Latest news with #wine
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
The historic village with rustic charm that's home to Kent's ‘original vineyard'
If you're looking for a village where you can taste wine, see beautiful countryside views and soak up the history – this village is just 90 minutes from south east London. Rich in timber-framed houses and surrounded by the rolling hills of the 'Weald of Kent', Biddenden's history dates back as early as the 10th century according to records. Biddenden's history dates back as early as the 10th century. (Image: Barry Marsh/Flickr) Just 90 minutes from London by car or by train to Headcorn via London Bridge, this pretty Kent village near the busy town of Ashford is a worthy contender to visit for a day. The town is rich in historic houses and charming cottages that you can see along its Main Street, which is considered one of the UK's 'prettiest' according to the Parish Council. This pretty Kent village near the busy town of Ashford is a worthy contender to visit for a day. (Image: John K Thorne/Flickr) The village itself has a rather interesting tradition which dates to around the year 1100, marked by the birth of two conjoined twin sisters – Elisa and Mary. The sisters both died at aged 34, but even in death they had a resounding impact on the village for over 400 years after, as land left to the village helped to earn a steady income that went towards those in need. As part of the town's longstanding tradition, one day every Easter the town hosts a huge celebration where bread and cheese is distributed to local widows and pensioners, and biscuits are distributed to spectators bearing an effigy to the pair. The village itself has a rather interesting tradition , marked by the birth of two conjoined twin sisters – Elisa and Mary. (Image: John K Thorne/Flickr) But you can still see homages to the twins around the village, including the wrought iron sign taking pride of place on the green. The village is also home to Kent's oldest commercial vineyard, which was first established n the late 1960s. The village is home to Kent's oldest commercial vineyard, which was first established n the late 1960s. (Image: Biddenden Vineyards) You can visit the vineyard spanning 22 acres and try from their range of award-winning wines and ciders, including varieties like Pinot Noir and Ortega Demi-Sec. Guided tours run between May and September, where for £27.50 you can opt to join a tour finishing with a tasting of three of their wines. You can visit the vineyard spanning 22 acres and try from their range of award-winning wines and ciders. (Image: Biddenden Vineyards) Walking around the village itself you'll come across many historic gems including Vane Court – a 15th century house that was a royal residence for King Rama VII of Thailand. But you can also eat in one of the village's historic treasures too, as The West House is situated within a 16th century weaver's house and opened its doors in 2002, offering a seasonally changing menu. But if it's more a cosy pub you're after, The Red Lion is an example of a charming country pub with wooden timber frames and a colourful beer garden to sit in. You can easily spend a day in the village wandering its streets and nearby walking spots, but if you fancy heading deeper into Kent you'll find a number of historic houses nearby like Sissinghurst Castle and Scotney Castle, both owned by The National Trust.
Forbes
14 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Chianti Classico's Evolution: How Sangiovese Reflects Its Land
Vineyards in the Chianti Classico area are colored under the light of the sunset during the autumn ... More season. Greve in Chianti, Italy. Understanding how a wine region evolves—vintage after vintage—is never simple. Grapes reflect not only weather, but also farming shifts, winemaking choices, and cultural change. For a grape like Sangiovese, whose character is exquisitely tuned to its environment, that evolution can be even more revealing. And in Chianti Classico, one of Italy's most historic regions, we're seeing a quiet but meaningful shift: producers leaning into transparency, elevating quality, and allowing the voice of Sangiovese to speak with more precision than ever before. That's where the experts, and the annual rhythm of major regional tastings, come in. For Chianti Classico, that moment happens every February at Anteprime di Toscana, when an unparalleled range of producers gather to pour newly bottled (and often not-yet-bottled) wines for journalists, sommeliers, importers, and trade professionals. It's one of the rare opportunities to taste hundreds of wines side by side, providing a comprehensive snapshot of both the current vintage and where the region may be heading. It usually takes some time for the dust to settle as critics, writers, and buyers process, synthesize, and publish their assessments. Now, a few months removed from the flurry of initial tasting reports, it feels like the right moment to step back and reflect—not just on the scores and headlines, but on what these early tastings actually reveal for those of us who drink, collect, and follow Chianti Classico. An infinite lineup of Chianti Classico wines for the 2025 Anteprima tasting. Anteprima isn't just about previewing wine, it's about checking the pulse of the region. It's where we see how producers are adapting to new climate challenges, refining their cellar practices, or leaning more into terroir transparency. And while many of the wines are early in their evolution, there's value in tasting youth. Like hearing the first few bars of a symphony, you may not get the full picture, but you'll sense tone, direction, and intent. Annata 2023: In Infancy, But Promising Tasting 2023 Annata wines offered a snapshot of freshness and energy. Still coming together in bottle or barrel, the wines nonetheless hinted at depth of fruit, lifted acidity, and a drink-now appeal that also promises complexity in the near term. For a vintage still unfolding, it offered a fair and encouraging preview of what's to come. Why Riserva Wines Hit the Sweet Spot While Gran Selezione garners the spotlight as Chianti Classico's top tier, Riserva wines quietly overdeliver. With longer aging than Annata and more flexibility than Gran Selezione, Riservas often offer the best of both worlds: complexity and accessibility. At this year's Anteprima, many Riservas struck a chord—wines with structure, soul, and a strong sense of identity that didn't need to shout. The Soul of Sangiovese, in Every Curve of the Road Sangiovese is a grape that mirrors the land around it with remarkable clarity. Sensitive to elevation, exposure, and soil, it can shift character from one hill to the next. In Chianti Classico, where a new ridge or forested slope appears around every turn in the road, this becomes part of the wine's identity. And the best expressions are beginning to showcase that sense of place with precision and pride. Why Tasting Reports Matter After every Anteprima, dozens of tasting reports flood the press. For collectors and sommeliers, they can be a reference point. But for most wine lovers, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Instead of listing 50+ scores, I want to offer a curated handful of producers and wines that not only impressed technically, but emotionally. These are wines that stayed with me—not just for what was in the glass, but because of the story behind them. And while I'm offering my own perspective here, I'd also point readers to the thoughtful work of others who have long followed this region: Michael Godel of Michaela Morris at Decanter, Kevin Day of Opening a Bottle, Walter Speller at Antonio Galloni of Vinous, and the vintage overview from Club Oenologique. Their writing provides invaluable context and insight for anyone looking to dive deeper into Chianti Classico. Tasting Chianti Classico's Future, One Sangiovese at a Time With extensive expert analysis like these to consider, I felt it appropriate to highlight a few standout wines—bottles from producers I've had the opportunity to visit, and whose vineyards, people, and places offered a deeper connection to the wines themselves. Wines That Resonate I Fabbri (Lamole, Greve in Chianti) – Nestled in the high-altitude village of Lamole, I Fabbri crafts graceful, mineral-driven wines shaped by elevation and light. The 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva showed remarkable purity and lift, with floral aromatics and a savory, lingering finish. Il Molino di Grace (Panzano in Chianti) – Combining traditional methods with sustainability, this historic estate captures the bold yet refined character of Panzano. The 2023 Chianti Classico displayed beautiful freshness and elegance, offering pure fruit and immediate charm. Querciabella (Greve, Radda, Gaiole) – With organic and biodynamic vineyards across multiple UGAs, Querciabella champions purity and transparency in every bottle. The 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva displayed clarity and freshness with a layered, energetic finish. Ricasoli (Gaiole in Chianti) – One of Italy's most historic estates, Ricasoli helped define the Chianti Classico style and continues to innovate across its expansive vineyards. Their 2022 Gran Selezione 'Castello di Brolio' was elegant and tightly wound, with graphite and red fruit depth. Fattoria Tregole (Castellina in Chianti) – A charming hilltop estate in Castellina that delivers wines with a warm, balanced expression of Sangiovese. Their 2020 Riserva was inviting, with ripe cherry, dusty tannins, and soft spice. Istine (Radda and Gaiole) – Focused on site-specific wines, Istine lets its vineyards speak for themselves through minimal intervention and clarity of fruit. The 2021 Radda bottling offered vivid acidity and crushed-stone minerality. Castello di Ama (Gaiole in Chianti) – Known for its combination of contemporary art and traditional winemaking, Ama's wines are layered, elegant, and expressive of altitude. Their 2021 Gran Selezione 'San Lorenzo' was tightly knit, dark-toned, and incredibly polished. Fontodi (Panzano in Chianti) – Set in the famed Conca d'Oro, Fontodi is a benchmark producer for bold yet polished Sangiovese, all organically grown. The 2021 Vigna del Sorbo Gran Selezione was powerful and age-worthy, bursting with dark fruit and velvety structure. Castello di Volpaia (Radda in Chianti) – High in Radda's cooler hills, Volpaia combines historic charm with precision farming and organic certification. The 2021 Gran Selezione Il Puro Casanova offered bright red fruit, fine tannins, and lovely lift—an elegant snapshot of high-elevation Sangiovese. Nardi Viticoltori (Radda in Chianti) – Based in Radda, Nardi Viticoltori continues to impress with its elegant, structured style. The 2022 Chianti Classico Riserva showed beautiful structure and depth, with finely integrated tannins and a long, graceful finish. Final Thoughts If Chianti Classico once lived in the shadow of its own stereotypes—rustic or simple, a table wine for casual occasions—its best wines today reflect something far more compelling. What these recent tastings reveal is a region steadily evolving, not through radical reinvention, but through refinement and renewed focus on what makes Sangiovese shine: place, purity, and personality. The future of Chianti Classico lies in this quiet evolution—one that rewards close attention, vintage after vintage.
Irish Times
15 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Secret wine loves: the bottles Irish consumers like to regularly buy
Most wine lovers tend to prefer the esoteric, lesser-known (and usually more expensive) wines. But these are not always affordable or accessible to the average wine drinker. So what are the most popular wines with you the consumer? I asked three of the multiples and one independent wine shop to put forward their bestselling wines. Aldi wine ambassador Tom Doorley says: 'Looking at the most popular wines in the spring/summer selection, I'm reminded that our customers are always willing to try something new. I think Irish consumers are keen to try offbeat wines and the initial feedback is positive. Current top sellers include a Lebanese red and a white Costières de Nîmes, so not exactly the usual suspects. Add to that an Argentinian Viognier and a Caladoc Rouge from Languedoc and you can see how Aldi are trying to offer wines from new regions as well as the well-established favourites.' Below I include a malbec that is part of the Aldi core range, available throughout the year. In contrast, a Lidl spokesperson says: 'Irish drinkers tend to be conservative in their wine choices, often opting for well-known traditional varieties. However, we've observed an increase in sales of New World wines particularly Chilean and Argentinian wines. Price is a key factor for our customers, with our most popular wine prices ranging from €7.00 to €11.99. Rosé is experiencing a rise in popularity throughout the year. Our most popular wines currently include Prosecco Frizzante (€7.99), Cimarosa Chenin Blanc (€7.70), Pinot Grigio IGT Delle Venezie (€7.29), Chardonnay Pays d'OC (€7.99), and Hachón Ribera del Duero Reserva (€10.99)." Lynne Coyle, wine director at O'Briens Wine says they sell Albariño and Primitivo in good quantities, but the Mâcon-Lugny Grande Réserve below and the Gran Reserva Monte Real Rioja are among their top-selling wines. 'Our Mâcon-Lugny Grande Réserve continues to grow, even though there can sometimes be a reluctance to buy chardonnay. Sustainably grown and from one of the top co-operatives in France, this fresh, fruity unoaked wine offers an affordable way to discover Burgundy. Both Reserva and Gran Reserva Rioja are popular; the wines are released after ageing at the winery with good fruit but also an evolved complexity, integrated oak and resolved tannins, so an interesting wine style, but approachable.' READ MORE [ John Wilson: Loire white wines made for warm-weather drinking Opens in new window ] Séan Gargano opened the independent wine shop MacCurtain Wine Cellar in Cork three years ago. 'We still have the grapes that have become brands like sauvignon, malbec and Pinot Grigio, but we are a niche shop, and most of our clients come here because they don't want to buy what's in the multiples. We are family-owned and run, and stock a lot of small family-owned wineries, but I never want to be a snob to customers. We only do European wines for environmental reasons, so my job is to hit all those buttons, but closer to home and probably cheaper too. I just listen and offer something different. I never want to talk down to people. Instead of Marlborough sauvignon, we sell lots of Le Paysan Blanc (see below).' Pinot Grigio 2023, Giulio Pasotti, IGT delle Venezie 12%, €7.28 Light refreshing easy pear and apple fruits with a rounded finish. A perfect summer sipper by itself or with light snacks and salads. From Lidl Specially Selected Buenas Vidas Malbec 2023, Argentina 13%, €7.99 Another Aldi favourite, this is a medium-bodied elegant style of malbec with fresh dark cherry, plum and blueberry fruits. Enjoy it with firm cheeses, red meats, pizza or pasta with tomato sauces. From Aldi [ Riesling, muscadet, sherry: Time to give these unloved wines a second chance Opens in new window ] Mâcon-Lugny Grande Réserve 2023 13%, €20.96 / €16.95 Fresh lightly textured pear and apple fruits with a vibrant acidity and dry finish. Great value at €16.95. Drink alongside most fish or white meats. From O'Briens Le Bordeaux du Paysan Blanc 2023, Satellite Wines, Organic 12.5%, €21.50-23.50 Light, fresh and aromatic with very attractive lemon and apricot fruits, finishing dry. Before dinner or with most fish and white meats. Stockists: MacCurtain, Cork; 64Wine, Glasthule; Nelly's, D9; Lennox Street Grocer, D8; Lilith, D7
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Two great table wines from a family with port pedigree
The Symington family is one of the most successful English/Portuguese producers of port, with a portfolio that includes Graham's, Warre's, Dow's, Cockburn's and Quinta do Vesuvio. They also produce table wines made from the same vineyards in the Douro valley, but much lower in alcohol. As well as these two, O'Briens has the excellent Altano Rewilding Red 2.5-litre Bag in Box for €36.95 and the equally good Altano Organic Red for €18.95 a bottle. [ Is wine from the United States good? ] Altano Branco 2022, Symington, Douro Altano Branco 2022, Symington, Douro 13.5% €15.95 down to €12.50 from O'Briens Medium-bodied with attractive peach fruits and good fresh acidity. Enjoy with grilled sardines, mackerel and other oily fish. Altano Tinto 2022, Symington, Douro Altano Tinto 2022, Symington, Douro 13.5% €15.95 down to €12.50 from O'Briens Smooth, rich dark fruits with a spicy note. Plenty of flavour and a pleasure to drink. Try it with a barbecued burger or roast red meats.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Former Winemaker Of Top Merlot Wine Is Now Making A 100% Merlot In An Unexpected Place
Glasses of red wine on a stone table The sound of several gasps along with widening eyes followed by broad smiles brought an exuberant energy to the room that was palpable. Few things can bring such awe to adults who have already lived a full and eventful life, as very little can catch them off guard with a joyful revelation. Yet at that moment, the words "blue clay" associated with a Merlot wine in a place other than where one would expect turned seasoned fine wine drinkers into giddy adolescents again. Blue clay is associated with some of the most outstanding Merlot wines in the world, such as Château Pétrus, located in the Right Bank of the prestigious wine region of Bordeaux. But there is another Merlot wine that sometimes outdoes Château Pétrus in certain vintages, according to some, and that is Masseto from the impressive wine area of Bolgheri in Tuscany. Masseto has a devoted cult of collectors that will go to great lengths to acquire a range of vintages in various formats and come together with other Masseto obsessives in fantastical gatherings to bask in the glory of these wines as a devoted collective. The famous Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux City, France The former winemaker of Masseto, Axel Heinz, became the estate director for both Ornellaia and Masseto properties in 2005 and had stayed there for 17 years, longer than any other estate director. Under his guidance, he had made Ornellaia and Masseto some of the most sought-after wines on the auction market, and now, he is man aging director and CEO of an estate with a longer history than his Italian predecessor, Château Lascombes on the Left Bank of Bordeaux in the eminently elegant wine sub-region of Margaux. Blue clay from the special plot that makes the La Côte Lascombes 100% Merlot wine Blue clay, also known as smectite clay, is a soil with significant iron composition, hence, it is known to give a distinct mineral character not found in wines grown in other types of clays or soils in general. The absorption of minerals is more significant for blue clay as it has properties that increase its ability to attract those desirable substances that help a wine to transcend excellence to a level where words cannot do it justice. Merlot has been the ideal partner for blue clay as it has enough expression of fruit potential to balance the fierce intensity of minerality that is endowed to the wine grapes that grow in this legendary soil. Also, clay has the ability to keep the ground cooler as it retains more water than other soils, so it is conducive to a grape that finds ideal balance with a slower ripening cycle. In Merlot's case, it keeps it from becoming too overripe, to which it has the tendency under certain conditions, yet allows it to gain enough concentration and complexity to become a magnificent wine with a regal power. Grape vine on the Château Lascombes estate And as Axel has been surveying the Château Lascombes' estate, he has found one area of their vineyard with some blue clay, and Merlot has already been planted there. Once he left Masseto and Ornellaia to go to a Bordeaux property on the Left Bank, to a Grand Cru Classé château (classified as a Second Growth in 1855), he thought that he would never make a majority Merlot, let alone a 100% Merlot wine, ever again (as Masseto, like Pétrus would sometimes add a touch of Cabernet Franc), as it is unheard of to make such a wine among the top producers on the Left Bank, unlike its neighbors on the Right Bank. But he never thought that he would find that much-desired substance that creates wines that still baffle many a wine collector who tries to make sense of their transcendental qualities. Reassessing the multitude of vineyard plots of Château Lascombes, which broadly span the Margaux region as they have holdings in three out of the five villages of the region, has become the main priority for Axel as he wants to make sure that only the best vineyards, except those deemed for the 100% Merlot wine, go into their grand vin. The grand vin, aka top wine of the estate, is in line with the tradition of Left Bank Bordeaux, hence a blended wine of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, sometimes with small percentages of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot grape varieties. Like many other Grand Cru Classé châteaux, the amount of vineyards that Château Lascombes owns has significantly increased since they received the privilege of being listed within the Grand Cru Classé classification of 1855. As a Left Bank classified château is allowed to include any vineyards within the region, such as, in this case, the region of Margaux, to their grand vin; hence, Château Lascombes has added plots that were acquired after 1855 to their top wine in the past. But Axel is changing that "modern" concept and going back to a more "traditional" idea, an idea that deemed Château Lascombes as a Second Growth over a century and a half ago, and he is only placing those original vineyards from the 1855 classification into their top-tier wine. Axel Heinz in the vineyards at Château Lascombes Yet he is not against progress when it is true to the terroir matching the expected quality level of the wine, and that is why he is making the 100% Merlot from those vineyards with the blue clay – it is a top-tier wine that defies all convention. It is all about the sense of place of the vineyards being utilized in the most appropriate ways. Axel was born in Germany but fell in love with wine while he studied winemaking in Bordeaux and worked in the area after graduating. It was an incredible opportunity for him to become the estate director and winemaker of Ornellaia and Masseto in 2005. Yet, he says he never thought he would stay so long as he always figured he would return to Bordeaux. And no matter how much glory there is at an estate that is an international sensation, through time, one starts to reassess one's priorities in life, and it was time for Axel to go back to his spiritual home. Yet he returns to the special place that ignited his passion with a wealth of experience from overseeing the most sought wines in the world with the mission of elevating a great château to the level of international sensation. And being a man who has worked with outstanding vineyards, he knows that delving into the soil is the path to preeminence. 2022 Château Lascombes The 2022 vintage was generally warm and dry for Bordeaux, so these wines are riper than usual. Yet they all still display a freshness and vibrancy despite the warmer temperatures. 2022 Chevalier de Lascombes, Margaux, Bordeaux, France: 68% Merlot and 32% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is the second wine of Château Lascombes' grand vin wine. A nose that is lovely and inviting, with aromas of freshly picked raspberries during a sunny day, is enhanced by a complex note of tar with a concentrated mid-palate underpinned with lots of blueberries and plum fruit and continues with an incredible depth of flavor until the finish. 2022 Chevalier de Lascombes 2022 Château Lascombes, Margaux, Bordeaux, France: 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Multifaceted bouquet of sage, dried flowers and fresh leather dance with vivacity in one's head with deeply concentrated blackberry fruit on the palate framed by finely sculpted tannins with an intense lifted energy along the finish that balances out the rich fruit. 2022 La Côte Lascombes, Margaux, Bordeaux, France: 100% Merlot from plots that have soils with clay over limestone with veins of blue clay throughout. Aromas that intrigue with dark, brooding fruit entice the drinker to dive into this abyss filled with delight and wonder. Slowly, the wine unravels its secrets with notes of crushed violets, sea spray and smoldering earth with a voluptuous quality on the body that satisfies on many levels, yet there is always something held back, so with each sip, more is revealed among the big velvety tannins and bright acidity that are seamlessly integrated along the sustained finish.
