95-Point Vintage
345 Wines Blind Tasted
225 Wines Rated 90+ Points
PLUS A First Look at 2020
Ever since consumer passion was ignited for California Pinot Noir by the movie Sideways nearly two decades ago, the category has seen a rapid upward trajectory. Prominent wineries have worked to define the state’s established American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), while pioneering vintners have helped to carve out new ones. A younger generation of quality-oriented winemakers have also entered the picture, driving a proliferation of single-vineyard bottlings that highlight the state’s varying terroirs. Producers’ focus on top clones ideally suited for these areas has fueled new plantings, yet they’ve maintained a healthy respect for older vines as well. This has led to greater diversity among Pinot bottlings, with a wide range of styles on display, from ripe and lush to savory and racy. All told, California Pinot Noir couldn’t be on a more promising path.
Only one thing has been missing: a true benchmark vintage. There have been some outstanding years in which a handful of producers excelled or some AVAs peaked, including most recently 2018, 2016, and 2014. But an actual benchmark, with a consistent level of quality across all the major AVAs and a critical mass of producers hitting the mark, had yet to occur. That was until the 2019 harvest came along.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 30, 2022-Ausgabe von Wine Spectator.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 30, 2022-Ausgabe von Wine Spectator.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
New Zealand's Success Story - From small beginnings, the country's wines have ascended to global prominence
Since then, New Zealand has become one of the world’s most successful wine nations. Currently there are 102,000 acres planted, and 40 million cases were sold in 2023, according to the New Zealand Winegrowers. The tiny country produces less than 2% of the global wine supply, but it’s the world’s sixth-largest exporter of wine by value. Another thing that’s evolved? The image of corks no longer applies, as most vintners there eschew cork (only about 15% of the wines we review still use the closure).
Wine Is Healthiest Choice for Drinkers - Decades of research has linked light to moderate drinking, especially of wine, to a range of health benefits.
There’s also strong evidence that alcohol consumption raises the risk of certain cancers and that heavy drinking carries serious health risks. But the reasons why moderate drinking seems to be neutral or beneficial for some people and harmful for others remains a mystery.A new study sought to solve that puzzle. Looking at health and lifestyle information for a large population, the researchers found that while any alcohol posed risks for adults with existing health problems from poorer areas, healthy adults from wealthier areas suffered no additional risks from moderate drinking, and those who drink wine with food even enjoyed better health.
In Pursuit of the Perfect Crust
“Dough is always the hardest challenge for any home chef,” explains chef and restaurateur Tony Gemignani. “But it’s the foundation of any great pizza.”
SEAVEY VINEYARD
In Napa’s Conn Valley, a family-run winery marches to its own drum
CALIFORNIA RHONES Show Their Range
RECENT VINTAGES DELIVER EXCELLENT REDS AND WHITES IN AN ARRAY OF STYLES
Tuscany Comes of Age
Anchored by the 2021 vintage, Tuscan reds set a new standard of quality
The Absolute Best Places to Eat and Drink in America
PROFILES OF THE 63 WINE SPECTATOR GRAND AWARD WINNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TODAY, AS THE PROGRAM MARKS ITS 44TH YEAR
Events- A Grand Tour for Wine Spectator- a perfect day with an evening of outstanding wines.
A young couple in shorts and festival shirts sped into the ballroom of the New Orleans Marriott on a mission.
Big Wine Players Target Pinot Noir - Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they're looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing
Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they’re looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing
Restaurant Awards- Lazy Bear- Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it's so much more.
Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it’s so much more. This Mission District restaurant effortlessly strips away the formality of a multicourse dinner and replaces it with conviviality, nostalgia and curiosity. With reverence for time and place, Lazy Bear is an ode to California where guests dine in concert with the season and can explore diverse wines, including an impressive collection of older California vintages.
