World of Bacchus
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The Latino-Slavic Crossroad
Subsequent to the dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (a.k.a. USSR or Soviet Union), the former Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic (a.k.a. Moldavian ... -
The Ascending Villages
Situated south of Côte Chalonnaise, Mâconnais is the southernmost subregion of Burgundy in oelonogical terms. Prior to the 20th century, Mâconnais used to be ... -
The Bavarian Royalty
Wine for aristocrats, prelates and officers; rum for pirates and seamen; beer for foot soldiers and workmen… This ultra-traditionalist perception, bordering on the feudal ... -
The Burgundian Newcomer
With 100+ appellations, 600+ premier cru and 30+ grand cru climats, Burgundy is quite possibly the most intellectually demanding region to understand. The pleasure ... -
The Southern Alps
With its 10 wine regions lying between the 36th and 45th parallels south, New Zealand is the most southerly wine-producing country in the world. ... -
The Czech Enigma III
(Continued from “The Czech Enigma II” on 16 January 2014) While Austria and Germany have left an indelible mark on Czech history, France might ... -
The Franco-Iberian Enclave
Located in northern Spain, immediately north of Rioja and east of the País Vasco (Basque Country), Navarra is both a Denominación de Origen (since ... -
The Portuguese Guardian
Of the various wine regions in Portugal, Douro is no doubt the jewel in the crown. It is one of the very few wine-producing ... -
The Franco-German Crossroads
Alsace (or Elsass in German) is perhaps the focal point of Franco-German relations, itself having changed hands for no less than 6 times in ... -
The Czech Enigma II
(Continued from “The Czech Enigma” on 19 December 2014) For more than a millennium, the Czech lands were part of the mainly German-speaking Holy ... -
The Shades of Green II
(Continued from “The Shades of Green” on 1 October 2014) The term “Vinho Verde” not only refers to the particular style of refreshing and ... -
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, ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 – ... -
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, ... -
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 ... -
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, ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 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% ... -
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 ...
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