by Sean Ludford | Apr 5, 2020 | Wine
The New World wines inspired by the great wines from France’s Rhone region have earned a loyal following. Syrah and Viognier used to get all of the attention but adventurous wine lovers are discovering that there is so much more from the Rhone that is worth knowing. With that said, Viognier and Syrah clearly rule the roost. Acres of Viognier outpace the sum of...
by Sean Ludford | Oct 15, 2019 | Wine
Source: https://harpers.co.uk/ By Lisa Riley Beaujolais has declared the 2019 vintage a small harvest – half the size of the previous year, due to “climate hazards”. Spells of frost in the spring, drought, and several hailstorms had all caused disruption in the vineyard and as such, the 2019 vintage was currently displaying “substantial diversity”, from the north to the south, said Inter Beaujolais as...
by Sean Ludford | Jun 10, 2019 | Wine
SARAH ZHANG – The Atlantic It’s been genetically unchanged for at least 900 years. In a medieval cesspit in central France, archaeologists dug up a small, hard grape seed. They believed it to be 900 years old, based on the artifacts found nearby. When geneticists crushed up the grape seed, extracted its DNA, and compared with modern grapes, they found a perfect genetic match...
by Sean Ludford | Jan 30, 2019 | Wine
If many wine publications are to be believed, Sagrantino is “probably Italy’s most tannic red wine.” This is a heavy burden for any varietal to bear. We find Sagrantino to be one of Italy’s most nuanced, while undeniably intense, wine grapes with chewy but well-polished tannins and gorgeous red and black fruit flavors. Sagrantino, like many native Italian grapes, has an uncertain history. It’s...
by Sean Ludford | May 16, 2018 | Wine
The majority of the great old Port houses of the Douro have spoken and 2016 is indeed a vintage. The declaration of a vintage year in the world of Port is still a marking of an achievement and by extension cause for celebration. Rightly so the collective Port producers have been judicious with their declarations naming it a vintage year three to four times...
by Sean Ludford | Dec 13, 2017 | Random, Wine
Where do we start with wine recommendations and just as important – where does it end? Wine, like food, is a matter of taste. Luckily we have so many wines to choose from made in a wide array of styles and offered at prices from modest to absurd. Do yourself a favor and take on pass on the absurdly prices wines. This year I...
