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Cirò vineyard in Calabria with hillside vines overlooking the Ionian Sea, showcasing Mediterranean terroir and traditional Calabrian wine landscapes.
Vineyards of Cirò © Giusy Andreacchio

The Wines of Cirò: What Makes Calabria’s First DOCG so Special?

Compared to more famous Italian wine regions, such as Toscana and Piemonte, Calabria is relatively overlooked on the international stage. But in 2025, it received some much-deserved recognition: Cirò Classico was finally promoted to Calabria’s first DOCG. There are several factors that make this...
A Calabrian vineyard with terraced rows of Gaglioppo and Magliocco vines set along rocky hillsides near the Ionian coast, showcasing the region’s warm Mediterranean climate.
Calabria Vineyard

Calabria’s Revival: Ancient Roots, Modern Ambition

Calabria, the rugged southern tip of Italy’s boot, is a region where ancient history and modern revival intertwine in compelling ways. Though long overshadowed by more famous Italian wine regions, Calabria possesses one of the most storied viticultural lineages on the peninsula. Over millennia,...
Sunlit Provence vineyard with rolling hills and sea views, capturing the region’s Mediterranean character.
Clémence Louise Biau, courtesy of the CIVP

My Six Desert Island Provence Wines

To wrap up November’s regional spotlight, Matt Walls picks his six ‘desert island’ Provence wines. Let’s play a game. You’re a castaway on one of the rocky islands off the Côte d’Azur in southern France, the Mediterranean lapping at the shore. With the hot and sunny climate, you’ll soon have a...
Chapel of the Madonna overlooking vineyards in Fleurie, Beaujolais
Chapel of the Madonna overlooking vineyards in Fleurie, Beaujolais

Premiers Crus in Beaujolais: Cure or Curse?

On the surface, promoting Beaujolais’s best vineyards to premiers crus might appear entirely beneficial for the region. But the situation is more complex than it looks, says Beaujolais expert Natasha Hughes MW.
Sunlit patchwork of Beaujolais vineyard slopes and villages, showing rolling hills that define the crus’ granite-rich terroir
© Beaujolais Wines/Etienne Ramousse

The 10 Crus of Beaujolais: What Do They Share? How Do They Differ?

Over the past 20 years, the restoration of Beaujolais has been one of the great success stories in French wine. For decades it was best known for simple Beaujolais Nouveau, rushed out for consumption on the third Thursday of November every year, but the hullaballoo around this marketing stunt is...
Landscape of Bierzo, Castilla y León © ICEX/Juan Manuel Sanz

Castilla y Léon: Three DOs to Know

If there’s one thing that Spanish winemakers are brilliant at, it’s identifying a region that has been ignored, forgotten or underestimated–then fulfilling its potential. Obvious examples would be Ribera del Duero, Priorat or more recently the Sierra de Gredos.
Green vineyard in Castilla y León wine region, Spain
DO Bierzo

Beyond Tempranillo: The Hidden Grapes of Castilla y León

Castilla y León is one of Spain’s most significant regions and the cradle of the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabel. It boasts more than 60 of Spain’s heritage sites including over 500 castles, 12 cathedrals and eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is also home to Vega Sicilia, one of the...
Fontebosco Vineyard in Milo’s Contrada Volpare, Mount Etna
Maugeri’s Fontebosco Vineyard in Milo’s Contrada Volpare

From Afterthought to Icon: Carricante's Sicilian Triumph

How a volcanic terroir and an ancient grape are set to rival the world's finest white wines
Vineyard landscape in Sicily, Consorzio DOC Sicilia
Sicilian vineyards. Consorzio DOC Sicilia.

Ten Sicilian Grape Varieties Everyone Must Know

Sicily is the largest and most populous island in the Mediterranean, and, although part of Italy, it has a strong history and culture all of its own.
Vineyard landscape in Marsala, Sicily’s fortified wine region

Marsala Wine 101: Why This Sicilian Fortified Wine Deserves Your Attention

Vineyard landscape in Marsala Marsala, the fortified wine hailing from the sun-soaked hills of Sicily. A wine that embodies the rich tapestry of history and culture of an Island just a stone’s throw from mainland Italy. Having recently returned from visiting the region here is a brief introduction...
Olivier Humbrecht MW portrait at Domaine Zind-Humbrecht
Olivier Humbrecht MW. Leif Carlsson

In conversation with Olivier Humbrecht MW of Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Olivier Humbrecht MW is one of the most influential winemakers of Alsace. Matt Walls speaks to him about his journey so far, taking in changing styles, biodynamics and the future of the region.
Panoramic vineyards of Alsace with Vosges mountains in the background
Vineyards of Alsace. Matt Walls

5 Iconic Alsace Rieslings Every Wine Lover Should Know

Why Alsace Riesling Is a Collector’s Favorite — and Still Under the Radar
Château at sunset in Pécharmant wine region
A château at sunset, Pécharmant.

Shades of Blue: The Charming Hills of Pécharmant

“You always remember Pécharmant,” observes Benoit Borderie of Château Poulvère. “Once you've tried it, you seek it out.” This niche French wine is not quite famous, not entirely secret, but what the French call "confidential."
Place de la Liberté in Arbois, Jura wine region
Place de la Liberté, Arbois

The Many Paths of Jura: A Travel Guide

There are as many ways to explore a place as there are explorers. Far be it from us to turn this article into a definitive list of must-do activities, but rather to share one of the (oh so many!) possible paths to discovering the diverse, rich and varied region of Jura.
Glass of ruby sparkling Bugey-Cerdon wine held against a vineyard backdrop in eastern France, showcasing méthode ancestrale style.
Bugey-style red sparkling wine with a vineyard view. Christopher Howard

Hidden in Plain Sight: Exploring the Ruby Sparklers and Mountain Wines of Bugey 

Despite being almost exactly between Jura, Savoie, Burgundy and Beaujolais, Bugey remains one of France's most overlooked appellations. Yet this small region, situated in the southern foothills of the Jura mountains offers a compelling range of underrated wines. As we expand our vinous horizons...
Consorzio di Tutela Vini Sicilia DOC 
Scenic view from a vineyard in Sicily. Consorzio di Tutela Vini Sicilia DOC 

Sicily’s Most Important Denomination 

Not all geographical indications (GIs) are created equal. Small ones are often associated with higher-quality wines, while broader, region-wide designations are generally reserved for more regular bottlings. Take Veneto, for instance. Names like Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Soave Classico,...
Snow-dusted vineyards of Domaine Saint Germain in Savoie, French Alps, reflecting the alpine terroir of the wine region
Winter in Domaine Saint Germain. Laurent Fabry

The Heights of Wine: Discovering Savoie’s Alpine Offerings

Despite its location in the French Alps, Savoie has long been overshadowed by its more famous neighbors. Yet with its distinct grape varieties, alpine terroir and rich viticultural heritage, this niche French region—bordering Switzerland and Italy—offers a taste of all that makes wine captivating.
Panoramic aerial view of Lisbon with Sanctuary of Christ the King overlooking the Tagus River
Aerial view of Sanctuary of Christ the King, Lisbon

Lisbon for Wine Lovers: A Cultural Escape with the Best of Tejo Wines

Lisbon, founded over 3,000 years ago, is one of Europe’s oldest capitals and a historic hub of discovery—from the Age of Exploration to its modern appeal as a haven for digital nomads. Timeless yet vibrant, the city blends old-world charm with a modern edge. Its culture and gastronomy are...
An old wine Cellar

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Bordeaux

Bordeaux, the capital of France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, is synonymous with world-class wine, stunning architecture, and a rich cultural heritage. While many know it as the home of some of the most prestigious vineyards in the world, there’s much more to this historic city and its surrounding...
Harvest Time in Galicia

10 Names to Know in Galician Wine

Galicia is one of Spain’s most exciting wine regions and wine lovers are spoiled with all the options available to them. Located in Spain’s Atlantic Northwest, Galician wines are known for their freshness, with lots of crisp acidity and citrus flavors in the white wines and crunchy red fruit and...