Champagne Changes Its Alcohol Ceiling After Its Earliest Harvest
Champagne raised its 2026 alcohol ceiling from 13% to 15% after its earliest harvest on record. Few wines are expected above 13%, but the change shows how exceptional ripeness is testing the rules behind the region's style.
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Field Notes
At Damascene, One Cellar Holds Many South Africas
At Damascene in Elgin, Jean Smit uses gentle cellar methods to preserve the differences among Franschhoek Sémillon, Stellenbosch Cabernet Franc, regional Syrah and Moya Meaker Riesling across South Africa’s Western Cape.
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Joseph Drouhin Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières 2022
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SAKE The Essential Guide
A complete introduction to sake, connecting rice, kōji, yeast, fermentation, classifications and service to explain how Japanese brewers transform a neutral grain into one of the world’s most technically complex beverages.