Editor's Comment Archives - Page 2 of 9

Exploring Campanha and a direction for Brazilian wine

Posted on August 31, 2023August 31, 2023 by Amanda Barnes

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The old vine revolution of Eastern Mendoza

Posted on July 27, 2023July 27, 2023 by Amanda Barnes

Amanda Barnes shares her excitement about the renaissance of old vine Criolla wines in Eastern Mendoza in this video documentary, published on The South America Wine Guide. There are many reasons why I am excited about the old vine revolution happening in South America. Both with noble grapes like Semillon, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as far humbler grapes including País, Mos...

Patience, perseverance and pasta: Antinori launches its London Cantinetta

Posted on June 26, 2023June 27, 2023 by Amanda Barnes

Amanda Barnes sits down to taste a vertical of Solaia as the Antinori family launches its latest restaurant in the heart of London. “Having 630 years of history helps us to be patient,” says Allegra Antinori, 26th generation of the Antinori wine dynasty and the middle of the three sisters gradually taking over from their father, Marchese Piero Antinori. “This is not a soft launch, but a long la...

Tasting through Tokaj

Posted on May 18, 2023May 18, 2023 by Amanda Barnes

Amanda Barnes takes to the hills of Tokaj to learn about the fascinating history and art of sweet, sparkling and still wines in the region from László Mészáros, director of Disznókõ. “We are the oldest wine region, but still a very young one,” this simple statement made by László Mészáros, director of one of Tokaj’s most esteemed estates, Disznókõ, became increasingly poignant and meaningful to m...

Delving into the different vinous chapters of Klein Constantia

Posted on April 30, 2023April 30, 2023 by Amanda Barnes

Amanda Barnes takes a taste and read through Klein Constantia: The home of Vin de Constance. Books are always better when they’re enjoyed with wine — especially when they’re wine books. Even more so when you can drink the very wine described in the book — and so was my experience with the latest release from John Stimpfig’s First Press Editions’ Klein Constantia: The home of Vin de Constance. The...

Seeing beyond Semillon

Posted on March 29, 2023 by Amanda Barnes

Amanda Barnes hones in on Hunter Valley, finding a fine spread of varieties and styles, including fresh takes on its signature grape. It may be Semillon that Hunter Valley is best known for, but as a recent New South Wales tasting set out to prove — the region can do a whole lot more. Australia’s first Albariño was planted here, in the Hunter Valley, back in 2014, which spurred on a bit of an A...

Exploring the diversity of Los Chacayes

Posted on February 27, 2023 by Amanda Barnes

Amanda Barnes tours us through the new, but highly sought-after, appellation of Los Chacayes in the Uco Valley. This article and video first appeared in The South America Wine Guide. Since the first pioneer of the wine region, François Lurton and his family, planted here in 1996, Los Chacayes has exploded to become one of the hotspots of the Valle de Uco today with over 1,800 hectares of vi...

Mountains, coffee, and vinho

Posted on December 28, 2022December 31, 2022 by Amanda Barnes

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Wine between the dunes: A guide to Ica, Peru

Posted on November 27, 2022 by Amanda Barnes

Peru's wine regions, by Amanda Barnes. The South America Wine Guide

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Block by block: Planting Jardin Altamira

Posted on October 23, 2022October 25, 2022 by Amanda Barnes

Amanda Barnes visits one of Mendoza's fascinating new vineyards, Altos Las Hormigas' Jardin Altamira, which is being planted by soil blocks. A version of this article was originally published on SouthAmericaWineGuide.com There's something quite fascinating about new vineyards being planted in Mendoza. Rather than the regular square blocks of vines, you are increasingly seeing vineyard...