Sebastian Warnier, head of viticulture in Chile for Santa Rita Estates, stands atop a hill that overlooks a fair part of the almost 600ha of vines planted by the group in Pumanque, a valley about 50km from Apalta, in Colchagua, just behind the coastal range, a mere 23km from the Pacific, whose cooling fogs and winds can enter through the wind-gap created by the mouth of the Nilahue River.
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Ana Sapungiu talks to Anne Krebiehl about Oddbins' new consumer-engagement "holiday wine" initiative and how the retailer is in double-digit growth
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Roberto Della Pietra talks to Anne Krebiehl about the exclusively sparkling offer at Tirage Champagne et Plats, opening in London in November
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You rarely meet pioneers in 2013, but in the wine world it is still possible to encounter people who broke new ground. To taste their wines is a privilege. Yesterday's vertical of Rippon Vineyards Pinot Noir with vintages going back to 1990, presented by Lea & Sandeman, was a taste of early Central Otago viticulture, the 1990 being only the second commercial vintage coming from this stunning vineyard on the shore of Lake Wanaka.
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Following the successful creation of eight DACs (Districtus Austriae Controllatus), an official classification designating origin, grape variety and flavour profile of the wine, the historic Wiener Gemischter Satz has become the latest DAC under Austrian wine law.
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Rollo Gabb, managing director of Journey's End Vineyards in Stellenbosch and first chairman of the Premium Independent Wineries of South Africa (PIWOSA) and co-founder Ken...
Read more...Cab is King - it was with that assertion that André van Rensburg, winemaker at South Africa's prestige estate Vergelegen, invited sommeliers and journalists to taste a vertical of his flagship wine "V" and seven barrel samples of 2012 wines that could - potentially - end up in the blend for the 2012 "V".
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Anne Krebiehl on 'comfort seaside food' and a wide drinks choice at the Anchor at Walberswick
Read more...Leading South African Chenin Blanc producer Kleine Zalze of Stellenbosch convened a "Chenin Blanc Style Council" over dinner at the Orrery last week.
Read more...Rarely have food and wine been so well matched as on Tuesday evening at Alyn Williams at the Westbury Hotel for the Neil McGuigan dinner, which presented 10 vintages of Hunter Valley Semillon from 2003 to 2012.
Read more...Another year, another en primeur campaign. No longer are these the heady days of feverish speculation - both the market and a comedown from the hailed 2009 and 2010 vintages have steered the situation back into the real world, where this strange and intricate market mechanism of courtiers, négociants and "la place" insists on existing for another year.
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Anne Krebiehl navigates the 99% Kiwi wine list at London's Providores and Tapa Room
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Anne Krebiehl catches up with the new wine team at Harrods and hears how the double act are looking to turn customers' heads in the wine aisles
Read more...The notion that Germans allegedly don't have a sense of humour was severely tested last Thursday night: Markus Schneider, a young winemaker from Germany's sunny Pfalz region, was in London to present his unusual wines alongside a specially designed menu at Vinoteca Marylebone.
Read more...Is it possible to discuss Californian Pinot Noir without mentioning the "S" word? Apparently not, since the packed audience at Monday's Cool Climate Pinot Noir Seminar, held at the California Annual Tasting in Westminster, was treated to a video message by Rex Pickett, author of the notorious Pinot flick Sideways.
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As a challenging harvest across Italy 'rocks the Pinot Grigio boat', now is the time to look towards the myriad indigenous alternatives, says Anne Krebiehl
Read more...You have to hand it to the Americans - when they take an idea and run with it, it's going to be bigger, better and faster. Premiere Napa Valley, or to call it by its full name "The Napa Valley Vintners Barrel Auction for the Wine Trade" is just that, a wine auction with bells on.
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Christopher Delalonde MS brings the classics to Boundary's wine list and pushes quality at an affordable price
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After a harvest shortfall in 2012, New Zealand may be struggling to cater for consumer demand, but winemakers are remaning positive and taking a long-term view, as Anne Krebiehl discovers
Read more...The suspension of disbelief - willing ourselves to be credulous is sometimes essential when we want to be entertained. When the entertainment is the launch of the 2002 vintage of Dom Pérignon Rosé in one of London's best small museums, we are easily persuaded to forego reality for a while.
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