There's a short list of comments I hear when I tell people I am a wine critic for Wine Spectator.
At No. 1 is probably, "How do I get that job?" delivered with an eyes-widened look of enthusiasm as the speaker imagines themselves surrounded by bottles of wine all day long. But not far behind that, another favorite question is: "I'm going to [insert country or wine region] on vacation this summer. Can you recommend a winery for me to visit?" That one always makes me laugh, as I consider the tens of thousands of wineries scattered across the different wine regions in each of the countries in Europe whose wines I cover for the magazine (France, Italy, Portugal and Spain).
But even if a serious wine lover plans to base part of their vacation in an European wine region in order to explore its wines and vineyards, it's not always enough. Many Americans expect that once in the region, they'll be able to winery hop from place to place, sidling up to a tasting bar or sitting at a table to taste while they enjoy a scenic view over the vineyards. That's the California tasting experience that American wine fans are familiar with, but it's not the prevailing model in Europe.
This story is from the March 31, 2023 edition of Wine Spectator.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 31, 2023 edition of Wine Spectator.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Drouhin Expands its Burgundy Acreage
Maison Joseph Drouhin has purchased two estates in Burgundy, totaling nearly 50 acres of vineyards: Château de Chasselas in St.-Véran and the Rapet estate in St.-Romain.
Gallo Buys Notable Pinot Noir Player
America's largest wine company continues to expand, particularly with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Brad Pitt and the Perrin Family Get in the Gin Game
After a decade of building the Côtes de Provence-based Miraval brand together, Brad Pitt and Famille Perrin have decided to partner in the spirits industry with Gardener gin.
Jack Daniel's, Bad Spaniels and the Supreme Court
\"This case is about dog toys and whiskey, two items seldom appearing in the same sentence.\"
THE MARTINELLI STORY
LOVE SONOMA PINOT NOIR AND ZINFANDEL? THANK THE HARD WORK OF FIVE GENERATIONS OF THIS CALIFORNIA GRAPE-GROWING FAMILY
Exploration Brings Rewards
Part of the beauty of wine is the opportunity to expand horizons. Often there's also a value element to less-known wines.
2020 Cabernet Intel: Spottswoode
The Napa winery was able to thread the needle, with most of its harvest already fermenting before the smoke rolled in.
Paneer: A Simple Recipe to Make at Home
There's a lot to like about paneer, the fresh cheese that's a major staple of Indian cuisine.
Scientists Identify Byzantine Era Grapes
Archaeologists digging in the Negev desert in southern Israel have uncovered evidence of a booming wine industry dating back more than 1,500 years.
Château Haut-Brion Owner Buys Significant Wine Book Collection
In April 2022, Sonomabased antiquarian bookseller Ben Kinmont oversaw the sale of the Thackrey Library, a valuable collection of more than 700 tomes and documents assembled by California winemaker Sean Thackrey.
