2-for-1 Special: Give The Gift of Wine Spectator!

News & Opinions

Latest Headlines

A man tries to contain a fire in Santa Juana, Concepcion province, Chile, as wildfires blaze across the region, threatening towns and vineyards.

Wildfires Threaten Some of Chile's Oldest Vines

Dozens of fires burning in southern Chile raze farmland, threatening some of the nation's historic vineyards

Feb 3, 2023

Giuseppe Benanti, left, built a winery on Sicily's Mount Etna, grabbing the world's attention. He handed it off to his sons Antonio, center, and Salvino, in 2012.

Giuseppe Benanti, Who Helped Spark Mount Etna’s Wine Renaissance, Dies at 78

The founder of his family’s winery on the slopes of Sicily’s famed volcano believed in its vines’ potential

Feb 3, 2023

Donald Hess stands in the cellar of Bodega Colomè, the winery high in Argentina's Andes that he devoted himself to.

Winery Owner Donald Hess Dies at 86

The Swiss businessman and art collector built a wine corporation starting in Napa Valley before moving to the Andes to focus on Malbec

Feb 1, 2023

Senior editor James Molesworth reflects on his 20 years covering the Rhône Valley for <i>Wine Spectator</i>.

Journalist's Hat, Rhône Lover's Heart

Having completed his last official trip to the region, senior editor James Molesworth reflects on his affection for the Rhône

From the Feb 28, 2023, issue

Senior editor Kristen Bieler takes the reins as the new lead taster on the Rhône Valley.

Winter Whites in the Northern Rhône

Made in a fresher style, these full-bodied, mineral-rich white wines are as sublime as the region's reds

Kristen Bieler

From the Feb 28, 2023, issue

A vineyard in Sonoma was filled with water in early January. Most vines will be fine as long as they weren't submerged for too long.

Did the Pineapple Express End California’s Drought?

Weeks of winter storms replenished reservoirs, but winemakers say it's too soon to know what the growing season will bring

Aaron Romano

Jan 31, 2023

Wine Spectator senior editor and special projects director James Molesworth hosts <em>Straight Talk with Wine Spectator</em>.

‘Straight Talk’ Podcast Episode 5: The Rhône, Port and Our Wine Value of the Year

Tales from the road—from the Rhône, Portugal and Napa—including exclusive interviews with Côte-Rôtie star Philippe Guigal and Vintage Port titans Adrian Bridge and Rupert Symington. Plus, a visit with Dr. Vinny

Jan 30, 2023

MaMou pairs local fare with French Quarter flair and a wine list packed with big names in Bordeaux, Burgundy and Port, among others.

Turning Tables: MaMou Opens in New Orleans with Charlie Trotter’s Alum Heading the Wine Program

Plus, the Capital Grille arrives in Kentucky with a February launch in Louisville

Jan 26, 2023

Bonterra Bets Big on Regenerative Farming with New Line of Eco-Friendly Wines

The Mendocino-based winery has adopted regenerative organic farming on its 850 acres of vines and hopes to show even larger wineries can go greener

Dana Nigro

Jan 25, 2023

Senior editor Bruce Sanderson takes a bird's-eye view of the Top 100 over the past 34 years.

The Top 100 Through Time

Few of the wines of the first Top 10 in 1988 have made the list in recent years, a result of scarcity and prohibitive prices

Bruce Sanderson

From the Dec 31, 2022, issue

Michael Martini worked for 40 years in the cellars of Louis M. Martini, a historic Napa winery that opened a year after Prohibition ended.

Michael Martini, Third-Generation Napa Winemaker, Dies at Age 73

A "larger-than-life" character, Martini was diagnosed with cancer three weeks before his death

Tim Fish

Jan 12, 2023

Workers evacuate Alisal Ranch & Resort in the Santa Ynez Valley near Solvang. The heavy rains also flooded parts of Santa Barbara on the other side of the mountains.

California Wine's Soggy Start to the New Year

Multiple heavy rainstorms are flooding areas, washing out roads and triggering mudslides, but vineyards appear unharmed so far

MaryAnn Worobiec

Jan 11, 2023

Little Saint will close temporarily so that the menus can be revamped and the first floor transformed into an all-day café and lounge.

Kyle and Katina Connaughton Depart Sonoma County’s Little Saint

Co-owners Laurie and Jeff Ubben take sole ownership of the Healdsburg restaurant; plus, the Cooper's Hawk winery and restaurant group opens its first location in Iowa.

Jan 11, 2023

At Danny Meyer's Marta in NoMad, guests can enjoy the rustic home cooking of Rome through special $30 lunch and $45 dinner menus.

New York City’s Restaurant Week Returns for Its ‘Winter Outing’

The dining event runs from January 17 until February 12, featuring 57 Wine Spectator Restaurant Award winners

Julia Larson

Jan 10, 2023

Among the notable happenings in 2022, Silverado Vineyards was sold to Foley Wine Group, Oregon winemaker Lynn Penner-Ash retired after more than 40 year, a tornado hit Châteauneuf-du-Pape and 2022 saw Wine Spectator Restaurant Award winners rebound.

Top 10 Wine News and Opinion Articles of 2022

Our most-read stories reflect a changing wine world as it reckons with an evolving market, as well as recurring challenges such as destructive weather and wine fraud

Collin Dreizen

Jan 9, 2023

Senior editor Mitch Frank says that some wineries are quietly carrying on the family model, despite the increasing dominance of large corporations in the wine world.

The Big Money, Small Business Balance

Economies of scale in Napa

Mitch Frank

From the Dec 15, 2022, issue

Wine Spectator Alert

Stay up-to-the-minute on important wine stories

Breaking News Alerts

Stay up-to-the-minute on important wine stories

WineRatings+

Restaurant Search

Wine Spectator Podcasts

Wine Spectator Podcasts

Get the App