weekly news past
Wine to be packed in cartons in UK for first time Monday 3 September 2012
West Coast Wine buys Valley of the Moon 26 August 2012
Spain predicted smaller harvest, higher grape prices 23 August 2012
Wealthy wine investors ‘not out for financial gain’ Monday 20 August 2012
Herve Augustin has resigned from his post as president of Champagne Ayala and will leave the company at...
A 1,200-page guide to the world's wine grape varieties, billed as the most comprehensive ever published...
With Decanter's first Asia Wine Awards taking place in September, find out more about new judge Moonsong...
Champagne has had the worst growing season for several decades and the prospects for the 2012 harvest...
Trade during the London Olympics has been 'absolutely disastrous' for restaurants in the capital, with...
A fine wine broker and an online specialist in Indian wines are among the contenders for this year's..
Labruyere buys grower Champagne
Edouard Labruyere, who owns property in Pomerol, Meursault and Beaujolais, has added a grower Champagne to his portfolio.
Devastating flash floods have claimed more than 170 lives and entirely destroyed at least one winery in the Krasnodar region of southern Russia, local industry members say.
Chinese wine consumers are suspicious of 'modern' label design and prefer more traditional styles, a new report is claiming.
A 3000-year-old wine is thought to have been discovered in China, according to the Xinhua news agency.
As England continues to suffer the wettest early summer since records began, winemakers are beginning to wonder if they are going to have any grapes to harvest at all.
China's oldest wine company' Changyu Pioneer Wine Co, has announced it is to build a 'wine city' in Shandong province.
A plot of 200-year-old French vines has just been classified a Monument Historique, the first time a vineyard has been awarded the distinction.
Further details have been released about the new feature-length documentary about the mutual 'obsession' between Bordeaux and China, starring some of the biggest names in the international wine world.
Four directors of Maison Laboure-Roi, the 180-year-old Burgundy negociant house, have been accused of various counts of wine fraud.
Uncertainty over the viability of the European Monetary Union and volatility of the euro may incite investors to seek refuge in wine...
Accolade CEO tells Decanter.com of the firm's ambition to 'get back in there' in the US.
Chianti Classico's ruling council is set to create a new flagship wine classification to show-off the region's improved quality.
Premium wines are flying off the shelves in the UK, despite a lacklustre sales trend for the overall market, new figures show.
Decanter speaks to Aline Baly, proprietor of Sauternes-Barsac Premier Grand Cru Classé property Chateau Coutet, about her upcoming seminar in Decanter's Discovery Theatre at this weekend's Great Bordeaux Fine Wine Encounter...
The director of Chateau d'Yquem, Pierre Lurton, has said he will not be releasing the 2011 vintage en primeur at this time.
With the Great Bordeaux Fine Wine Encounter fast-approaching, Decanter speaks to David Launay, General Manager of Château Gruaud Larose, who will be presenting one of this year's masterclasses...
Visitors to this year's Vinexpo Asia-Pacific were up 25%, according to final figures released by Vinexpo.
Bordeaux's Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion has experimented with ageing one barrel of its 2009 wine partially submerged in the sea.
A powerful alliance of health professionals wants a French-style ban on alcoholic drinks advertising on television and at sports events in the UK.
A holistic approach to winemaking, through minimal intervention in the cellar and vineyard, gives a purer wine with a real sense of terroir, says Isabelle Legeron MW..
"Did you realise that, with every glass of Meursault and Montrachet, you are drinking wine faeces? No, nor did I."
Penfolds launches Grange 07 in Europe and 'first-ever' Bin 169
Penfolds has just launched its icon wines in Europe - including the first-ever bottling of the new £165 Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, and the Grange 2007.
Bollinger returns to 1846 bottle
Bollinger has launched a new bottle whose narrow neck, it says, will slow the ageing process and deliver 'a better wine'.
Shipwreck Champagne to be auctioned
A cache of 200-year-old bottles of Champagne discovered at the bottom the Baltic is to be auctioned next...
Ancient Vin Jaune fetches $49k
A 240-year-old bottle of Vin Jaune has been sold at Christie's for just under US$50,000.
Last chance to take Decanter's en primeur survey
If you've ever bought Bordeaux en primeur fill out Decanter's survey for the chance to win a magnum of Louis Roederer Champagne.
Zind-Humbrecht: New Sommerberg Riesling plantings
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht in Alsace is about to plant Riesling vines in a tiny parcel of the (28ha) grand cru Sommerberg in Alsace.
Douro reds: panel tasting results
In Decanter's first Douro reds tasting for nine years, judges praised the progress the region has made, particularly for blends and recent vintages. See all 37 four and five star wines here...
Have you ever bought Bordeaux en primeur?
Enter our survey now for the chance to win a magnum of Louis Roederer Champagne
Jefford on Monday: Princes, Princesses and Paupers
When, back on April 9th, Mark Nelson wondered if I was "amongst the well-paid wine elite", I quietly chuckled to myself...
Bordeaux 2011: Price drops boost campaign 11 May 2012
France government campaign encourages China to look beyond Bordeaux
The French government is funding a marketing campaign to encourage wine consumers and sommeliers in China to look beyond Bordeaux.
UK importer takes 'largest-ever' list from Finger Lakes
The largest-ever list of wines from the Finger Lakes region of New York state is about to be imported into the UK.
Have you ever bought Bordeaux en primeur?
Enter our survey now for the chance to win a magnum of Louis Roederer Champagne
Brad Pitt to star in The Billionaire's Vinegar Tuesday 8 May 2012
The Billionaire's Vinegar, the controversial book about the Jefferson bottles affair, is being made into a film starring Brad Pitt.
Will Francois Hollande be good for the wine industry?
The signs are that France's new President, François Hollande, will support the wine industry more than...
Corney & Barrow takes first English wine Tuesday 8 May 2012
London wine merchant Corney & Barrow has taken its first English listing after being captivated by the...
Jefford on Monday: The French Grange?
Wine production in Australia is set to hit a five-year low this year, impacted by the knock-on effects of widespread wet weather in the 2010-11 growing season.
Pancho Campo, who was at the centre of last year's controversy around the organisation of wine tastings...
French coopers lobby government
French coopers are lobbying the French government's forestry commission for greater transparency, and...
Top UK restaurants rally behind natural wines
Over 200 UK restaurants are offering natural wines as part of Real Wine Month.
Mosel bridge work halted
Construction on the controversial Mosel bridge has been stopped due to missing or faulty documentation or calculations, according to reports.
White House gatecrasher runs for governor
The Virginia winemaker who famously gatecrashed a White House dinner has announced his intention to run as state governor.
Decanter's Italian Encounter: Ian D'Agata interview
With The Great Italian Fine Wine Encounter approaching on Saturday 19th May, Decanter's Nina Johal talks exclusively to Italian wine expert Ian D'Agata, who will be hosting a masterclass on Barolo 2005...
Ornellaia auction to feature Zhang Huan bottles Wednesday 25 April 2012
Crushpad Bordeaux to open at Lynch Bages
The Cazes family of Chateau Lynch Bages has taken a stake in Crushpad Bordeaux, an offshoot of the...
Antinori, Allegrini and other stars at Decanter's Great Summer Fine Wine Encounters
Marchese Piero Antinori, Marilisa Allegrini, Jean-Charles Cazes and other international wine celebrities...
Ornellaia auction to feature Zhang Huan bottles
A collection of large format bottles of Tenuta dell'Ornellaia 2009 designed by Chinese artist Zhang...
D&D Wines goes into administration
D&D Wines International has gone into administration with the loss 12 jobs.
James Suckling: Quebec payments were 'not for tastings'
Wine critic James Suckling has confirmed that any monies he received from the Quebec alcohol board were...
Dave Stewart of Eurythmics planning Mollydooker concert, and more wines
Eurythmics star Dave Stewart plans to follow the launch of his own wine with more releases and a concert...
Bordeaux 2011 video: Jean-Christophe Mau of Chateau Preuillac and Chateau Brown
Chateau Preuillac and Chateau Brown manager Jean-Christophe Mau talks to Decanter about the Bordeaux 2011 vintage, during the en primeur tasting week in Bordeaux.
Sogrape buys Bodegas LAN
In the first major takeover of a Spanish wine business by a Portuguese rival, Portugal’s Sogrape has acquired Rioja-based Bodegas LAN from its private equity owner for an undisclosed sum.
Surge in imports into China as consumers look beyond France
Wine imports into China reached record levels in 2011, while there is evidence that the Chinese demand for imported wine is continuing to diversify.
Robert Parker report: 'Appearance of impropriety' in Campo/Miller arrangements
The Wine Advocate's arrangements in Spain last year created 'inappropriate ambiguity' and fell short of the high standards the organisation sets itself, an investigation has found.
Graham's 1952 gets royal approval for Queen's Jubilee
An ultra-exclusive port, the Graham’s Tawny 1952, is being released as the official port of the Diamond Jubilee.
Bordeaux 2011 interview: Thomas Duroux of Chateau Palmer
Chateau Palmer CEO Thomas Duroux talks to Decanter about the Bordeaux 2011 vintage, during the en primeur tasting week in Bordeaux.
Jefford on Monday: Building a Future
"John Forrest's February call for Marlborough growers to think about moving towards an appellation system broached a topic which, I suspect, we will hear a lot more about in the next few years..."
Turkey's EU ambassador accused of 'embezzling wine'
Turkish authorities are investigating the country's former ambassador to the European Union, following...
Major new Sussex wine estate starts planting
A former hedge fund manager is setting out to plant what will one of the largest vineyards in England,...
Prosecco rise 'good for Champagne' says Lanson
The continuing success of Prosecco is good for Champagne, Lanson managing director Paul Beavis has said.
Drinks industry divided on minimum pricing
The drinks industry, including retailers and lobbying groups, have condemned the government's...
Bob Campbell MW's top 2009 New Zealand Pinot Noirs
In such a vast growing region, it's hard to generalise but as Bob Campbell MW discovers, the latest vintage for New Zealand's flagship red has been universally hailed. See all 28 Pinot Noirs here...
Win a set of Baccarat glasses worth over £700 Competition ends on Wednesday 28 March 2012
Drinks industry slams Budget as 'lazy' and counterproductive
The Chancellor’s decision to continue the automatic tax escalator on drinks has been denounced as a ‘lazy cash grab’ and satirised as ‘our own Olympic record’ by drinks professionals.
Pomerol chateaux win reprieve over appellation change Wednesday 22 March 2012
Nine Pomerol chateaux are celebrating a victory over hugely unwelcome changes in appellation rules.
Ten-hour Mondovino makes UK debut
Decanter is launching a new wine competition in Asia, the Decanter Asia Wine Awards, it has just announced.
About 2,000 young vines have been vandalised causing tens of thousands of euros damage at a Medoc estate.
Napa Valley wine consultant Kerry Damskey has pioneered Costa Rica's first commercial winery.
The arrest of Rudy Kurniawan on multiple charges of fraud is the result of years of evidence-gathering on the part of the...
London's Royal Opera House played host to an glittering evening of artistry last night, as stars from...
Some of the world's most celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon winemakers and technical experts convene in Napa this summer for the second International Cabernet Symposium.
Two Rioja producers have revived the region’s tradition of producing late-harvest wines.
Doug Rathbone has announced he is putting the Rathbone Wine Group up for sale.
Christie’s China has decided not to go ahead with its controversial poster of chateaux names in Chinese.
Sainsbury’s has added an English sparkling wine to its premium own-label, Taste the Difference range, for the first time.
Richard Baudains explores the vast and diverse landscape of the Tuscan Coast to give Decanter his pick of the best 10 coastal Tuscan wines...
Wine Australia’s abrupt decision to end its export approval panel tastings at the end of January was an intriguing sign of change in its wine culture....
Paul Symington, Decanter’s Man of the Year 2012, was ‘predestined’ for his role at the helm of the family company.
Spanish born actor Antonio Banderas launched his Ribero del Duero wines, Anta Banderas, in Florida last weekend.
Champagne exports last year reached their second highest volume in five years – with sales close to the peak of 2007.
The annual Premiere Napa Valley charity wine auction raised a record total of US$3.1m, breaking through the US$3m barrier for the first time.
Australian wine imports increased significantly while exports fell last year – and there was a marked increase in the value of domestic wine sales.
Bordeaux approves official Chinese names
Bordeaux's classified growths have approved the first-ever standardised Chinese translation of their names, Decanter.com can exclusively reveal.
Advance bids open for charity wine auction
Wine lovers in search of elusive wines including Haut-Brion imperials direct from Prince Robert of Luxembourg's cellar are now able to place absentee bids if they are unable to attend Decanter's exclusive gala dinner.
Vanquish tackles 'authenticity issue'
Vanquish, the London partner of Spectrum Wine Auctions, is trying to establish the authenticity of 21 lots removed from its auction on 8 February.
Video highlights: Decanter's Great Spanish Wine Encounter 2012
Watch the video highlights from last weekend's Encounter with behind the scenes footage and exclusive interviews with winemakers from Vega Sicilia, Marques De Murrieta and La Rioja Alta.
Critics see red over early Brunello previews
Previews of the 2007 Brunello di Montalcino vintage for the 'privileged few' have sparked fury among wine critics and bloggers.
Gaming billionaire ups stake in Treasury Wine Estates
Casino and gaming billionaire, James Packer, has increased his stake in the world's second largest wine producer, Treasury Wine Estates.
Natural wine fair for UK
Natural wine remains 'marginal' in the UK, but organisers of the UK's first artisan wine fair still aim to attract 1500 people to the inaugural event.
Win an ibrew Micro-Winery
Ever wanted to have a go at making your own wine? Here's your chance with our competition to win a complete Pinot Grigio Micro-Winery worth £79.99.
Chinese entrepreneur Jin Shan Zhang has just bought Entre-deux-Mers estate Chateau Grand Moueys – where he plans to open a restaurant, hotel and 9-hole golf course.
Russian producers are calling on the government to avert a crisis as the worst winter weather in half a century has wiped out up to half this year's wine harvest.
Rioja bodega Faustino is the first large-scale producer to make a white Rioja using Chardonnay in the blend alongside Viura.
In an unusually low-scoring panel tasting, just six Chilean Camenere's stood out to the Decanter judges for their rich and elegant flavours. See them here...
Jefford on Monday: Organic and Beyond
'It's been a long pregnancy, but the baby is, at last, almost with us. In the next few weeks, the European regulations regarding 'organic wine' are due to be published...'
Moët Hennessy to make red wine in China
Moët Hennessy is to make red wine for the Chinese market after investing in a high-altitude vineyard in the Yunnan Mountains near Tibet.
Moscato madness about to hit UK
Moscato sales in the US have risen by more than 70% and the variety is now poised to take the UK by storm.
Consumers across three continents prefer lower alcohol wines: Prowein
The alcohol content of wine is the major priority of wine drinkers across three continents, new research shows.
Mimimum pricing opponents slam Cameron speech
Opponents of minimum pricing of alcohol have criticised Prime Minister David Cameron’s forthcoming speech on the 'scandal' of alcohol abuse in the UK.
A small wine merchant selling Bordeaux wine exclusively to Chinese wine professionals, has opened in the middle of Bordeaux.
The market for imported wine in Thailand is being hampered by a draconian tax regime, and has subsequently led to high levels of corruption, senior wine professionals say.
A wine lover has made the first major Chinese purchase in Burgundy.
Spectrum and Vanquish have withdrawn 13 lots worth hundreds of thousands of pounds from tonight’s London auction because of ‘apparent label discrepancies’.
McLaren Vale's renowned Clarendon Estate Vineyards - supplier of grapes to Penfold's Grange and Eileen Hardy Shiraz - has been bought by California's Jackson Family Wines.
Chateau Tertre Daugay has been renamed Chateau Quintus, Domaine Clarence Dillon, owner of Chateau Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion, has announced.
New UK government guidelines warning that drinking two large glasses of wine a day triples the risk of mouth cancer are 'scaremongering’' an influential alcohol lobby group claims.
Auctioneers Spectrum and wine merchant Vanquish have taken the unprecedented step of categorically denying that the consigner in tomorrow's
