Last Week in Wine

This week’s wine highlights span the enduring heritage of Sonoma County’s century-old vineyards, an accessible guide to budget-friendly sparkling wines, the anticipation of the Garagiste Wine Festival’s boutique offerings, a critical look at the universal wine glass, and a spotlight on Texas’s Spicewood Vineyards, which blends local terroir with innovative

Robb Report critiques allocation systems as outdated and frustrating for consumers eager to purchase wine directly, while Food & Wine highlights Armenia’s revival as a producer of distinctive high-altitude wines. Meanwhile, Somm TV expands wine education with over 400 hours of exclusive content, and a new NASEM report affirms the

From the screw cap versus cork debate to angry French winemakers and Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 list, this episode is packed with the latest wine news. We also highlight the historic Gundlach Bundschu Winery in Sonoma and the vibrant flavors of Candé Restaurante in Cartagena, Colombia.

From somm-approved wine lists to snob-free courses and even popcorn-pairing tips, this week’s Wine News Round-Up offers a sip of everything—from buying a winery in Paso Robles to discovering award-winning wines from unexpected places like Arizona.

From grape name variations around the world to a bold vineyard restructuring in France, this week’s wine news spans education and adaptation. Discover how Sideways reshaped wine preferences, the challenges posed by smoke taint in Santa Barbara, and a stellar winery and restaurant you need to visit.

From hosting blind tasting parties and exploring Valle de Guadalupe’s rising wine scene to the unexpected surge in white wine demand this winter, the wine world is buzzing with excitement. Whether it’s gifting ideas, game nights, or dining at Baja’s culinary gem ‘Emat, there’s something for every wine enthusiast to

Viña Don Melchor’s 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Puente Alto claims the top spot on Wine Spectator’s Top 10 Wines of 2024, earning 96 points with a retail price of $175—a significant benchmark for Chilean wines. Meanwhile, VinePair highlights affordability in its 50 Best Wines of 2024, with the $40 Arnot-Roberts Sonoma

The California wine industry faces significant challenges as declining consumer spending, excess inventory, and an overabundance of grapes from the 2024 harvest create economic strain. However, experts predict a turnaround by 2026, with supply and demand expected to rebalance and opportunities for consumers to find high-quality wines at reduced prices

Vienna, Austria, stands out as a unique wine city, rivaling the global giants of London and Paris. Meanwhile, Wine Enthusiast’s 2024 Wine Region of the Year award highlights Mendocino County’s commitment to sustainability, urging wine lovers to look beyond Napa and explore the region’s distinct offerings in Anderson Valley.

Amadio Wines’ 2021 Reserve Range Sebastien’s Cabernet Sauvignon from Adelaide Hills has claimed the prestigious title of “Best Cabernet Sauvignon in the World” at the AWC Vienna 2024. This accolade is especially significant, as nearly 11,000 wines were anonymously judged by an international panel, making Amadio’s victory a remarkable win

Authorities in Italy and France broke up a wine counterfeiting ring, seizing counterfeit Grand Cru wines, luxury items, and cash, marking one of the largest wine fraud busts to date. In other news, Lebanon’s IXSIR winery continues its harvest despite regional conflict, while Texas’s Calais Winery and Arizona’s Flying Leap

A Sonoma winemaker’s ad comparing sugar levels in his wine to Meiomi’s led to a legal challenge from Meiomi’s parent company, Constellation Brands. Meanwhile, Italian red wines like Sagrantino and Tannat may offer relief from headaches, and U.S. wine sales see a shift with declines in lower-priced bottles but growth