A British-style grunt or cobbler consists of dumpling batter cooked in fruit on the stovetop. Think of the texture of Bisquick dumplings in soup. They blow up into doughy puffs that look wet on the outside, but are biscuit-like inside. You’d assume for dessert, one would use a dessert wine. But for the peaches to [Read More…]

Its color and flavor are the epitome of summer wine. But there’s more to rosé from Provence than its looks and taste. Explore the surprising diversity surrounding this pale pink charmer and find out why it should be enjoyed all year long. Wines discussed: @ 3: 15  Château la Vivonne 2017 Les Puechs Rosé (Côtes [Read More…]

My yard needed a lot of work this year. It was hot, dirty and laborious, the type of job I’d normally punctuate with a frosty-cold beer. Except that wasn’t what I craved. I wanted something with good acidity, bright fruit, maybe some herbal notes, nothing sweet. I wanted wine, and I wanted it cold. It’s [Read More…]

The days are long and hot, so it’s only natural fruity rosés and crisp white are the drink of choice. But sometimes, you just want a a glass of red. Why not reach for Merlot? A cross between Cabernet Franc and Magdeleine Noire des Charentes, Merlot is typically fuller in body (think milk). But we gathered a list [Read More…]

The former head of UNESCO has called on the wine industry to support proposals to create a new index that can measure climate change risk in World Heritage sites, from the slopes of Douro Valley to the vineyards of Burgundy. A view across Douro Valley. Climate change is the biggest risk to UNESCO World Heritage [Read More…]

Stephen Brook recently visited Gaja’s estate in Barbaresco, where he tasted verticals of their Costa Russi and Sorì San Lorenzo crus… High inter-row plantings in Gaja’s vineyards. Angelo Gaja has never had much time for conventional wisdom. He introduced barriques to age part of his Barbaresco in 1978, some years before a group of Barolo [Read More…]

Decanter.com spoke to English winemakers about this year’s vintage, following the heatwave across the UK… Nyetimber vineyard in Sussex. Several English winemakers have said that a summer heatwave has provided ‘near perfect’ conditions so far in 2018, helping to bury memories of damaging spring frosts in 2017 and also a cold start to this year. [Read More…]

Napa Valley. Known for world-renowned wineries, posh hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants, no other destination in America embodies aspirational wine travel like this sliver of northern California. One could drop thousands of dollars on an over-the top vacation here, but those on a budget can also sample its fruits. At its heart, Napa remains an agricultural [Read More…]

Following a wine trail around Old Dominion is an ideal way to sample local offerings while taking in the charming, colonial scenery. But there’s more to this countryside than grapevines and history. Check out these kooky pit stops as you taste your way along the Virginia wine hop. Illustration by Alyssa Nassner Virginia Mountains/Blue Ridge [Read More…]

Sarah Jane Evans MW is a vice-chair at the Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2018. Sarah Jane Evans MW Sarah Jane Evans MW Sarah Jane Evans MW is an award-winning journalist who began writing about wine in the 1980s. She started drinking Spanish wine as a student of classics and social and political sciences at Cambridge University. This [Read More…]

Andrew Jefford explores the perception of bitter flavours in wine…. ‘Modern humans relish “dangerous” bitter flavours’ Unpleasantly bitter and sour: that’s how new drinkers tend to find their first glass of red wine. Since most of us reach wine via soft drinks and fruit juices, we’re used to acidity: the strangeness of red wine is [Read More…]

Li Demei is a vice-chair in the Decanter Asia Wine Awards (DAWA) 2018. Li Demei Li Demei DecanterChina.com columnist Li Demei is an associate professor of wine tasting and oenology at Beijing Agriculture College, invited teacher at ESA Angers in France and consults for several vineyards in China. Training at Chateau Palmer, he holds a [Read More…]

Andrew Jefford is a vice-chair in the Decanter Asia Wine Awards (DAWA) 2018 Andrew Jefford Andrew Jefford Andrew Jefford contributes a column every month to Decanter magazine, and writes the widely-followed Jefford on Monday blog for Decanter.com. Jefford has been writing and broadcasting about wine (as well as about food, whisky, travel and perfume) since [Read More…]

As technological advances make it easier to deal with variable weather conditions, Jane Anson assesses the impact of hot and cool vintages in Bordeaux and offers advice on what to buy – whatever the weather… The Bordeaux barometer: Cool vs hot vintages When you first learn about Bordeaux, you are told one very simple rule: [Read More…]

Shinya Tasaki, a renowned and award-winning sommelier from Tokyo, is a vice-chair in the Decanter Asia Wine Awards (DAWA). Shinya Tasaki Shinya Tasaki Shinya Tasaki is the President of the Japanese Sommelier Association and the A.S.I. Best Sommelier of the World 1995. He is the only non-European national ever to win the title of the [Read More…]

Poh Tiong Ch’ng is a vice-chair in the Decanter Asia Wine Awards (DAWA) 2018. Poh Tiong Ch’ng A lawyer by training, Poh Tiong Ch’ng published the world’s first Chinese Bordeaux Guide in 2000. Ch’ng also writes columns in Wine Life and RVF China. For nearly 20 years, he has been consultant to FairPrice and Finest, Singapore’s largest supermarket chain. [Read More…]

Jeannie Cho Lee MW is a vice chair in the Decanter Asia Wine Awards (DAWA) 2018. Jeannie Cho Lee MW Jeannie Cho Lee MW Jeannie Cho Lee MW is an author, wine critic, judge and educator as well as the first Asian Master of Wine. A contributing editor of Decanter, she is also a Professor [Read More…]

When choosing wines for summer barbeques, outdoor parties or impromptu picnics, it’s easy to fall in the habit of picking the same bottle over and over. But summer is a time for exploration. So to help spice things up, we’ve chosen our favorite whites and reds from around the world. These may not be the [Read More…]

While there’s nothing like rosé in the summer, if you’re outside enjoying wine on a warm evening, chances are there’s a grill a stone’s throw away. Hearty summer barbecue fare may mean it’s time to put down the pink and pick up a wine with a little more body, fruit and tannins. For your next [Read More…]