CATEGORIES

NORTHERN RHONE 2018

Thanks to large yields helping to balance the very ripe fruit, the north fared better than the south this year, delivering plush, generous and potent wines. It’s a vintage that favours the reds, particularly Côte-Rôtie, with whites from St-Joseph and St-Péray performing better than Condrieu. Matt Walls reports, based on his extensive tastings and visits in the region

THE PELOPONNESE, GREECE

Ancient wonders, magnificent landscapes and diverse wines made with dedication, from local varieties – this dramatic peninsula in the south of mainland Greece has much to offer the adventurous traveller. Make the most of a holiday here with a wine-focused road trip, says Ines Salpico

DOMAINE NICOLAS-JAY

It took more than 25 years for a chat about a joint winemaking venture to bear fruit, but the past five years have seen this project between a former US music mogul and a Burgundian winemaker become one of the big names of Oregon Pinot Noir. Matthew Luczy reports

ABRUZZO EXPLORED

Hard to pinpoint on a map it may be, but this central Italian region has long been a default choice for restaurant-goers thanks to its soft, easy-drinking reds, with its light whites a popular choice too. Susan Hulme MW reveals how Abruzzo’s forward-thinking producers are harnessing their native varieties to create character in the bottle

SEKT REBORN

Though initially a luxury product, German sparkling wine experienced a downturn in quality that marred its reputation for years. Now, a renewed focus on traditional winemaking techniques is revitalising the category, says Anne Krebiehl MW

ALAIN BRUMONT

His path to success has been far from smooth, but this Madiran-based producer has managed to surmount every obstacle he has encountered, making some of southwest France’s most lauded wines along the way. Stephen Brook meets a man defined by his persistence and tenacity

45 GREAT BUYS FOR BORDEAUX LOVERS

We asked Andy Howard MW to taste a wide selection of top red blends from around the globe, produced using differing combinations of the classic Bordeaux grape varieties. The standard was pleasingly high across every region, and Howard’s favourite wines, revealed in the following pages, represent particularly good quality and value in this popular category

RECYCLING

What you can and can’t recycle is a bit of a postcode lottery at the moment – you aren’t in control unless you’re prepared to take everything to recycling centres yourself (find out what’s recyclable in your area at recyclenow.com). While it can feel like recycling is a drop in the ocean and each of us can only make a tiny difference, everyone doing it together makes a much bigger impact. For example, every single drinks can that you recycle could save enough energy to power a TV for three hours, according to Which?. Or, try to cut your use of the packaging highlighted here.

Berlin

This German city has long been known for its arts and club scenes – but now its restaurants are the star attraction

Top 10 Places To Eat Inside Cheltenham

Whether you’re visiting for the Cheltenham Festival this month or any other time of year, there’s something for everyone in this food-focused city, from modern delis to cosy cafés, pubs and fine-dining options

Why Our Food Choices Have Become Boring

Variety is more than the spice of life – it’s essential

TRANSFORMING TEMPRANILLO

Over-zealous planting and heavy-handed use of oak haven’t done its reputation any favours, but Spain’s most widespread variety can make excellent wines. Sarah Jane Evans MW highlights the regions and producers helping Tempranillo reach its full potential

RIOJA ORIENTAL

More than just an administration tweak, the changing of this subregion's name from Rioja Baja to Rioja Oriental holds far deeper significance for its native wine producers. As the region undergoes a winemaking transformation, Simon Field MW explains how a new generation is reclaiming the higher ground – in every sense of the phrase

RICARD ROFES

Located by the site of a 900-year-old former monastery, Cellers de Scala Dei is a winery immersed in the robust history of Priorat. Sarah Jane Evans MW meets the winemaker who is eloquently telling the region’s story – and paving the way for its future – through its wines

EXPRESSIONS OF NORTHWEST SPAIN

The reds from this area are incredibly varied, but not always well known – despite the high price of the most famous. Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW picks 20 from across the spectrum

ALVARINHO VS ALBARINO

Championed by winemakers in both Spain and Portugal, this white grape is becoming known for the diverse, high-quality wines it can produce. Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW explores a variety on the rise

Around Spain In 10 Garnachas

Happy in Spain’s often testing rural terrain, this once unfavoured red variety is enjoying a surge in popularity among growers and critics alike, as regional authenticity finds increasing favor. David Williams selects his 10 top producers and their wines of the moment

Spoonful Of Sugar

Pastry chef Molly Wilkinson has a passion for French pâtisserie and a flair for decoration that took her from Dallas, Texas to Île-de-France, Brigitte Nicolas learns

The grind

SEASONAL COFFEE

Tea with purpose

Michelle and Rob Comins explain how tea can be a force for good

Ten years on

We celebrate the London Coffee Festival’s first decade with a look at its successes

Chocolate and espresso pavlova with fennel roasted grapes

This year I’m giving coffee centre stage on the Christmas dessert table. I firmly believe coffee shouldn’t just be an afterthought to accompany dessert, it should be the dessert – but aside from that, it just makes sense.

Bitter Barista

Latte art competitions have been milking it for too long – they used to be fun, but now their focus on the wrong things is harming barista skills, says our cantankerous columnist

What The F**k...Is Honey Processing?

Apart from natural and washed coffees sits a whole other category, as Sierra Wen Xin Yeo explains

The Future Of Decaf?

A US company claims its pouch extracts caffeine without harming flavour

Introducing Extremadura

Spain’s fourth-largest wine-producing region has much to boast about, yet it remains relatively unknown. Now, finding its own style and making the most of its little-known DO, Extremadura is starting to make its mark internationally, as David Williams discovers

Lafite In China

It has been a decade in the making, but earlier this year the Château Lafite Rothschild owner opened its first winery in China, cementing the country’s position as a wine-producing force to be reckoned with. Jane Anson reports from the long-awaited launch

How To Host Christmas

The festive season offers plenty of occasions for wine lovers to enjoy their favourite bottles. But what should you serve when? Fiona Beckett offers practical tips for perfect wine service at home

Louis Barruol

One of the Rhône Valley’s most celebrated winemakers, the Château de Saint Cosme owner has elevated his long-established family winery – and the Gigondas appellation itself – to a new level of prominence in the greater Rhône region, and one of his latest projects sees him striving to do the same in Vinsobres, as Matt Walls discovers

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte

The past three decades have seen the fortunes of this historic estate renewed, becoming a pioneer in both environmental initiatives and wine tourism thanks to the collective imagination and dedication of one family. Jane Anson pays a visit