Winery

Snowing at Petrus!

On 10 January 2024, light powdery snow covered the 11.3-hectare vineyard of Petrus In some 30 years of visiting the Pomerol great, it had never happened. Until last month. Wednesday 10 January 2024 to be exact. It was SNOWING at PETRUS! Although light, the snow was more than a flurry wisping across the Right …

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Petrus Under Snow ❄️

Wednesday 10 January 2024 was special. A light snow furry was wisping across Saint-Julien and the rest of the Left Bank as our group left BEYCHEVELLE and the Gironde, heading for the Dordogne on the Right Bank. PETRUS was our destination. When we arrived, a winter wonderland greeted us. In …

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A Great Riesling is Born

DOMANE ROLAND CHAN, the name, is not what it seems. I don’t mean the spelling of “Domaine” rendered as “Domane” in  German. Rather that the name may allude to it belonging to someone called “Roland Chan”. “Roland Chan” is a combination of the names Roland Müksch and that of his wife Dr Sharon …

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Chateau Pichon Baron • A New Era

CHATEAU PICHON BARON ushers in a new era following lengthy, meticulous renovations. Already one of the Médoc’s most ravishing edifices, the Pauillac Super Second Growth now boasts a new tasting room with panoramic views of some of Bordeaux’s greatest vineyards. There’s also a new reception area to welcome wine lovers …

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Chateau Boutisse Promoted

Marc Milhade assumed responsibility (from his father Xavier) the winemaking of Chateau Boutisse in 2005, a milestone vintage we will be savouring Friday 3 November 2023 Chateau Boutisse This Friday 3 November 2023, I shall be collecting Marc Milhade from Changi Airport. The Frenchman will be arriving from Cebu. Fingers …

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Royal Visit To Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte

King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte in Martillac, Bordeaux, 22 September 2023. The Graves Grand Cru in the Pessac-Leognan AOC was chosen by the king for its principles of organic farming and biodynamics, a subject close to his heart. King Charles and Queen Camilla were received …

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37th Medoc Marathon • Chateau Mauvesin Barton

The 37th Edition of the Médoc Marathon was run on Saturday 2 September 2023. Created in 1985, it is held every year in September. The marathon did not take place in 2020 and 2021 because of Covid.  The Médoc Marathon goes through the vineyards of the Left Bank of Bordeaux.  …

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High Expectations – And Temperatures – In the Languedoc

Owners of Mas de Daumas Gassac. The Guibert brothers with their mother Veronique Guibert de la Vaissiere HIGH EXPECTATIONS – AND TEMPERATURES – IN THE LANGUEDOCPHOTOS BY COURTESY OF MAS DE DAUMAS  The 2023 Harvest started a week ago in France in earnest. With high expectations and soaring temperatures. A …

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Primo Franco • Visionary & Revolutionary of Prosecco

The House of Nino Franco or Cantina Nino Franco is regarded by aficionados of Italian wine as perhaps the finest, most dedicated producer of Prosecco. The fact the vineyards, cellars, winery, offices and a guesthouse named Villa Barberina are up in the hills of Valdobbiadene in north-east Italy further attests to their being a premier producer of Prosecco. Founded …

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Best in Show • Decanter World Wine Awards 2023

Maison Gustave Lorentz  Vielles Vignes Riesling Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim 2019 has scooped a coveted Best in Show top prize in Decanter World Wine Awards 2023. The win is more special for the fact the Alsace producer is located at 91 Rue des Vignerons in Bergheim itself. The story book fortified village is famed for …

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