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The Journal

November 11 2024

Chateaux Lynch Bages & Pichon Lalande: six vintages, 2005-1966

Bordeaux

This was a recent tasting I led for my local tasting group, the Jeroboam Club, in the UK.  They had…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

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October 31 2024

Discovering Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru at the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter

Burgundy

Attending the Clos de Vougeot masterclass at the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter was a rare treat, an incredible chance to…

Written by Manon Millot

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October 22 2024

Decant / De-can’t, when do you pour yours?

Bordeaux

Pouring wine from a bottle into another serving vessel, to remove sediment or aid oxygenation, should be as simple as…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

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October 11 2024

Berries to Barrels: Barreling and Beyond!

Burgundy

While the Corton-Charlemagne and Pernand-Vergelesses quietly crackle in their barrels, it’s time for the five reds to be devatted. Simon…

Written by Manon Millot

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October 8 2024

How To Start A Wine Collection

Bordeaux

  Collecting wine is a fantastic hobby. Buying special cases or bottles, tucking them away and thinking about when you’ll…

Written by Chris Kelly

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October 4 2024

Berries to Barrels: Beginning of the Fermentation

Burgundy

After the excitement of the harvest, everything has calmed down. The sun has been replaced by rain, and the cold…

Written by Manon Millot

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September 27 2024

Berries to Barrels: Wrapping up the Harvest 2024

Burgundy

Simon and his father Franck Follin-Arbelet.   The harvest season is wrapping up in Burgundy. The last grapes are being…

Written by Manon Millot

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September 13 2024

Berries to Barrels: A Month in the Trenches at Domaine Follin-Arbelet

Burgundy

Burgundy 2024 Harvest and Winemaking Journal   Bienvenue to my Harvest and Winemaking Journal! For the next month, I'll be…

Written by Manon Millot

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August 23 2024

A First Look at September’s Most Anticipated Wine Releases

Bordeaux

Get Ready for an Exceptional September 2024! While August is traditionally one of the slower months for the fine wine…

Written by Manon Millot

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August 16 2024

Groffier Dinner Report

Burgundy

For some years I have been fascinated by the wines of Domaine Robert Groffier.  At the Burgfest blind tastings I…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

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August 6 2024

Chateau Rayas dinner – sometimes lightning does strike twice

Rhone

In June 2023 I remember pinching myself as I sat down to a dinner in Singapore with eight vintages of…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

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June 21 2024

Burgfest report: 2020 whites

Burgundy

That we were asking ourselves whether 2020 had provided the best ever white Burgfest tells you all you need to…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

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May 2 2024

Bordeaux 2023 – Vintage Report

Bordeaux

Bordeaux 2023 is a vintage born out of an adversity that stretched from the climatic to market conditions and, beyond…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

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April 19 2024

2023 Bordeaux En Primeur Is Coming

Bordeaux

It’s that time of year again, Bordeaux En Primeur is just around the corner. We expect the first releases of 2023s the week after…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

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April 1 2024

Vintage report – Barolo 2020

Italy

  The northern Italian region of Piemonte is currently enjoying a golden age and has been blessed with a trio…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

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February 2 2024

Bordeaux 2020: Southwold Tasting Report

Bordeaux

2020 is a remarkably consistent, extremely high quality, year for red Bordeaux.  The wines are much more classical – think…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

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December 21 2023

2022 Burgundy – How wrong we were!

Burgundy

In 2022 the Burgfest tasting of 2018 reds fell during the early days of the harvest.  I have clear recollections…

Written by Manon Millot

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February 14 2023

The Best Wines Ever Made? Here Are Some Of The Finest Bottles In Existence

Wine

What are the best wines ever made? A team dinner brought up the question of what are the greatest fine…

Written by Chris Kelly

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January 11 2023

Vintage Report: Burgundy 2021 by Matthew Hemming MW

Burgundy

Chiselled whites with the sort of ‘proper’ structure that’s becoming uncommon in our era of solar vintages. Elegant and fine-boned…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

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