Vinous Table: The Samling, Windermere, UK
Vinous Table, United Kingdom
, May 2019
Based on this dinner, The Samling probably deserves its Michelin star, even if some of the dishes were overly complicated and some combinations of ingredients worked better than others.
Think Pink: Italy’s Lively 2018 Rosatos
Italy, featured
, May 2019
In this first installment of a two-part series devoted to Italy’s almost infinite offering of Rosatos, the country’s penchant for making delicious pink wines from myriad different grape varieties is confirmed.
Bordeaux 2018: Back in Black
France: Bordeaux, featured
, Apr 2019
Two thousand eighteen was one of the most dramatic growing seasons in recent memory. Hail, persistent rain and blistering summertime temperatures tested the resilience of vineyard managers and winemakers throughout the entire year. Perhaps most importantly, though, 2018 comes at a significant inflection point in Bordeaux’s history. So, how did the wines turn out?
Beyond Wine: Album Review of Serfs Up! – Fat White Family
Beyond Wine
, Apr 2019
It is a glorious mess that constitutes the first truly great Fat White Family album. They are easily the most interesting band at the moment. Maybe the only interesting band.
Cellar Favorite: 2014 Domaine d’Eugénie Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, France: Burgundy
, Apr 2019
I suspect that many wine lovers are unaware of the domaine’s white cuvées, which come from holdings acquired by François Pinault from Château de Puligny-Montrachet around 2012/2013.
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Vinous Table: Xin Rong Ji, Huangpu
Vinous Table
, Apr 2019
Xin Rong Ji is an upmarket restaurant with multiple locations in Shanghai, specializing in award-winning Taizhou cuisine. The stylish but comfortable ambience and the stellar food make Xin Rong Ji one of my top discoveries of 2018’s dining adventures.
Mediterranean Spain: Diversity and Consistency
featured, Spain
, Apr 2019
From northeastern Catalonia to the country’s southeast corner and all the way west to Andalusia, Spain’s Mediterranean Ocean–influenced winegrowing regions have been experiencing a run of almost uniformly very good to epic vintages.
Fermented Grape Juice: Romanée-Conti 1953-2005
Verticals & Retrospectives, featured, France: Burgundy
, Apr 2019
They say that dreams come true. Well, I am still waiting for Southend United to win the FA Cup and Keira Knightley to call. But I no longer have to dream about a vertical of Domaine Romanée-Conti. It really happened. And I am going to tell you about it.
Cellar Favorite: 2005 and 2013 Quinta do Noval: The Latest Releases
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, Portugal
, Apr 2019
Quinta do Noval recently released two new bottlings, their fifth Colheita Tawny Port since Christian Seely became managing director, following 1995, 1997, 2000 and 2003, plus a new Late Bottled Vintage.
Vinous Table: Le Bistro de L’Hôtel de Beaune, Beaune, France
Vinous Table, France: Burgundy
, Apr 2019
One of my favorite places to eat during my Burgundy barrel tastings is Le Bistro de l’Hôtel, located in central Beaune overlooking Place Carnot. Established in 2007 by Stockholm-born Johan Bjorkland, it is upmarket yet unpretentious.