Brunello di Montalcino 2018

Late-season conditions led to considerable variations in style and quality in 2018, with harvest dates and winemaking style proving critical. Yet the best bottlings are fragrant, fresher wines that will be ideal for near- to mid-term enjoyment

Morellino di Scansano

A coastal freshness typifies many of the Sangiovese-based reds from this less-famed southern DOCG of Tuscany, a region full of big-name impetus as well as local personality

GET INTO GAVI

Location and geography make this high Piedmont region a haven for characteristically crisp, dry and minerally whites, perfect for summer drinking, be they young or bottle-aged Riservas

20 whites from 20 regions

All over the country, Italy's unparalleled cast of grape varieties produce an array of top-quality white wines worthy of greater acclaim than they often receive

An Italian LOVE AFFAIR

The history runs deep and personal between the winelands of the US west coast and the great, long-established wine dynasties of Italy. As perfectly shown in the fascinating stories of the three partnerships that follow...

Northern Rhône 2021

In a year blighted by extremes of bad weather, truly great wines are few and far between. Expert guidance is crucial in this tough vintage, so here are 40 recommendations selected from the small number of excellent wines which made the best of the 2021 conditions

Cellar disposal

Selling off your prized stash or investment portfolio of wines can be nervewracking, gut-wrenching, highly rewarding and fun - or even all in turn. So how do you get the best deal you can? Here's a full guide from a trade insider

FIVE OF THE BEST Premium vodkas

The arrival of premium vodka can be traced back to the 1990s, when the category's overall popularity had gone stratospheric. Led by new brands such as Belvedere and Grey Goose, these spirits came in sleek, eye-catching bottles, and captured the imagination of drinkers around the globe.

Distilled

Your guide to the latest trends in spirits and cocktails

DARK RUM revolution

People who like rum tend to really love it. The unrestrained nature of the spirit means that the pace of innovation among producers is fast, with new cask-ageing techniques and flavour styles emerging all the time, notably among the dark rums

Catalonia's exciting winemakers

Independent thinking and a fearless vision characterise this region in Spain's far northeast, where many producers are pushing the boundaries in Spanish wine. Meet 14 at the forefront of the action

6 REGIONS DISHES WINES

Join us on a region-by-region trip through some of the very best food and wine Spain has to offer

RIAS BAIXAS

Spain's 'top left corner' stands out for its verdant countryside and dramatic Atlantic coastline, its calling card the increasingly popular Albariño whites. Here are the essentials on the region, its producers and wines

EXPLORING SPAIN Day trips for wine lovers

North to south, Spain truly does have something for everyone - from its monumental and groundbreaking architecture to charming villages, splendid beaches and rugged countryside

Victoria Mulu-Munywoki

Kenya-based sommelier, consultant and retailer

Blistered green bean tacos with tomato pico & toasted almonds

Meat-free, the dynamic flavours of fresh veg, herbs, nuts and chillies call for an equally fresh and fruity dry white to bring it all together

Mexico’s other agave spirits

There’s more to Mexican spirits than tequila, so start exploring the territory of mezcal, raicilla and bacanora and discover a whole new dimension to the agave plant

Willamette Valley PINOT GRIS

Pinot Gris has found the perfect home in Oregon’s well-known Willamette Valley region, but it’s only now starting to reach its full potential – in affordable, easy-drinking styles as well as more serious, ageworthy bottlings

País in Chile

For centuries it was written off as a variety destined only for rustic wines, but today País is enjoying a new lease of life in southern Chile. And some much needed TLC from a few key winemakers is revealing its full potential

Uruguay’s COASTAL WHITES

Over the past two decades, white wine has been gaining ground in this red-dominated country, as inventive winemakers explore different terroirs – and varieties – to great (and delicious) effect

A fork in the wine road

Wineries across Napa and Sonoma are elevating the average tasting experience by pairing wines with chef-driven, multi-course menus served in spectacular settings. We’ve picked out 10 of the best to try

Alejandro Vigil

Inside a professional’s everyday life | Winemaking director, and Wines of Argentina president

Rasteau’s NEW LOOK

Thanks to changes in both consumer tastes and the climate, a gentler, more considered style of winemaking has led to a fresher, more elegant interpretation of this former powerhouse

The rise of CALIFORNIA CABERNET FRANC

Move over Cabernet Sauvignon. The savoury, herbal intrigue of Cabernet Franc is now the grape on everyone’s lips in California. Here we chart its history and ascendancy in the Golden State, recommending 20 top wines to try from a comprehensive tasting of 60 wines

French influence in ARGENTINA

From the 1850s until today, a host of innovative, risk-taking French winemakers and entrepreneurs have crossed the Atlantic to make their mark on Argentinian wine

A welcome return to our global judging panels

It was the DWWA’s first time back at full strength since 2019, and it broke all records. An astonishing 18,244 wines were assessed by 237 judges, but the selection process was as tough as ever. Our Co-Chair explains the process of awarding the sought-after medals

Hermione Ireland

Wine book publisher, Académie du Vin Library | Inside a professional’s everyday life

FIVE OF THE BEST: REPOSADO TEQUILAS

Tequila has different age classifications – blanco, reposado, añejo and extra añejo – depending on how much time the spirit spends in barrel. Blancos spend no time in oak, while añejos spend at least one year, and extra añejos a minimum of three years. Reposado translates as ‘rested’, and is defined as being aged in oak for at least two months but less than a year. This means reposados are versatile tequilas that you can either use in cocktails or sip neat.

Predicted growth for UK wine due to climate change

A warmer climate may further boost UK wine production in the next two decades and Pinot Noir is a grape variety to watch, new ‘near-term’ modelling has found.

Walla Walla Valley for wine lovers

Mainly in Washington State but crossing into Oregon, too, the Walla Walla Valley AVA is an exciting place to explore, with a wide choice of tasting rooms to visit and places to eat