Natalie MacLean’s bestselling book Red, White and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass is now in paperback. She was named the World’s Best Drink Writer for the articles and wine picks in her free wine newsletter,-read more-
At almost two meters in height, with broad shoulders and sturdy hands, Paolo Vodopivec looks well adapted to work the land that is Carso. When I drove through this northeastern Italian region a year ago, I felt tremendous respect for-read more-
An aroma of fresh fields, herbs and wildflowers. A light-medium body, smooth on the tongue, with a touch of spice. Nicely balanced with a sizeable finish. And only 13% alcohol. WHO: Olivier Leflaive WHAT: Chardonnay WHERE: Chablis AOC, Burgundy, France-read more-
Dark and inky. A concentrated nose with a bit of leather and plum. Smooth, but with a nice tannic structure lending a pleasant “abrasive” mouthfeel. Dark fruits, anise, minerals. An umami note on the end that leads to a very-read more-
Remarkably light-colored for an Australian Shiraz, ruby and opaque rather than deep and dark. The nose is incredibly floral and aromatic. Completely smooth, like drinking silk. Blackberry, chocolate, and baking spices. Substantial, but with understated tannins. Absolutely easy to drink-read more-
There was a time when I loved Australian Shiraz: that time was 2005, and the wine in question was Yellow Tail. Fortunately for me, I wised up and graduated to better wines. Unfortunately for the Australian wine industry, so did-read more-
Having visited Burgundy in the summer of this “difficult year”–rainy and cold; wore all my sweaters plus raincoat every day–I was curious to see what had been produced in Chablis. This wine has a sweet, fruity nose with a hint-read more-
A lightly earthy aroma, more grape than tropical fruit. On the tongue, a touch of sweet fruit, with fruit in the finish too, along with some light, citric acidity. Pleasantly easy to drink. Asks for smoked seafood! Low alcohol at-read more-