Uncork the spirit of the season with a selection of world-class sparkling wines, perfect for festive gatherings and gift-giving alike. Featuring 15 standout choices, each rated highly by Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) experts in 2024, this guide o

PHOTOGRAPHS COLOSSAL PRODUCTIONS - SYAFIQ ABDUL LATIFF, LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER■

In your article you pointed out that, for you, a great Bordeaux fine wine ‘may be the most obvious, unoriginal and unhip “favourite wine” in existence, but at its best it’s also the most subtle, refined and complex red wine of all’. About 473 years a

I’ve let you down: more than 250 columns for Decanter, and not one on Christmas wine. There is an urgent topic to address; it’s not, though, so urgent that it can’t wait until January. I’ve also got an undiscovered jewel among Big Reds to describe: p

Of all the questions to ask a sparkling winemaker, there’s one which always tends to draw out the most reluctant answer: ‘What’s the dosage?’ Dosage is a small addition of sugar (in the form of cane, beet or grape sugar) and wine that forms the lique

One of my first tastings in 2024 was with Donelan Family Wines at their tasting room in Santa Rosa, California, with founder Joe Donelan, son Cushing and winemaker David Milner. Their Judge Vineyard Syrah 2021 (US$80 donelanwines.com) from Bennett Va

is a writer and presenter specialising in South American wine and travel. A DWWA judge, she is author of the award-winning South America Wine Guide (£35 southamericawineguide.com) is a widely published journalist, author and fine wine advisor based i

WINE-OPOLY BOARD GAME It wouldn't be Christmas without a board game. This wine lover’s spin on classic Monopoly aims to help you learn while you play. Choose either traditional play or a one-hour version. £25 Widely available online RED WINE-INFUSED

£41.99 Waitrose Lively and moreish, this would make a stylish and delicious present. Spent at least 24 months on the lees. Peach, pear and pineapple fruit rest on frangipane and candied lemon. Persistent, creamy bubbles. A candidate to accompany to y

How did you get here? I used to manage stores for Majestic, before moving into the trading team at Sainsbury’s, working on drinks and fresh counters. Having looked after marketing and purchasing as a director at Jascots wine merchants, I became a fre

£13.50-£19.99 Taurus Wines, The Wine Society An elegant fizz of unfussy complexity and balance, with fleshy fruit, nutty depth and assertive acid. Yellow apple, white peach, fennel seed and rosemary. Almond croissant and candied lemon add texture. IS

121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR, UK Website: decanter.com / decanterchina.com Email: [email protected] / [email protected]/ [email protected] Editorial Magazine Editor Amy WislockiContent Director Tina GellieEditor, decanter.

There have been plenty of new rum releases ahead of Christmas. Here are five favourites… £62.50-£66.95/70cl Drink Finder, Harris & Co, Independent Spirit of Bath, Spirited Bristol, The Whisky Exchange, Tyndrum Whisky A new permanent addition to the B

Starting one’s journey in the world of Port can be as daunting as it quickly becomes captivating. The variety of styles across producers and categories, as well as the identity of each vintage and estate – reflecting the nuances of the Douro river me

A couple of months ago, I invited you to email us at [email protected] to share reflections on your relationship with the wines of Bordeaux. And you did. We had a greater response to Andrew Jefford’s October issue cover story (‘The problem with Bor

Cognac house Hennessy has teamed up with basketball star LeBron James to release a VS bottling. Hennessy VS x LeBron James (Alc 40%) is based on the blend for Hennessy Bras Armé, labelled with a portrait of James and his trademark crown. ‘As an admir

Rare 19th-century Château Latour and Burgundy have lit up the auction scene in Hong Kong in recent weeks, with Château La Mission Haut-Brion starring in London. A Christie’s auction of wines sourced from estates owned by Artémis Domaines – controlled