As you know I am based in France, and here wines for California are very hard to get by and purchase. I do love my champagne French Champagne wines, but it is always a great pleasure to taste and review wines from California. They have…

The variety in Italian wine is famously enormous. SOoo many different grape varieties made in different areas and villages. But the variety in Italian cheese is (almost surprisingly for a Frenchman like me) just as astonishing. There’s so many different wines and cheeses in Italy, that…

French airline Air France is working hard to provide its passengers with “a little piece of France’s terroir” in the air. What is the best way to transport customers to France before they’ve even arrived, or to leave them with a succulent aftertaste of Paris…

Prestige Cuvée Champagnes are the most refined expressions of a House’s savoir-faire (know-how). Not only are they generally made from the best fruits, often from Grand Cru or Premier Cru vineyards, but they are also aged for longer, frequently in oak, and elaborated from the…

At some point Australia was known internationally more for its bulk or cheap wine exports than for the fine wines its relatively old wine industry has been producing. Simply speaking, the good stuff, the Aussies would keep it for themselves! But after a few severe…

Since 1945, a famous artist designs the label of Bordeaux first growth Château Mouton Rothschild. The collection of labels and their original artwork can now be seen if you visit the Mouton Rothschild winery and its museum in Pauillac. I was there no sooner than…

Yes, I have bad news for you: there are a fair bit of calories in wine ☹ There is a reason why it is often said: “Wine IS Food.” As we know, wine is made of grape juice which is one of the sweetest fruit…

Bordeaux wines aren’t exactly renowned to be affordable ones! At least, that’s the reputation Bordeaux wines have acquired over the past decade or two, with the top estates now commanding very high, often speculative pricing. But let’s not forget that Bordeaux is the second biggest…

Cabernet Sauvignon is probably the most famous red grape variety in the world and is the backbone in many of the world’s most expensive wines. Its versatility in the vineyard and ability to adapt to various terroirs allows winemakers around the globe to produce quality still red wines with plenty…

Chateau Pédesclaux, classified fifth growth of Pauillac in 1855, certainly sits on a great terroir, nestled between the illustrious vineyards of neighboring Chateaus, Lafite-Rothschild, Mouton-Rothschild, and Pontet-Canet. But great location, and a potentially-great terroir is not all. Capturing the essence of its vineyards and bottling…