Decanter

Published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd The world’s best wine magazine. It is simply the “wine bible”. Every month it provides recommendations on the world’s finest wines and tells you where you can find them. From top Bordeaux to the best value wine on the shelf, Decanter guides you through a maze of wine to help you find the right wine for you. It also offers interviews with leading wine personalities, in-depth guides to the wine regions and the latest wine news.

The art of wine

Month in wine • All the important issues affecting you across the globe, compiled by Laura Seal

In brief • Stay up to date with the latest wine news on Decanter.com, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter @Decanter

Your letters • Enraged or inspired by what you’ve read? Email editor@decanter.com, or write to: The Editor, Decanter, 1st Floor, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP, UK

Hungry for Hungary

WIN a magnum of Champagne Bollinger

Andrew Jefford • ‘The existing carbon footprint of wine is unsustainable’

WHAT I’VE BEEN DRINKING THIS MONTH • Bouza, B6 Tannat, Canelones 2016

Elin McCoy • ‘Many heirs don’t hesitate to sell off wineries founded by their parents’

WHAT I’VE BEEN DRINKING THIS MONTH • Egon Müller, Scharzhofberger TBA, Mosel, Germany 2011

Caroline Henry • ‘In many ways, the zero-herbicides movement is Champagne’s Brexit’

WHAT I’VE BEEN DRINKING THIS MONTH • Fleury, 30 Ans de Biodynamie, Champagne NV

WINES OF THE YEAR 2019 • We asked our experts from around the world, and the Decanter team, to nominate the classic, offbeat and value wines that impressed them most in 2019, and called the wines in to taste. Here we present the top scorers from the 117-wine line-up. Tina Gellie reports

CHATEAU SMITH HAUT LAFITTE • The past three decades have seen the fortunes of this historic estate renewed, becoming a pioneer in both environmental initiatives and wine tourism thanks to the collective imagination and dedication of one family. Jane Anson pays a visit

CHATEAU SMITH HAUT LAFITTE AT A GLANCE

Château Smith Haut Lafitte: a timeline

Anson’s Smith Haut Lafitte picks

TOP WASHINGTON BUYS • With 1,000 producers and near-ideal grape-growing conditions, the second-largest wine region in the US might just make the best wines you’ve never tasted. Tina Gellie reports

LAFITE IN CHINA • It has been a decade in the making, but earlier this year the Château Lafite Rothschild owner opened its first winery in China, cementing the country’s position as a wine-producing force to be reckoned with. Jane Anson reports from the long-awaited launch

DBR Lafite, Long Dai, Qui Shan Valley, Penglai, China 2017 93

LOUIS BARRUOL • One of the Rhône Valley’s most celebrated winemakers, the Château de Saint Cosme owner has elevated his long-established family winery – and the Gigondas appellation itself – to a new level of prominence in the greater Rhône region, and one of his latest projects sees him striving to do the same in Vinsobres, as Matt Walls discovers

Introducing Extremadura • Spain’s fourth-largest wine-producing region has much to boast about, yet it remains relatively unknown. Now, finding its own style and making the most of its little-known DO, Extremadura is starting to make its mark internationally, as David Williams discovers

Meet the producers • David Williams profiles nine wineries making great strides to help put the wines of Extremadura on the map

Extremadura: 21 top wines to try • Where you can find them in export markets, these wines represent fantastic value for money, says David Williams as he picks his top buys

TOP 10 NEW WORLD SWEET WINES • From established and well-loved botrytis Semillons to little-known ice wines, the New World nations offer a...