The flavor of bay leaf in wine of Colombia

Think of Colombia, think of balmy evenings dancing to salsa, fuelled by shots of aguardiente and arepas. But there’s plenty more than the anise-based spirit and cornmeal cakes to sample in the South American country. Chefs have stepped up their game to put gastronomy on the map, with sommeliers and bartenders following suit. Not just appreciating local ingredients and distilling spirits, they also seek out wines from around the world to accompany fine-dining experiences. Their endeavours have pa ...

A magnum of Lafite Rothschild 1887 sold for £22,500 ($28,300) at a Sotheby’s auction of ‘vinous treasures’ spanning nearly 200 years. The wine, held in storage with Octavian group in Wiltshire, had a pre-sale high estimate of £18,000. A single bottle of Château d’Yquem 1831 sold for £27,500 (pre-sale high estimate: £20,000). Another bottle of Yquem, from the 1896 vintage, sold for £15,000, tripling its pre-sale high estimate. ‘An extraordinary wine from a very great Sauternes vintage,’ said Sere ...

Screaming Eagle, Harlan Estate, Mayacamas and Spottswoode are among the major names featured in the Napa Valley Library Wine Auction via Sotheby’s. More than 50 lots have been assembled for the sale, which began online this week and will culminate in a live auction on 5 February in New York. Organised in partnership with trade body Napa Valley Vintners, the auction includes vintages back to 1978 and wines have been sourced direct from winery cellars. One rare lot involves a magnum of each of Scr ...