James Suckling recently interviewed Marc de Grazia of Tenuta Terre Nere (an estate in Eastern Sicily which produces some of our most popular Italian imports). In a video posted on Jamessuckling.com, the critic and de Grazia discuss the elegant and complex wines of Mount Etna, as well as the region’s diverse terroir. Watch the video [...]

South African producers scooped 14 out of 156 regional trophies at this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards, as well as 27 out of 229 gold medals. The event, which is now in its tenth year, is the largest global wine competition and was judged by more than 200 panelists from 27 countries. Full competition results [...]

As a taste of his forthcoming South Africa report, Tim Atkin MW has published a classification of the Cape’s producers. Using the tiers of the Bordeaux 1855 classification, he has ranked the country’s top names in importance from First Growths to Fifth Growths. He has also included a sixth category for SA’s answer to the [...]

Wine Spectator recently asked renowned producer Michel Chapoutier for his thoughts on the Roussillon region – an undervalued appellation in Southern France that is producing rich, concentrated reds at affordable prices. According to Chapoutier, Roussillon may well be the next great region for red wines as it has ‘some of the best soil in France and [...]

In this week’s episode, Pia recommends Bryan McRobert’s Tobias 2012. At just R90 per bottle, this fresh, opulent wine from the Swartland is the perfect anytime red. To order, email Pia@winecellar.co.za.

According to VinPro, the 2013 grape crop is the largest on record and is expected to exceed that of 2012 by 5%. Harvests across the Cape winelands are bigger than usual (with the exception of Robertson) and a number of wine districts are likely to bring in their largest crop to date. In terms of [...]

Wine Advocate contributor Neal Martin has published a definitive and entertaining guide to Pomerol – a major Bordeaux commune whose understated and, at times, shabby estates form a counterpoint to the grand châteaux of neighbouring appellations. Having risen to prominence as recently as the 20th century, the region is home to superstars such as Petrus [...]

Decanter has selected 12 leading white blends from SA that ‘rival the best from Bordeaux, the Rhone and beyond’. Alheit Vineyards Cartology 2011 is among their top picks (having been awarded 19/20), along with Mullineux White 2011 (18.5/20), Lammershoek Roulette Blanc 2010 (18/20) and Adi Badenhorst’s Funky White NV (17.5/20). Visit Decanter.com for the full list of wines. As [...]

Robert Parker has added three new critics to his editorial team at The Wine Advocate. Following the departure of Antonio Galloni earlier this year, Monica Larner, the former editor of Wine Enthusiast, will cover Italy, whilst Jeb Dunnock of the Rhône Report will take over the Rhône beat. Luis Gutiérrez, Spanish correspondent for Jancisrobinson.com, will review the [...]

After weeks of waiting and speculation, Robert Parker’s Bordeaux 2012 scores have finally been unveiled. The critic affirms that 2012 is not a great vintage, but ‘it is an excellent one in Pomerol, Pessac-Leognan and for some St Emilions.’ His top-scoring wines of the vintage are shown below. Once again, Parker stresses the importance of [...]