Author: Jacky I.F. Cheong
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The Pastoral Symphony
Sandwiched between Wachau to its southwest and Kamptal to its northeast, Kremstal (literally: Krems Valley) is one of the top wine regions of Austria, producing some ... -
The Hope Against Hope
Detractors of Bordeaux wine often point to the fact that many bordelais estates have in the last decades become quasi-investment instruments, that vineyards have become akin ... -
The Czech Enigma
If Belgium is the amalgamation of Germanic and Latin cultures, Czech Republic would be one of Germanic and Slavic cultures. Situated in the heart of Europe, ... -
The Lusitanian Nobility
Known as Ribatejo (literally: banks of Tagus) until 2009, the wine region of Tejo takes its name directly from the all-important Tagus River, meandering more than ... -
The Atlantic Soul
Situated in the westernmost of the European continent, Portugal is less of a Mediterranean or southern European country than an Atlantic one. Sharing – if uncomfortably ... -
The Wildness of Beauty
United and indivisible as the republic proclaims to be, France is a country of irrepressible diversity, especially in its limitrophe regions such as Alsace, Brittany, Savoie, ... -
The Spirit of Japan III
(Continued from “The Spirit of Japan II” on 24 October 2014) Cognoscenti of wine, brandy and whisky would often find shochu both intriguing and confusing. For ... -
The Conservative Innovation
So renowned is the Alpine nature of Austria, that it not only appears on postcards, but also is referred to in the national anthem, sung to ... -
The Southern Charm
Occupying almost a third of Portugal, the southern province of Alentejo is renowned for producing wines combining complexity, fruitiness and richness. Although the region traditionally focused ... -
The Prussian Crown
As per traditional wisdom, Mosel collocates with femininity whereas Rheingau masculinity. Situated geographically – and stylistically – between the two, Nahe is often referred to as ... -
The Spirit of Japan II
(Continued from “The Spirit of Japan” on 5 September 2014) Although its history can be traced back to the 16th century, shochu was in a downward ... -
The Biodynamic Renaissance
The heritage of Château Durfort-Vivens (Deuxième Cru) can be traced back to the 12th century, and for 7 centuries it was continuously owned by the Durfort ... -
The Classicism of Modernity II
(Continued from “The Classicism of Modernity” on 20 June 2014) The birthplace of Dionysian legends, Greece is rightly proud of its ancient roots and rich heritage. ... -
The Shades of Green
Situated in the northwestern edge of Portugal facing the Atlantic Ocean, Vinho Verde is a little world of intrigue unto itself. First mentioned by Roman philosopher ... -
The Carthaginian Resurgence III
(Continued from “The Carthaginian Resurgence II” on 11 July 2014) Located at the northern tip of Africa, Tunisia is merely 155km away from the Sicilian city ... -
The Idyllic Treasure
Created by viticulturalist Henri Bouschet in 1866, Alicante Bouschet is a crossing of Petit Bouschet – per se a crossing of Teinturier du Cher and Aramon ... -
The Swedish Connection
Generally reliable and readily available, Grandes Marques champagnes remain dominant in terms of market share, but champagne-aficionados would be aware of, indeed delighted by, the emergence ... -
The Spirit of Japan
A linguistic rendition of the Chinese term shaojiu, shochu has been produced in Okinawa and Kyushu since the 16th century. What is now known as Okinawa ... -
The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance
The Anglo-Portuguese alliance is the oldest one in the world that is still in force. Ever since the Anglo-Portuguese Treaty of 1373, which is in turn ... -
The Lord of Barsac
In the enticing world of sweet Bordeaux, if Barsac exemplifies elegance as opposed to Sauternes’s power, Château Climens (Premier Cru) would be the epitome of unrivalled ... -
The Pride of Hungary
Located some 240km northeast of Budapest, Tokaj is Hungary’s preeminent wine region, so important in Hungarian history that its vineyards are mentioned in the national anthem. ... -
The Bijou of Margaux
Situated a stone’s throw away from the Gironde, Ferrière (Troisième Cru) is the little gem of a Bordeaux estate, comprising merely 16ha of vineyards. The vineyards ... -
The Liberal Outlook
Situated in southern Pauillac close to the Gironde, Haut-Bages Libéral (Cinquième Cru) is an estate that consistently punches above its weight. Planted with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon ... -
The Miracle of Immortality
Located 950km southwest of Lisbon, Madeira is one of the outermost European territories, and one that produces wine. The volcanic archipelago is one of the two ... -
The Septentrional Guardians
by Jacky I.F. Cheong However precise the Burgundian classification system is intended to be, it is intricate and somehow mystical. Starting from the sub-division of regions, ... -
The Carthaginian Resurgence II
by Jacky I.F. Cheong (Continued from “The Carthaginian Resurgence” on 6 June 2014) Whereas the first vines in modern-day Tunisia were planted by the Phoenicians during ...
