The flavor of persimmon in wine of Gabala

I’d visited Kakheti, Kartli and Imereti before – Georgia’s dominant central wine-producing zones; but never the wild exterior. From the ice-crisped cemetery grass of the 11th-century church of St George, dominating the mountaintop village of Mravaldzali, we looked north across the mountains of the Greater Caucasus, Europe’s highest. The silence, and the vista, was daunting. Hundreds of dry, drab valleys lost themselves in as many snowy peaks. Russia lay beyond. There was, apparently, a way over: ...

When you have an idea that, in your first flush of inspiration, you think deserves to get beyond the breakfast table, you run straight into the modern dilemma. Is it a Tweet? Is it one for Facebook or Instagram? Should you just try it out on your nearest and dearest, or is there a book in it? A slim volume, or does it need several tomes to expound its profundity? My trade being what it is, and royalties being as modest as they are these days, I’ve rather given up on books. Writing new ones, that ...

California Wines launched the two-day event, which ran from 31 October, in order to pave the way for new export opportunities and give buyers and importers ‘unprecedented access’ to the state’s wines. The event featured masterclasses led by two prominent wine educators, Elaine Chukan Brown and Kelli A. White, as well as walk-around wine tastings and networking sessions. Buyers and importers from 26 countries were among a hand-selected group chosen for this first event. Those at ...