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Mags Janjo
Importer, educator and consultant
The man who sold the New World
Oz Clarke’s arrival on the UK’s wine writing and TV presenting scene in the mid-1980s coincided perfectly with New World wines exploding into the awareness of the British consumer – something he could well take quite a bit of the credit for. He explains why the wines of the New World made such an impact, on him and us
Peter Gago
For the self-deprecating orchestrator of the world’s most famous range of Australian reds, Penfolds, entry into the Decanter Hall of Fame underlines his status as one of the New World’s foremost winemakers
Crush it
A handful of tequileros are revisiting traditional production methods in an effort to create more characterful spirits. Meet the volcanic stone wheel making all the difference
‘Now is a good time to be a wine drinker in the UK'
Bobby’s of Bournemouth is back! This fine institution first opened its doors in 1915 and now, after nigh-on 50 years of being a Debenhams, it returns with a modern twist.
Roasted radicchio with beans
This rich yet light dish combines smoky radicchio with garlic-infused beans and sweet toasted hazelnuts, pairing perfectly with structured whites and earthy reds
The 2021 winners
‘It’s clear that Covid-19 has changed wine retailing forever,’ reflects competition chairman Peter Richards MW. ‘All those companies named here have risen to what was a game-changing challenge and overcome it in style. Categories such as Online, Newcomer, Subscription and Virtual Wine Experience were all fiercely competitive this year – and indicative of a healthy, vibrant, innovative wine retail sector that’s looking to the future. Wine is one of life’s great joys and these retailers excel in the business of pleasure. Now more than ever this is something that deserves recognising – and celebrating.’
Dr Axel Marchal
For the first time, we’re complementing our Hall of Fame award with a brand new category recognising an up-and-coming talent who will make a real difference to the future of wine
Chianti Rùfina
Sangiovese vines love the fresh air and bright conditions in this hilly country to the north of the headline-grabbing Classico zone. While it may be lesser-known, Chianti Rùfina offers quality, characterful red wines of superb value and great consistency
Olly Smith
Wine broadcaster, author, columnist
A matter of TASTE
Think vodka is a bland, flavourless spirit? Think again. With producers focusing on provenance and terroir, vodka is reinventing itself as a characterful choice for connoisseurs
In (& around) fair Verona
Many of northern Italy’s key wine-growing regions are to be found between the city of Verona and stunning Lake Garda. Our guide to the area takes in wineries, ancient monuments, top restaurants and more, as we pass through illustrious wine zones and historic villages and towns
2020 en primeur How US tastings went digital
With global travel shut down and a world in lockdown, Bordeaux’s futures campaign in the US had to get creative. With an ocean between wine and critics, how did the tastings work?
Spotlight: Champagne - Top blends hit the mark
Pick the right names and vintages, and Champagne can offer solid returns, as seen in a sound market performance in the early part of 2021
Our top 25 sparkling crémants
If you haven’t discovered the connoisseur’s fizz yet, here are 25 sparkling reasons to explore France’s wide range of deliciously on-trend, bottle-fermented crémant styles
Portugal's power couples
Meet three winemaking couples who have put their wines on the map by working together, both as a lockdown necessity and a permanent partnership
Tamworth BELLY RIBS
The most popular starter at London steakhouse chain Hawksmoor is a great summer dish to recreate at home. Serve it with one of our wine matches for pork perfection
MY TOP 20: VIOGNIER BEYOND THE RHONE
Have you discovered it yet? Its peachy, food-friendly versatility has made Viognier something of a cult-favourite among the Anything-But-Chardonnay circles, but what are the best-value options? Fiona Beckett picks her favourites from beyond its home region
Plan your wine weekend: 4 GREAT EUROPEAN SHORT BREAKS
A romantic escape, a weekend away with friends… Fiona Sims provides some much-needed inspiration for 2021 after the cancellation of so many travel plans last year, picking four vibrant European destinations that wine lovers will love
THE LOW- AND NO- REVOLUTION
The rapid rise of zero-abv spirits has laid the foundation for a whole new category of drinks. Julie Sheppard finds out what’s driving the change and recommends which bottles to buy
PIC ST-LOUP
Dominated by the tilted limestone block of Pic St-Loup itself, this appellation on the cooler, wetter eastern side of the Languedoc AP region is noted for its fresh and fragrant wines, with Syrah the star. Andrew Jefford charts its progress and predicts a bright future
SULPHUR DIOXIDE IN WINE: the great debate
The use of sulphur dioxide as a preservative in winemaking is a contentious topic, and it elicits strong opinions from producers and wine lovers alike. Rupert Joy gives an overview of the issue, weighing the pros and cons of an SO2-free approach
Jane Anson
‘Cyber-attacks against drinks companies have been gathering steam’
OREGON PINOT NOIR
The Willamette Valley, with its distinctive soils and generally mild climate, has found great success with this temperamental, traditionally Burgundian variety. Charles Curtis MW shares his top selections
Distilled by Decanter
A new guide to the latest trends in spirits and cocktails.
GROSSET WINES
Four decades on, this pioneering Clare Valley producer’s commitment to making world-class Riesling is unwavering – a goal that’s led its founder to embrace biodynamics, blockchain projects and more. By David Sly
BURGUNDY 2019
After 16 days in Burgundy tasting 1,177 wines in all, Charles Curtis MW recommends 67 of his top-scoring whites and reds from this heat-affected but very well-received vintage
Lockdown Stories: View From The Vines
As our lives and horizons suddenly closed in around us, growing more limited in the year of Covid-19, it was perhaps difficult to appreciate what other people ‘out there’, elsewhere in the world, were experiencing and feeling. Peter Richards MW spoke to winemakers in six different nations to find out how they and their teams coped as events developed
Anniversary Buys: The Decanter Guide
Whether you’re toasting an 18th birthday with a birth-year Bordeaux or marking a golden wedding anniversary with a 50-year-old fizz, major milestones deserve a magnificent wine to match. Anthony Rose went in search of the best bottles to help your 2021 celebrations go with a bang
VIRGINIA STATE, USA
Virginia is a wine region that is beginning to see the fruits of its perseverance. Adventurous winemakers in this eastern state, close to Washington DC, have learned to adapt, and the proof is in a smartly deployed array of grapes and styles. Jason Tesauro takes a tour and highlights producers to watch and a selection of its distinctive wines to try