Dr Adrianna Catena – of Catena Zapata and El Enemigo – is not just a winemaker, but a practicing historian. We sat down with her to talk about how wine shaped South America’s social landscape and how water conservation and sustainable irrigation practices will secure its future. The most famous vineyard in Argentina is named…
MENTIONED IN THIS POST: -Louis Roederer -Krug -Dominus -Château Montrose -Château Léoville Poyferré Now that a new year is upon us, it’s the perfect time to refresh your collection with some exciting wines. This year, there are dozens of top-quality vintages to get excited about, from well-known Old-World estates to up-and-coming New-World producers. In this…
The best Chablis wine has a fairytale quality to it. Crafted by master vintners in a remote subregion of Burgundy in northern France, the subtle flavors and aromas of these light-bodied white wines gently guide you on a journey through the idyllic green hills and breezy vineyards of this picturesque area. They may not be as famous as their Champagne neighbors to the north, but there is nothing quite like the fresh, airy purity of a quality Chablis wine.
From the first bottling of Tignanello back in the 1970s, Super Tuscan wines have played the part of the rebellious youths of the Italian wine industry, daring to step outside of conventional prescriptions of what Italian wine should be to deliver bold, powerful, unforgettable experiences. Born of necessity in the same region that sparked the Renaissance centuries before, Super Tuscan wines were created as part of an effort to revitalize Italy’s wine industry—and they continue to surprise and delight us to this day.
MENTIONED IN THIS POST: -2013 Gaja Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo -2016 Gaja Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo -2015 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto -2001 Alfredo & Giovanni Roagna Barbaresco Crichet Pajé -2000 Domenico Clerico Barolo Per Cristina -1990 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate Riserva To those unfamiliar with them, Barbaresco wine and Barolo wine might…
The Saint-Émilion appellation of Bordeaux has an incredibly long history of winemaking and a sterling reputation among serious wine collectors. This region of the Right Bank is known for producing rich, lush Merlot and floral, tannic Cabernet Franc with spectacular aging potential. The complexity of the wines and their high secondary market value is on par with the Right Bank’s other famous appellation, Pomerol, and many wine enthusiasts consider these two regions to produce some of the very best Bordeaux. In other words, if you want to build a truly impressive Bordeaux collection, seeking out the best wine from Saint-Émilion is a good start.
Bordeaux is a formidable red in more ways than one. Championed as one of the greatest of reds when it comes to taste, aroma, texture, and color, Bordeaux is a wine that other wines aspire to become: complex, memorable, and, quite simply, delicious. Whether a first-growth Bordeaux or a fifth, the region itself commands respect—and rightly so.
Fine Champagne doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. In fact, although Champagne has a reputation as one of the most expensive types of wine in the world, it is actually very fairly priced when you consider how much time and effort goes into producing it. In this guide to the best Champagne under $200, you’ll find dozens of bottles that will make excellent additions to your collection. Whether you’re planning a special dinner party with friends or you’d like to start an affordable Champagne collection from scratch, these wines are the perfect choice.
What do Harlan Estate, Opus One, and Screaming Eagle have in common? All of these iconic producers own vineyards in the Oakville American Viticultural Area (AVA). The Oakville AVA is a small California winegrowing region located at the center of the Napa Valley that is famous for its production of top-quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends. Some of the world’s most expensive and sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon labels like Harlan Estate and Morlet Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Passionnément are made in the tiny Oakville region.
Without a doubt, the best region in Oregon for growing top-tier Pinot Noir is the Willamette Valley. This relatively cool, dry American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in the northwest region of the state produces wines that are perfectly balanced in virtually every way. The best Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is deeply concentrated in flavor, yet also soft and graceful. It’s earthy, but also sweetly fruity and full of bright red berry flavors like cranberry and cherry. Some wine critics even compare Willamette Valley Pinot Noir to top-quality Burgundy.
Sonoma Valley in California has earned a stellar reputation for producing some of the most fascinating wines in the New World. An incredible array of wines is made here, from refined and elegant Pinot Noir that dances delicately on the palate to robust and hedonistic Zinfandel that’s full of unctuous fruit flavors. What makes this region so diverse? More than a dozen microclimates and terroirs are packed into this small county. There are 18 Sonoma wine appellations (called American Viticultural Areas, or AVAs for short), each producing different styles of wine. No two appellations are exactly alike.
Spain is home to many passionate producers that pride themselves on crafting opulent styles of wine with impressive aging potential. From the concentrated and oaked wines of Rioja to the aromatic and polished wines of Ribera del Duero, Spain has so much to offer. Vinfolio’s resident Master of Wine Adam Lapierre says that more collectors should get excited about Spanish wines, as many wines from this country are growing more valuable and delicious every year.