Awe-inspiring Alto Adige

Filippo Magnani revels in the region that’s an Alpine paradise for wine lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. This September, I participated in the fourth edition of the Alto Adige Wine Summit. This rather new event is the largest of its kind that focuses on Alto Adige wines and has already drawn significant international attention. Organized by the Alto Adige Wine Consortium, the event hosted 97...
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Leaf roll, mealy bugs and more to come

Liz Sagues discovers the fascinating world of leaf roll virus and what Nic van Aarde, winemaker at Oldenburg Estate in Stellenbosch, and his colleagues are doing to combat it in a recent Let's talk about... session. She also looks forward at what's to come in 2024, and highlights some gems from 2023. The Circle's penultimate online presentation in 2023 answered a question that has long puzzled ma...
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Meet the Member: Alan Tardi

James Beard Award-winning wine writer Alan Tardi shares his fascinating story of how he moved on from being a dish washer at a restaurant in New York to opening a wine school in this interview with Amanda Barnes. He explains why, despite training in French cuisine, it was Italy that blew his mind, and shares his love affair with the wine country ever since.   How did you get into wine?  ...
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Back to the vinous future

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From Bordeaux to Beijing, witnessing bombing raids on Pauillac to involvement in early informatique – the story of a life well lived

Jane Anson marvels at the memoir of Bordeaux legend Jean-Michel Cazes, From Bordeaux to the Stars: The Reawakening of a Wine Legend, which she translated into English, with this piece written before his passing in June. One of the most dog-eared books on my shelves is a two-volume, closely typed history of the Médoc vineyards from the Middle Ages to the mid-20th century. Written by French geograp...
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Retailers reach agreement in reducing bottle weights

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Tools of the trade: road testing Kurt Zalto’s Josephine glasses in the world’s hardest wine exam

Amanda Barnes shares her experience of taking the Master of Wine practical exam, and reveals her weapon of choice to tackle it — a wine glass with a special kink. A version of this article was first published on Around The World in 80 Harvests. The practical part of the Master of Wine exam is one of the hardest undertakings I have ever experienced. It is not only an intense academic experience, b...
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L’ Acadie Blanc bubbling away nicely on North Atlantic peninsula

Nathalie Spielmann dives into Nova Scotian traditional method sparkling wines, made from its signature hybrid grape variety. Nova Scotia, a quaint Atlantic province of Canada, has many things going for it. The bustling harbour city of Halifax, the historic landmarks and villages, famous ships (like the Bluenose) and shipwrecks, undoubtedly the best lobster in the world, high tides, and picturesqu...
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