Wines made from Merlot grapes of Catalogne

If you’re looking to replenish your wine rack or spirits cabinet ahead of Christmas, then Black Friday is a great time to do it. With all major drinks retailers offering discounts on bottles in their range, you’ll be able to get some great deals on wine, Champagne and spirits. Offers have already started, with new deals going live on Black Friday and throughout the weekend into Cyber Monday. So it’s worth checking back regularly if you are looking for a particular producer or b ...

My book The Complete Bordeaux, which has been revised every five years, is soon to be published in its fourth edition. This may seem like excessive haste, given the scope of the book, but it is astonishing how rapidly changes can take place in the region. Burgundy, in contrast, is relatively stable, since most properties are family-owned and tend to stay that way. But not so in Bordeaux, where there are ample opportunities for newcomers to acquire established properties, as they have been doing ...

When I first visited Bordeaux, the sleepy landscape of turreted stone châteaux and vineyards seemed timeless, with traditions so well established you felt they would go on forever. But new energy in this famous wine region is visible and audible: bees buzz and sheep graze in organic vineyards; brand-new cellars brim with sustainable features and wine fermenting in trendy amphorae; unusual grapes are gaining attention; and the number of women in key roles keeps growing. Yoga among the vines is s ...