A Sommelier’s Mission: Elevating Mexican Wine in Puebla’s Mural
A single sparkling wine can elevate *chile en nogada* to new heights. Jonathan Robles Bravo is redefining Mexican wine through bold pairings and deep regional roots.
Franklin Chiang’s Bunch Reimagines Natural Wine as Shanghai’s Cool Kid Culture
Shanghai’s natural wine scene is being reshaped by a former luxury giant who turned his back on big brands to host a cult event. Bunch, now a cultural staple, turns wine into a lifestyle, drawing crowds who dress for the vibe—not the label.
Australia’s Chardonnay Dominates Global Showdown
Australia’s Chardonnay upended global expectations, claiming top honors at the Greatest Chardonnay Showdown with Tasmania’s Tolpuddle Vineyard leading the charge. England’s Danbury Ridge followed closely, proving the UK’s Crouch Valley can rival Burgundy and California in quality and style.
Champagne Goustan NV, Val Frison: A Forgotten Vintage Resurfaces
A forgotten 2018 vintage resurfaces, its RN18 code hinting at a rare, maturing legacy. A steel teaspoon’s ghost lingers on the nose, while the palate dances between wet gravel and French toast with strawberries.
Phylloxera Has Reshaped the Yarra Valley’s Future
Phylloxera is rewriting the Yarra Valley’s wine future, devouring 10% of vineyards at half the European speed. Winemakers are turning the slow burn into a quiet revolution, replanting with climate-resilient clones and building a new industry framework.
Toro’s Ancient Vines Face a Solar Overhaul
Solar panels are replacing centuries-old *Tinto de Toro* vines, with landowners earning **€2,000 per hectare** over 20 years—far more than grape sales. Once-thriving vineyards now sit beneath black glass, reshaping Spain’s oldest Tempranillo landscapes.
Les Vieilles Roussanne 2021: Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s Hidden Gem
A white wine that defies expectations, Les Vieilles Roussanne 2021 marries honeyed pear and wooded whispers with a saline finish that lingers like a secret. In a region known for bold reds, this Roussanne offers refined texture and layered complexity, proving power isn’t the only path to greatness.
Charmes De Kirwan Margaux 2022: A Bordeaux That Drinks Like Summer
At €35, this Margaux feels like a luxury vacation without the passport control. It’s a summer sipper with raspberries, roses, and a brightness that makes you question why you ever settled for anything less.
A 27-Year-Old CdP Defies Time: The 1999 Cuvée Des Cadettes
A 27-year-old CdP defies time, its spicy finish lingering like a secret shared over a rare dinner. Once thought past its prime, this bottle reveals a rare, alive expression of place, evolving with grace and depth.
SC Pannell 2016 Adelaide Hills Nebbiolo
A Nebbiolo that evolves from leather and tobacco to redcurrant and raspberry, shifting like a well-worn record with every sip. It defies stillness, revealing layers of fruit and tannin that deepen with time, offering a rare, alive expression of terroir.