Wine Spectator March 31, 2022

Visit WineSpectator.com/033122 to find links to all of the following resources. FREE RESOURCES FOR ALL WINESPECTATOR.COM READERS WINE & HEALTH Health News was among our Top Stories of 2021. Keep on top of the latest research with our regular Health News reports, ask questions in Wine & Health Q&A and sign up for Wine & Healthy Living, our twice-monthly email newsletter. DATE NIGHT We’re sure your darling will be impressed when you whip up a recipe from a top chef, present the perfect wine pairing and wrap up with a delicious dessert. We’ve got everything you need to make a romantic evening a success. NEED-TO-KNOW NEWS For both consumers and the trade, WineSpectator.com is the place to go to find out which big-name wineries have been sold, how tariffs might impact your wine choices,…

As reflected in our Jan. 31 - Feb. 28 issue and on WineSpectator.com, I recently realigned our tasting staff in order to position our editors with appropriate wine region assignments for the coming years. This was partially in response to longtime friend and senior editor Kim Marcus advising me earlier that after 33 years with Wine Spectator, he was ready to retire at the end of 2021. Kim’s decision came as a surprise to me as he was only 62 years old, yet I recognized that he had devoted half his life to being part of the Wine Spectator family. I told him that while we would miss having him on hand, I was fully supportive of him beginning his next chapter. He was looking forward to traveling with his wife,…

Setting Examples Thank you for highlighting Carlton McCoy and the winemakers he hired to run the Lawrence brands (cover, Dec. 15, 2021). With barely a mention of their diverse backgrounds, their stories were focused on their talents and work ethic, and how they are successfully navigating new tastes and new technologies within old expectations. In an industry dominated by white men, this is one example where having the right right-hand man (or woman) expands the diversity down the chain, and we are all the better for it. The interview with Tahiirah Habibi (Grapevine, Dec. 31, 2021 – Jan. 15, 2022) addresses diversity issues more directly, and it’s clear these conversations are overdue. Shani BrownMarietta, Ga. Canadian Invites I enjoyed the personal touch that Bruce Sanderson brought to his column “A Very Personal Experience” (Nov. 15,…

Now In Our IGTV Archives JAN. 19 Pete Seghesio, founder, Journeyman Wines JAN. 12 Federica Boffa, president, Pio Cesare JAN. 6 Josh Scott, co-owner, Allan Scott Family Winemakers DEC. 29 Zak Miller, winemaker, Domaine Carneros DEC. 22 Maurizio Zanella, founder, Ca’ del Bosco DEC. 15 Michelle DeFeo, president, Champagne Laurent-Perrier DEC. 8 Yannick Benjamin, sommelier, restaurateur and co-owner of Contento Restaurant DEC. 1 Maximilian Riedel, CEO, Riedel Crystal NOV. 17 Matteo Lunelli, CEO, Ferrari-Trento NOV. 10 Jermaine Stone, CEO, Cru Luv Selections, and host of The Original Wine & Hip-Hop Show WATCH ON INSTAGRAM Scan the QR code to start watching on our IGTV channel, or visit instagram.com/wine_spectator/channel…

Wine has been largely absent from the raging debate over inflation in recent months. While the wholesale price of beef is up by 20% and gas costs are at their highest level in seven years, a bottle of wine has been one of the few products consumers could count on to stay stable. Not for long. Price pressures have simply not caught up to consumers yet. When they do, the perfect storm of inflation (up 6.2% in the United States in the past year, the highest rate in decades), supply chain bottlenecks, a small global grape harvest and a surge in demand will mean consumers should brace themselves for spikes in wine prices. “I’ve never seen inflationary pressure like this,” said Rocco Lombardo, president of Wilson Daniels, an importer that represents wineries…

After an investigation that began more than a year ago, the Court of Master Sommeliers–Americas (CMS-A) has expelled six Master Sommeliers: Bob Bath, Fred Dame, Fred Dexheimer, Drew Hendricks, Joseph Linder and Matt Stamp. The move follows allegations by multiple female wine professionals who were studying for the organization’s exams that some of the most senior members committed sexual assault. They also allege that the group suffered from structural toxicity in which male leaders exploited the mentorship-based nature of the organization. “From this deep disappointment and betrayal, we will continue channeling the learned lessons into growth and positive change for our organization,” said CMS-A chair Emily Wines in a statement. Wines is part of the new board of directors elected in 2020 as part of the organization’s restructuring efforts. Some members see…