The Club O Collection is home to reviews of the very finest wines and spirits, sampled by specialist critics in premium tastings, exclusively for Club Oenologique.
Scotch whisky has always told stories through flavour. But from a recent comprehensive tasting for The Scotch Whisky Report 2024, Kristiane Sherry found that these narratives have become much more subtle. No longer are the likes of cask and peat influence shouting loudly; there’s now a more nuanced tale cutting through the noise. The result is something quietly spectacular
It was a vintage that received unanimous praise from merchants and journalists during en primeur tastings but how is the Bordeaux 2022 vintage taking shape now in bottle? John Stimpfig makes an evaluation and recommends half a dozen top bottles to seek out
So, you think you know Cognac? Richard Woodard speaks to its foremost innovators to find out how times are changing for the spirit – propelled by a particular focus on provenance
While the dishes of El Bulli are well documented, the wines from the groundbreaking restaurant warrant just as much interest. The El Bulli Foundation’s Ferran Centelles – the restaurant’s former sommelier – sheds some light on the wine list and its star offerings
This year, California’s J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines celebrates its 50th anniversary – with its plantings in Paso Robles one of the significant milestones for the family producer back in 1984. Tom Capo pays a visit to Home Ranch in the Estrella District to learn how this visionary move has more than paid off
Marking the halfway point in the Dalmore’s Luminary single malt series is an ambitious glass sculpture by architect Melodie Leung said to reflect the swirls in a tumbler and the vapour in a still. Kristiane Sherry was present for its artistic unveiling at the V&A Dundee
Single malt Scotch continues to break records, with an increasing array of super-aged expressions coming to market. But Joel Harrison explains why Irish whiskeys half their age might make an even more savvy investment
A revival of historic vermouth brands and a surge of newer producers sees the aromatised and fortified wine shine. Kate Hawkings pits classic European examples against some impressive UK upstarts
Essi Avellan MW returns to a stellar vintage, tasting through 50 rare bottlings of 2002 Champagnes to assess if these wines are packing the punch they once promised
As the rosé category continues to climb and increasingly complex, structured bottlings come to market, sommeliers are also proving the wine’s prowess when paired with food and beyond the summer months, says expert Elizabeth Gabay MW