Wine Spectator April 30, 2021

I hope all Wine Spectator readers have had a chance to enjoy our previous issue. The March 31 cover story, “Dogs of California Wine Country,” was a departure from our usual coverage. I must admit that all of us here are extremely proud of this effort. The cuddly California winery dogs, along with a gallery of pets from more than three dozen M. Shanken employees, triggered a joyful response from readers. So we have set up a special photo gallery on winespectator.com for readers to share their own dogs with us! Hundreds of readers already have, and my guess is we may reach thousands. You can share a photo of the puppy you love by visiting our gallery submission page at WineSpectator.com/DogPhotos (and check out the full gallery at WineSpectator.com/Dogs). We’d…

“If I’m ever depressed or grumpy, I’m going to look at this cover to remind me of the feeling of pure joy. I hope it does the same thing for your customers!”—Kim Stare Wallace, Cover, March 31 Where There’s a Will (and Wine) Pre-pandemic, as three couples we would often share Friday night dinners at wine-friendly L.A. restaurants and bring brown-bagged bottles of a given theme and discuss them, during the course of the meal. At the end we would reveal the identities of the wines and further enjoy their merits, or lack thereof. Then came the virus. Recognizing that we were in for a long haul, we devised a strategy that would allow us to continue the wine sharing evenings; we have done that each and every Friday night since early April…

Now In Our IGTV Archives FEB. 17 Peter Gago, chief winemaker for Australia’s iconic Penfolds winery FEB. 10 Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta, owner of Bolgheri winery Tenuta San Guido, maker of Sassicaia FEB. 3 Annette Alvarez-Peters, former head of Costco Corp.’s alcohol sales; current advisor to Wine Unify JAN. 28 Brice de la Morandiere, managing director at Burgundy’s Domaine Leflaive JAN. 26 Olivier Krug, managing director of Krug Champagne JAN. 22 Marilisa Allegrini, CEO of Italy’s historic Allegrini, based in Valpolicella JAN. 19 Axel Heinz, winemaker, Tuscany’s Ornellaia and Masseto JAN. 14 Jean-Baptiste Rivail, CEO of Napa’s Newton Vineyard JAN. 5 Véronique Drouhin-Boss, winemaker, Maison Joseph Drouhin and Domaine Drouhin WATCH ON INSTAGRAM Scan the QR code to start watching on our IGTV channel, or visit instagram.com/wine_spectator/channel…

When oncologist Christian Squillante traveled to South Africa in February 2020, he enjoyed safari rides and explored the local wine regions. But halfway into the trip, the Minneapolis, Minn.–based doctor developed a fever and severe fatigue that lasted two days. He recovered quickly and didn’t give it much thought until he opened a bottle of Chenin Blanc he had brought back from his trip and found it tasted like water. “I was having a friend over for one of our weekly wine nights and suddenly noticed that I couldn’t taste anything,” said Squillante. Nearly a year later, Squillante says his senses of taste and smell still haven’t fully returned, and most flavors are “muted.” Pro golfer Greg Norman had a similar experience in December 2020, when he believes he contracted COVID-19 at…

John and Kathe Dyson, owners of Williams Selyem, one of Sonoma’s best-known Pinot Noir producers, announced that they have sold a minority stake in the winery to the Faiveley family of Burgundy’s Domaine Faiveley. The price and share of ownership were not disclosed. The Dysons plan to maintain control of the winery for at least the next three years, at which point they will reexamine the partnership. The Faiveleys will then have an opportunity to acquire a larger stake or even full control. No changes are expected in the day-to-day operations. “[Kathe and I] are both in our mid-seventies, though neither looks or acts like it,” Dyson teased. “I still enjoy walking vineyards, but there comes a time when you should start to think about a successor.” Dyson was resolute in keeping the…

The Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation has donated $100,000 to the Glancy Wine Education Foundation as part of its campaign to support diversity in the wine industry. The contribution will fund scholarships for students demonstrating economic need and a desire to start or advance a career in the wine or hospitality industry using certifications offered at San Francisco Wine School. Glancy is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting disadvantaged and minority communities with scholarships to further their professional wine education. The donated funds provide a significant boost to the foundation, allowing it to support more than 30 students in need of financial aid, especially those from disadvantaged and minority communities, during the most difficult time facing the hospitality industry in decades. “We are positively thrilled at the generosity shown by Wine Spectator’s Scholarship…