When Barolo legend Angelo Gaja purchased Ca'Marcanda in 1996, Bolgheri was not yet the internationally recognized appellation it is today. However, Angelo had a vision: to bring his experience from Piedmont to Tuscany’s coastal terroir. Thirty years later, the exceptional Super Tuscan wines of Gaja have become the gold standard by which the region is measured.
Read MoreThe history of Valentine’s Day is as long as it is ambiguous. Whether you believe it’s rooted in the ancient Roman fertility festival called Lupercalia; the Christian Saint Valentine who performed marriages in secret; or Cupid, the Greek god of love, the idea is the same: it’s a holiday where we get to celebrate our loved ones. And in our book, that means to wine and dine them—whether its your gal pals for Galentine’s Day or your sweetheart.
Read MoreOur Buying team truly comprises some of the most knowledgeable, passionate wine and spirits experts in the biz, and we’re happy to bring you a set of their favorites from across our aisles. From years of traveling and extensive experience in the industry, each buyer represents a wealth of knowledge broadly about wine and spirits, but very deeply about their own regions and categories. If you want to shoot the breeze about soils, talk about best vintages to buy, or just learn what’s new and exciting—they are unparalleled resources! Seek them out on our sales floor or shoot them an email via our Staff Profile page.
Read MoreEven though the grape variety Meunier covers about one-third of the Champagne region, it is still little understood by most wine lovers. Follow Gary Westby on the trail through Champagne to explore the wonder of this dynamic and not-to-be-missed varietal that great Champagne could not do without.
Read MoreIt has been a long time since I first wanted to write a vintage guide for the main categories of wine that Italy offers. As wine professionals, we often place too much emphasis on vintage and risk miscommunicating its importance to customers. While vintage undoubtedly impacts the wine’s final taste, it doesn’t tell the whole story. A good bottle is a good bottle, and how it tastes depends as much on your expectations as on the vintage itself. Moreover, a great producer rarely makes a bad bottle, even in challenging years. In fact, I truly enjoy tasting wines from great producers in less favorable vintages; it’s fascinating to see how they interpret the conditions of the year.
Read MoreAs a long-time lover of this historic wine, I’m excited to share with you some of the finest and most unique Champagnes we’ve discovered recently as well as sharing a few highlights as I reminisce on 2024. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or just beginning to explore the world of Champagne, I’ve handpicked some exceptional bottles and offers that I think you'll absolutely love. Cheers to great bubbles and even better moments ahead!
Read MoreTuscany is a region with endless charm. It combines the beauty of nature with its historical heritage, and it has a deep-rooted connection to viticulture. It has complex hills that brings various micro-climates and a centuries-old winemaking tradition that makes this region one of Italy's most famous. Join us this Saturday, Feb 1st to taste, and join me On the Trail to explore these wines.
Read MoreThe Bonville family is blessed with 40 acres of vineyards in the Côte des Blancs grand crus of Avize, Oger and Mesnil, and make some of the best expressions of blanc de blancs available at any price. Many readers have been drinking these champagnes for decades, as we have been working with them now for over 20 years.
Read MoreWhen I think of Champagne Baron Fuenté, I think of two things: patience and value. The brother and sister team of Ignace and Sophie Baron are fans of long ageing and deliver super quality champagne at extraordinary prices.
Read MoreLast year I was in luck for the number of great champagnes that I had a chance to drink, and looking back, I picked out 10 of the most memorable to tell you about. Highlights include the over-achieving 2004s at age twenty, the epic 2008s that we can’t get enough of, and even some non-vintage gems. And of course, most often it’s the company that makes these bottles so special.
Read MoreSicily is probably my favorite Italian wine region. I love the people, the colors, the food, and, of course, the wine. I like to think of Sicily as the original melting pot, the real heartland of the world. The wines found throughout the region speak to this diversity with brilliance, and represent some unique and singular expressions.
Read MoreEvery year I look back and realize how blessed I’ve been to experience so many great wines, stories, and events. Often, it’s not the scale of the wine, but the people you’re with or the places you find yourself. 2024 was a roller coaster year for sure, but here are some of the peaks of fine wine that I was fortunate to be a part of last year.
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