There is no wine quite like Champagne. Adored by people as diverse as Napoleon and Marilyn Monroe, the “sauté-bouchon” (jumping cork in French) as it was once called, has been the dedicated potion of magical nights since the 1600s. The epitome of the French art-de-vivre, the wine was born still, like those of Burgundy or Bordeaux, but wasn’t destined to remain so. A series of mistakes including early bottling led to fermentation to continue inside the bottle – and the effect of sun and heat during transportation would turn the wine into a fizzy beverage by the time it reached the ... Read More »

Brave Barossa. Australia’s most celebrated wine region, Barossa is also now celebrated as one of the world’s greatest wine producing areas. The home to some of the oldest vineyards in the world hosted courageous pioneering families that have shaped the landscape of Australian wine. Some vines are around 120 to 125 years old. And wherever you go within the Barossa Valley, you will feel this valiant history, culture and sense of liveliness. With over 100 wine producers, Barossa and its sister Eden Valley have been the field for wineries that are now fine boutique wine makers like Yalumba and Henschke, and ... Read More »

Few regions in the world have the luxury to be a drink and a place at the same time – and both so well protected. Champagne, which China has recently recognized an official appellation, a significant step in a country that is rising faster than the bubbles in the glass to become the world’s largest wine consuming country – is the most iconic of them. From the towns of Rheims and Epernay to the vineyards separating each little village, Champagne has it all: mountains (Montagne de Reims), hills (Cote des Blancs) and valleys (Vallee de la Marne). As you wander ... Read More »

  It is a lifestyle. A style of life, and a celebration of life. In a country by the Mediterranean Sea, Southern Europe more precisely. Just like reborn from a long history, this place is a testimony of vibrancy and legacy. Spain’s most famous wine region, La Rioja, is ready for the new century and has a wealth of exciting experiences to offer. To appreciate them, you might want to suspend your thinking for a while and let yourself go. Let your feelings, your emotions, your body govern. There is a force coming from inside. Just like in the best ... Read More »