Decanter September 2022

I write this a few days after returning from an extended Decanter trip to the USA – the first, for obvious reasons, for some considerable time. One reason was to attend our New York Fine Wine Encounter, which you can see more of on p12 of this issue. It was tremendous to meet a new set of wine lovers, and their unabashed enthusiasm was absolutely heartwarming. Great 60th floor venue, too. It’s not often you see helicopters flying past – from above. But before NY we took a trip to California’s Napa Valley, which was fascinating and impressive. There are some highly interesting things going on out West at the moment, and while you can still find those stereotypical huge ‘fruit bomb’ Napa Cabernets if you try, there are now…

CHARLES CURTIS MW is a widely published journalist, author and fine wine advisor based in New York. Formerly head of wine at Christie’s in the US and Asia, he started out as a chef and travelled to Paris to train at Le Cordon Bleu LAURA FOSTER is a widely published freelance journalist and writer with a particular focus on spirits and cocktails. She was formerly deputy editor of UK on-trade drinks title Imbibe and bar & drinks editor for Square Meal NANCY GILCHRIST MW is a wine educator, speaker and consultant, currently working with the Wine Scholar Guild to create new online educational resources and as UK ambassador for the Consorzio Vini Alto Adige in NE Italy BROOKE HERRON is a US West Coast-based travel, food and drink writer. Also…

Predicted growth for UK wine due to climate change A warmer climate may further boost UK wine production in the next two decades and Pinot Noir is a grape variety to watch, new ‘near-term’ modelling has found. More parts of England and Wales are likely to become suitable for vineyards up to 2040, according to a study published in the Oeno One journal. Excellent vintage conditions seen in 2018 could become more common in regions including East Anglia, Lincolnshire, south-central England, northeast Wales and coastal areas in southwest England and southern Wales. With a focus on Pinot Noir, the researchers’ modelling found rising temperatures could resemble those seen in Champagne, Burgundy and Baden (Germany) over the past 20 years. Yet UK wineries will need flexibility to adapt to new challenges,…

Stay up to date with the latest wine news on decanter.com, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter @Decanter ■ Oregon wine lovers have a new ‘appellation’ to explore after US government officials approved the state’s 23rd AVA (American Viticultural Area). ‘Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon’ AVA was created on 5 July and sits within the Willamette Valley AVA. Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Tempranillo are the main grape varieties in the new AVA, home to three wineries and 10 vineyards, said the Oregon Wine Board and Willamette Valley Wineries Association. ■ An alleged wine and whisky investment fraud scheme has purportedly duped more than 150 people in the US out of about $13m. One person connected to the alleged scheme, and from the UK, was arrested…

1 The iconic Manhattan skyline 2 Amasterclass is set up before the guests arrive 3 4 Decanter expert Michaela Morris and Decanter Premium Editor Georgina Hindle at Michaela’s masterclass ‘Brunello di Montalcino: A study in contrasts’, which featured 10 of the region’s finest wines from different vineyard areas, all from the 2013 vintage 5 José Ramón Urtasun of Remírez de Ganuza poured Rioja for guests 6 7 The Champagne Krug masterclass showcased Krug Grande Cuvée 170ème Edition, Krug Clos du Mesnil 2006, Krug 2006, Krug Grande Cuvée 164ème Edition, Krug 2008, Krug Grande Cuvée 162ème Edition, and was hosted by Krug’s cellar master Julie Cavil 8 Alexis Leven-Mentzelopoulos of Château Margaux hosted a hugely popular masterclass highlighting four decades of these sensational wines 9 Master of Wine and New York…

Don’t bottle up your thoughts – email editor@decanter.com Sussex vs English wine As a Sussex resident you may think that I would be thrilled that Sussex has been granted official PDO status (‘Uncorked’, August 2022 issue). Heralded by many as a momentous achievement and hugely significant, I am less sure. While it would be churlish not to raise a glass to those who have tirelessly campaigned for this, I would urge caution. Sussex does share a similar climate and terroir to the Champagne region. But surely it is difficult to argue that Kent, Hampshire or Dorset lack distinctive or even similar terroir, and already the PDO status for Sussex has sown disquiet in the developing English wine industry, postentially fostering division and confusing the public. Surely the case that needs…