F+R: It seems that top winemakers at some point in their career had to take risks to achieve their goals in producing fine wines. Looking back over your career what were those big risks and what were your feelings at the time? Michel Chapoutier: There are risks in attempting to attain quality, that is to say when we go from ...

Michel Chapoutier: F+R Interview

The Vintage Henri Boillot is widely seen as the top micro-negociant for the production of the Cote d’Or’s finest white wines, including Le Montrachet. He abhors heavy whites therefore expect the style of his white wines to be lean, precise and razor-sharp.  His red wine profile however is notably different. Whilst he believes acidity and tension are vital for ...

Henri Boillot on Burgundy 2018

F+R: How good is 2018 as a vintage – does it live up to the hype? Steen Ohman: 2018 was a hot year – compared by some to 1947. But despite the warm conditions, the quality of the wines on average seems to be very fine, hence living up to some of the vintage’s initial hype. The 2018 vintage is, ...

Winehog's Early Impressions on the Burgundy 2018s

“L'Apparita is simply epic” 
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com (2016 Vintage) “Impeccable, refined and elegant, the 1992 Apparita might very well be the single most finessed Tuscan Merlot I have ever tasted.” 
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com “It offers a profound sense of beauty, harmony and Merlot purity” 
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (2016 Vintage) From the Estate’s inception in 1979, Castello di Ama was ...

L'Apparita - Behind the Bottle

Despite Timo’s multi-generational family history of winemaking in the Wuttemburg (Baden) region of Germany, his ascendancy into the wine world was not the familiar path of simply taking over the family farm. Timo left Germany to explore the world and ended up in Australia in 1991, fell in love with a girl from Melbourne and spent the next few years ...

Timo Mayer - bring back the funk!

Critics and winemakers alike have put the 2015 vintage on a par with the great 2010, sharing similar levels of opulence and voluptuousness on the palate.  The 2015 vintage has produced some incredibly juicy yet vibrant wines. Wines with amazing voluptuousness backed with great acidity, fatness and freshness. This style, like 2010 is a real crowd-pleaser, but with trends ...

Brunello di Montalcino 2015 - On a par with 2010, arguably better!

“2018 is the best vintage I have ever made… What I love about the 2018s is the shock every time I taste it… It is a vintage I have been dreaming about for many years”. 
Nicolas Potel Nicolas grew up in Burgundy, learning his skills as a vigneron under the guidance of his father, the highly respected Gerard Potel at ...

“2018 is the best vintage I have ever made… What I love about the 2018s is the shock every time I taste it… It is a vintage I have been dreaming about for many years”

Nicolas Potel on Roche de Bellene 2018

We tend to focus on the weather conditions in the lead-up to the harvest and while the grapes are being picked, but a key factor in defining how the 2018 crop turned out was the winter before, which was grim and excessively rainy. This proved to be a blessing however during the drought months of high summer which followed. The ...

Jasper Morris MW (Inside Burgundy) provides an early insight to the Burgundy 2018 Vintage

Whilst Juan Carlos López de Lacalle produces some of the finest wines in the Rioja region, in 2015 he quit the appellation opting to declassify his Artadi wines and actively disassociate with the Rioja DOC. Speaking with Juan Carlos it is easy to understand his frustrations: he doesn’t want his wines to be classified by the length of time the ...

Artadi - The Rioja Revolutionary's Latest Releases

F+R: You have travelled all over the world visiting vineyards – where have been the most inspirational places you have visited and why? Edgardo del Popolo: I enjoy travelling and meeting people (especially those who do the same as I do) and I like a vast array of places with their particularities. But what I really think makes a difference ...

We speak to Edy del Popolo about the extraordinary wines from Per Se

Argentina's Finest Wines

F+R: You started producing wines from 2005 – did you buy a developed vineyard or did you start from scratch? Craig Wessels: We started with about 5 hectares of 5-year-old vineyards that had been planted in 1999, prior to our purchase of the farm in 2004.  The vines were a bit neglected and some were later removed and replanted. F+R: ...

Interview with Craig Wessels - Restless River

Thanks to Andrew Jefford for sharing his Vintage overview first published on the Wine Scholar Guild website. Andrew (similarly to many wine makers we have spoken to) believes the Cote de Beaune white wines are outstanding in 2018 (4.5 vintage) and almost as good as the universally praised red wines throughout the Cote d'Or (5 vintage).  Chablis After a ...

Andrew Jefford - Burgundy 2018

Roberto is such a calm and measured man, but even he could not hide his excitement over his latest 2019 vintage as he arrived in London buoyed by the latest harvest. Fortunately we managed to tear him away from his latest batch of fermenting wines for a flying 24 hour visit to host a special event presenting some of the ...

Roberto Voerzio hosts Fine+Rare Event at Luca Restaurant

The family name Colin is a hard one to escape in the Cote de Beaune, with a handful of prolific producers dotted around Saint Aubin, Puligny and Chassagne Montrachet all sharing the name. Consumers could be forgiven for getting a little confused over which one is which! We caught up with Joseph Colin, the newest Colin to go solo, following ...

Joseph Colin - The new Domaine on the Cote de Beaune Block

William Kelley, Wine Advocate F+R: After tasting in Burgundy and Champagne consistently over the last couple of years, what do you feel has been the most important developments in each of the regions in that time? William Kelley: I think that Burgundians are getting used to handling warm fruit. If you're not used to making wine from warm grapes, it's easy ...

Burgundy 2018 - What The Critics Are Saying

F+R's Head of Spirits David Walters made his second visit this summer to the WhistlePig Distillery in Vermont to hand select some of their finest single casks for the F+R Custom Cask Program. The distillery is leading the global Rye whiskey revival and after selling out of our first exclusive 15YO cask earlier this year, we couldn’t wait to return ...

The WhistlePig Custom Cask Program

F+R: After tasting in Burgundy and Champagne consistently over the last couple of years, what do you feel has been the most important developments in each of the regions in that time? William Kelley: I think that Burgundians are getting used to handling warm fruit. If you're not used to making wine from warm grapes, it's easy for things to go ...

The Wine Advocate's William Kelley shares his Burgundy 2018 Early Insight

Last weekend F+R were one of the proud sponsors of the Venice Hospitality Challenge, a yacht race that takes place around the island of Venice. It is an incredible spectacle in which racing yachts, with a minimum length of 60 feet, take part in an around the city boat race. It has been dubbed the Grand Prix of Venice and ...

F+R Sponsor's Venice Hospitality Challenge

Nicolas has lived and breathed Cote Rotie since he was a boy, working alongside his uncle in the vineyards and winery, and in the summers with his father at Guigal. Following his uncle's passing, Nicolas inherited one of the most prime vineyards in the highly revered lieu-dit of “Les Grandes Places” in the Cote Brune of Cote Rotie. Previously these ...

Nicolas Champagneux - Producer Portrait

The 2016 Vintage 2016 was undoubtedly a sensational vintage in Napa. Whilst it was the 5th warm vintage in a row, the season had a very wet start, so it was the first vintage in Napa since 2011 not classified as a drought vintage. For many, this brought more finesse to the tannins, more minerality and more balance to the ...

Napa Valley 2016 & 2017 Vintage Insights

The precariousness of Venice's future in the face of rising water levels has never felt more immediate than this week, with record water levels and resulting damage leading to a state of emergency being declared. Whilst flooding is a fact of nature for Venissa's vineyards, this week's events underscore how fragile this winemaking endeavour really is.  With the newest ...

Venissa: the unique terroir of Venice's flooded vineyards

Gianlorenzo Neri from top Brunello producer Casanova di Neri reveals his hidden gems in and around the region of Montalcino. Famed for its pinci pasta, wild boar and of course world class wines this is a thriving region for the travelling epicurean. Gianlorenzo provides us with his top restaurant tips, favourite wine lists and the best times in the year ...

24 Hours in... Brunello di Montalcino

Chateau Margaux is one of the world’s most iconic and historic wineries, producing some of the finest wine in the region for over 600 years. Despite its historical roots it has never rested on its laurels, remaining at the forefront of top Bordeaux wine production. More than ever, the owners and team are committed to retaining its reputation, investing huge ...

Chateau Margaux - Talking Terroir with Aurelien Valance

Undoubtedly one of our most memorable stops during our Autumn visit to Burgundy this year was the magnificent cellar of Olivier Bernstein in the heart of the old district of Beaune. Olivier Bernstein’s property is breathtaking, even before trying the wines in the cellar below.  Olivier had the property completely renovated between 2005 and 2010, with the help of ...

Undoubtedly one of our most memorable stops during our Autumn visit to Burgundy this year was the magnificent cellar of Olivier Bernstein in the heart of the old district of Beaune. Olivier Bernstein’s property is breathtaking, even before trying the wines in the cellar below. 

Olivier Bernstein's Bespoke Burgundy

Simonit & Sirch Launch New Pruning Course

The evening started with Piero Antinori explaining how Solaia first came about, how it was effectively the result of a very lucky accident, much in the same way as Champagne. In 1978, the vines used to make Antinori’s Tignanello produced an unusually high yield of Cabernet Sauvignon. Rather than waste this, or blend it into the other wines, they decided ...

Solaia Vertical with Antonio Galloni, Piero Antinori and Renzo Cotarell

The Birth of the Cult Wine in Napa Valley The story of Maya is a fascinating one. Widely seen as Napa’s first cult wine, it was catapulted to stardom following the 1992 vintage becoming the second ever wine from the US to be awarded 100 points from Robert Parker. This was a big deal since Parker at that time was ...

Maya Returns Home to Dalla Valle Vineyards

Introducing Bloomsbury Atelier CUBANA - the first in a series of geographical spirits from the Creative House of the Bloomsbury Distillery. This unique distillery searches for experiences across the globe, combining beautiful flavours and their geographies to create incredible spirits that resist definition. Distilling the spirit of a journey This inaugural Bloomsbury Atelier spirit, CUBANA, is number one in a ...

Introducing Bloomsbury Atelier CUBANA - the first in a series of geographical spirits from the Creative House of the Bloomsbury Distillery. This unique distillery searches for experiences across the globe, combining beautiful flavours and their geographies to create incredible spirits that resist definition.

Bloomsbury Atelier CUBANA

Located in the prime Central district, HOME Hong Kong is a truly one-of-a-kind space for fine wine expertise and knowledge, a place for collectors to discover, drink and purchase exceptional wines. HOME will bring together the living stories of the rarest, curated collectibles and celebrate the craftsmanship and beauty behind them. The Cellar The climatically controlled, state-of-the-art cellar will store ...

HOME Hong Kong

As we move into September and the final few weeks prior to harvest, winemakers from around Europe are starting to get a good understanding of how the vintage is looking. We spoke to a number of top producers in Bordeaux to get an early insight into what we might expect from the 2019 vintage. We are pleased to report there ...

EARLY 2019 VINTAGE INSIGHT FROM BORDEAUX

For all of us Burgundy obsessives the individual plots conjure up a magical sense of variety in Burgundy. The Grand Crus and even the top Premier Cru wines provide such unique personalities, aficionados can’t help but get attached to particular sites whose terroir speaks directly to them. Whilst there are many great single vineyard sites throughout the Cote d’Or we ...

We identify some plots that might not have the cachet of the top sites but have real personality and offer fantastic value for the shrewd Burgundy buyer.

Top Under-the-Radar Single Plots in Burgundy

With the Burgundy 2018 En Primeur sales in full swing we thought it topical to offer our top tips for visiting the region. With two native Burgundians in our buying team, who better than them to outline the local delicacies not to miss, the top wine lists and the best restaurants in the region. 
Top Special Occasion Restaurant – Lameloise (3* ...

With two native Burgundians in our Buying team, who better to outline the best restaurants and top wine lists in the region and the local delicacies not to be missed.

24 Hours in... Burgundy

It is that time of year again when it is time to plan which wines you are drinking over the festive period. We thought we would ask some of our favourite winemakers and estates what they are planning to drink, to help give you some inspiration. Special thanks to Charles Philipponnat for his detailed response, he will certainly be enjoying an ...

We speak to Champagne Philipponnat, Chateau Margaux, Chateau Angelus, Roberto Voerzio, Dal Forno + more

What winemakers are drinking this Christmas

Our visit to Domaine Hudelot Noellat during our autumn stint in Burgundy was easily one of the highlights of the trip. Expectations were already high since Charles Van Canneyt (winemaker at the domaine) has been on a roll, producing fantastic wines at this property since taking over from his uncle in 2008. Whilst Charles prefers the cooler vintages in Burgundy, ...

One of the most impressive line up of wines we tasted in 2018 came from Domaine Hudelot-Noellat. We spoke to winemaker Charles Van Canneyt about the vintage and each of his specific terroirs. 

Domaine Hudelot Noellat - Top picks of 2018

The Rhone Valley has been enjoying a consecutive set of remarkable vintages since 2015. According to Michel Chapoutier, 2018 has continued in the same vein and he describes it as “a terrific year”. Indeed, the Rhone Valley followed a similar path to the rest of France in 2018. A very wet start to the year helped provide plenty of water ...

RHONE VALLEY 2018 VINTAGE INSIGHT

F+R: As a wine lover and epicurean how would you best spend 24 hours in Montpellier and surrounding area? Andrew Jefford: This slightly depends if you are here in summer or winter.  If you’re here in the summer when it’s very hot, you might want to be near the sea and go swimming: sandy, super-safe and very child-friendly hereabouts.  There ...

24 HOURS IN… MONTPELLIER WITH ANDREW JEFFORD

Following our F+R event last Saturday we caught up with Head Sommelier at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay – James Lloyd. We talk to him about the challenges and rewards associated with working as Head Sommelier in one of the world’s most acclaimed dining venues.

 What is the preferred part of your role as Head Sommelier at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay? James Lloyd: There ...

We speak to the Head Sommelier at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay about managing one of the world's top wine lists

Q+A with James Lloyd - Head Sommelier, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay

We found a moment to quiz Matt Abé award-winning Chef de Cuisine at Gordon Ramsay about the inspiration behind the unique menu curated for the recent Chateau Margaux event, the importance wine plays at the restaurant and his close working partnership with Head Sommelier James Lloyd. 


 What is particular about Bordeaux wines that most affects pairing food with them?  ...

We speak to the Chef de Cuisine at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay about curating the perfect menu to pair with Chateau Margaux

Q+A with Matt Abé - Chef de Cuisine, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay

Last weekend FINE+RARE hosted a very special wine tasting dinner alongside Alexandra Petit-Mentzelopoulos of Chateau Margaux. An introduction to the history and unique philosophy of this legendary estate was presented alongside a specially curated tasting menu from top chef Matt Abé - Chef de Cuisine at the three Michelin star flagship restaurant in Chelsea.
 
A cold, rainy Saturday evening in December; Christmas around ...

A legendary flight of the finest vintages from Chateau Margaux paired with a specially curated menu by Matt Abé.

The Glory Years of Chateau Margaux at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay

This year the team at FINE+RARE encountered some astonishing bottles on our quest to source the finest wines and spirits from around the world. We asked our colleagues to highlight some of their favourites from 2019... Corentin Margier – Head of Buying Unicorn Wine/Spirit of the Year (something you are unlikely to taste/ experience
again): Clos Vougeot 1937, Maison Leroy The ...

We reveal our most memorable bottles of the year

Top Wines + Spirits of 2019: FINE+RARE Staff Picks

As we look ahead to a world opening up again, our minds are full of ideas of things to see and do this summer. For any true epicurean, a list of top restaurants to visit requires serious deliberation. To help inspire you, we asked some of our favourite winemakers from around the world to give their recommendations.

 Alsace – Olivier Humbrecht Food and wine are ...

Top picks according to Oilvier Humbrecht, Christophe Roumier, Gianlorenzo Neri and more…

Where Winemakers Eat: Part 1

One of our most memorable visits and tastings this year was in Monthelie at the historic cellars of Domaine Potinet Ampeau. Ever since trying a collection of their aged whites a couple of years ago I’ve been captivated by the pristine quality and structure of their very mature white wines. This autumn we were finally able to discover the cellars ...

Specialists in vin de garde, these wines are built to age

Producer Portrait: Domaine Potinet-Ampeau

January is the month in which our Burgundy 2018 En Primeur campaign really hits top gear with the majority of domaines releasing their wines to market for the first time. Stay tuned for releases from Groffier, Lamarche, Gros Frère et Sœur and many more, including our top picks from Domaine Hudelot Noellat and Domaine Tortochot.
 Outside of the En Primeur ...

Top wine releases due out this month

Wines To Watch in January 2020

At this time of the year the leading wine critics reflect on their wine highlights of the year. We look at some of the top picks from Antonio Galloni, James Suckling, James Halliday and Jeb Dunnuck whose range and variety only highlight the current health of the world of fine wine today. We identify some of their top picks for ...

Critics Round-Up - Top Wines of 2019

Domaine Georges Lignier has some of the most enviable Grand Cru sites in Burgundy with
significant holdings in Clos de la Roche, Clos St Denis and Bonnes Mares. Based
in the village of Morey St Denis, the domaine is today run by the ever-thoughtful
Benoit Stehly, the great grandson of Georges Lignier, who has been in charge of
the property since 2007.  It ...

Domaine Georges Lignier - 2018 Vintage Update

This is no ordinary Chardonnay from the Maconnias, the Domaine de la Bongran Vire Clesse has its own particular style thanks to some rather unique terroir and an uncompromising approach to its winemaking. The vines are organically-farmed on a 15 hectare estate planted on white marl in the hamlet of Quintaine, just north of Clessé. Jean Thevenet and his son
Gautier ...

Behind the Bottle - Vire Clesse by Domaine de la Bongran


 
 It was about this time last year we bumped into Giovanni Angeli, winemaker of one of Barolo’s top producers – Massolino. He was over in London to promote his latest 2015 releases. Despite the positivity surrounding the ‘15s, Giovanni just couldn’t contain his excitement about the vintage that was to follow. At this time, the wines were still ...

We speak to Giovanni Angeli, winemaker of one of Barolo's top producers - Massolino -  on just how good the Barolo 2016 vintage is.

Barolo 2016 -Early Vintage Insight

Japanese whisky shortages have made the headlines once
again and these days, it no longer comes as a shock to see another iconic
Japanese whisky discontinued.  Over the past twenty years a fanatic, ever-growing fan
base has risen around Japanese whisky. While the category deserves nothing less,
this increased popularity continues to deplete the remaining stock from Japan's
largest and most popular producers. 
 ...

Our new resident Spirits reporter George Koutsakis looks at the ever increasing supply and demand issues currently plaguing Japanese whisky producers. 

The Japanese Whisky Shortage Grows: Taketsuru Range Discontinued


 
 The Burgundy
buzz has reached fever pitch this weekend with all of the leading critics
publishing their thoughts and scores on the vintage, followed by the majority
of Burgundy’s top producers showcasing the vintage in both London and Hong Kong.
 

 Amongst
all the chatter we spoke to winemaker and proprietor Chantal Tortochot whose
wines in 2018 offer fantastic value for the quality. ...

Top-Value Pick from Gevrey Chambertin in 2018 - we look at how the domaine has adapted as the climate in Burgundy has changed.

Domaine Tortochot Producer Portrait

The history of Piedmont as a fine wine region and the
establishment of Nebbiolo as a single varietal wine predates the unification of
Italy. Yet the region’s rise to international fame as Italy’s finest wine was
intrinsically linked to the political role that the Piedmont Kingdom played in
the unification of Italy. 
We look back at the rise of Barolo as the “King of ...


We look back at the rise of Barolo as the “King of Wines” as its neighbouring sibling Barbaresco had a less fortunate and rocky road to fortune.


The Historic Rise of Nebbiolo - Italy's "King of Wines"

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