Bordeaux’s 2023 vintage is still to be tasted by many journalists and critics, yet there has already been price speculation ahead of an en primeur releases campaign expected to begin in May.  ‘Further price increases are off the table,’ said Liv-ex, a global marketplace for the trade, citing market conditions in a new report focusing on Bordeaux en primeur.  Debate about en primeur release prices is hardly new, and top Bordeaux can look relatively good value versus small-production fine wines from other regions. Still, core reasons for Liv-ex’s stance included weaker sentiment among ..read more

Matteo Santoiemma of I Parieti stands among the vines on his family farm. Italian wine is in full swing. While the leaders of the quality revolution of the 1980s and 1990s are progressively passing the baton to the next generation, new faces are also rising to prominence. Whether they are modernising family businesses or starting from scratch; whether they have studied oenology or have a different background – for all of them, the challenge today is the market, unstable and moody, marked by a radical change in eating habits and by a young public disaffected with wine. Scroll down for tasting n ..read more

Gamay harvest at Bachelder. Credit Bachelder Winery Winemakers and drinkers alike have embraced Gamay for its versatility, as well as its vibrant acidity and juicy fruit flavours, boosting the grape’s popularity to an all-time high. Renowned in Beaujolais, where half of the grape’s 30,000 global hectares are grown, its best expression comes from cool climate regions, where the grape ripens early. It’s no surprise, therefore, that it’s finding its North American home in Canada. But where it was once predominantly used and viewed as a blending grape, producers today are increasingly focusing on ..read more

Tenuta Fratini in Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast is swiftly making a name for itself. There is a first time even for the greatest professionals, and the debut in Tuscany’s prestigious Bolgheri appellation of one of the wine world’s true authorities is creating much anticipation. Eric Boissenot, consultant to the greatest châteaux in Bordeaux (Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Mouton Rothschild, and Léoville Las Cases to mention but a few) is overseeing Tenuta Fratini – an ambitious new project aiming to positioning itself at the top of this Italian denomination. Scroll down for notes and score ..read more

Bruno Clair. That the full story of the domaine is not widely known must be down to the modest nature of Bruno Clair and his native village of Marsannay, but wine lovers with a sense of Burgundian history will see the domaine for what it is: one of the region’s truly top-rank estates. Just as it is likely only a matter of time before the INAO (Institut National des Appellations d’Origine) approves the first premier crus for Marsannay, it is equally likely that thirsty Burgundy lovers will soon discover the delightful wines of this exceptional domaine. Scroll down to see Charles Curtis MW’s tas ..read more

Celebrate Tannat Day on 14th April, recognising Uruguay’s diverse styles of Tannat This year, Uruguay celebrates 150 years of mastering Tannat. Though it might seem effortless now, taming the rustic Basque variety – one of the most tannic grapes in the world – was quite the challenge for this small South American country. Over generations, Uruguayan winemakers have more than risen to that challenge: the great diversity of expressions produced today demonstrates how they have not only mastered this powerful grape, but finessed it into multiple, versatile styles, each worthy of championing. With ..read more

This recently listed Sonoma wine country property offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape thanks to its wrap-around porch. It also comes with a 0.8-hectare (two acres) Syrah vineyard, according to the listing by Holly Bennett of Sotheby’s International Realty’s Sonoma brokerage, adding that the estate offers the ‘epitome of wine country living’. Photo credit: Nic Meerholz/SeaTimber Media for Sotheby’s International Realty. Its Syrah vines could make an interesting hobby project for a prospective buyer, although an asking price of $9.4m (£7.5m) does also put this estate firmly at ..read more

Ichiro Akuto, the founder of Chichibu Distillery Picture Sandy Hyslop, a jovial chap in comfortable middle age, bent over to thrust his nose into an empty wooden cask. He has travelled 32km just to sniff out any sour or musty notes – and thankfully found none to worry him. Instead it smells soft and sweet like a joiner’s workshop, with just a whiff of smoke from the char inside. Hyslop is director of blending and inventory for Chivas Brothers, so you’ll find him sniffing away like this quite regularly. ‘We have to nose every empty cask before any whiskies even go near it to make sure it’s ..read more

Domaine Ogereau vineyards near the river Layon. If the name Anjou doesn’t ring any bells, it’s probably because until recently, there has not been very much that’s Decanter-worthy to talk about. This productive Loire region is known more for its inexpensive semi-sweet rosés than anything else. ‘People expect high-volume, standardised wine from Anjou,’ says winemaker Antoine Pouponneau of Grange Saint-Sauveur, who opts to produce his (excellent) Anjou wines under the humble Vin de France label. But things have not always been this way… Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for 20 Chenin B ..read more

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti wines featured in Sotheby's' 'Monumental Cellar' sale in September 2023. Sotheby’s said its global wine and spirits auction sales hit a record $159m (£127m) in 2023, $1m above the total achieved in the previous year. It’s the third consecutive year that Sotheby’s has reported record wine and spirits auction sales, despite separate data showing that fine wine prices have fallen on the secondary market in the past 12 months. Sotheby’s said the number of auction lots offered in 2023 rose by 17% year-on-year. It also highlighted how its wine and spirits department has e ..read more