Features

The wines of Terrasses du Larzac 2023

by  |  31-01-2023

I’ve wanted to do a full, region-wide tasting of the Terrasses du Larzac appellation in the Languedoc region of Southern France for quite some time. Officially approved only in 2014, they’re one of the newest... more »

Terrasses du Larzac without the appellation

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Given Languedoc’s size and lack of truly finite appellations, it’s curious how many wineries will use various levels of classification to place their wines as they have the flexibility to do so. This is often... more »

In The Glass: Château de Gragnos – Lou Daro 2021

by  |  23-01-2023

While not Burgundy, Languedoc is one of the more complex regions in Southern France what with about 25 appellations covering its lands. Given that it’s about 140km long, there’s often a manner of talking about... more »

There was never only one nouveau

by  |  16-12-2022

Hot on the heals of the Catalan vi novell wines, I received another nouveau sample. Yes, this one is from France and yes, it’s very much nouveau being a young, 2022 wine. But it’s not... more »

New massive wine fraud case tried in Bordeaux

by  |  30-10-2022

It has been reported that on Thursday, 27 October, five people were tried in a court in Bordeaux for the falsification of 34,587 hectoliters of French wine (equivalent to around 4.6 million bottles). The wine... more »

Five white wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape to know right now

by  |  21-09-2022

Who would opt for a Pinot Noir from Coteaux Champenois instead of a zippy, bubbling Champagne? Are there any people who even know that Syrah from Rueda instead of Verdejo is an option? Or maybe... more »

In The Glass: Domaine de Bila-Haut – L’Esquerda 2018

by  |  22-07-2022

My fascination with Roussillon, France isn’t just because it’s the land that was historically Catalunya Nord (Northern Catalunya), but more that it’s neither here nor there. It’s most definitely not Languedoc (to which it is... more »

In The Glass: Drouhin Vaudon Chablis 2018

by  |  24-06-2022

It’s not a terribly bold statement to say that blind tasting is challenging. In addition to the wealth of wines around the world and countless ways to vinify the same variety in a different manner,... more »

The wines of AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022

by  |  31-05-2022

I’d missed that view of the “Pope’s new castle” seen above. It’s striking in how it lords over the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, making for spectacular photos whether day or night. My longing for it was... more »

Bordeaux 2021, En Primeur

by  |  18-05-2022

After three years away, the world’s wine professionals landed upon Bordeaux this spring for the (previously) annual En Primeur campaign covering the 2021 vintage. The general takeaway? Great estates made great wines. All others, take... more »