Côtes de Bourg
The Côtes de Bourg landscape – and wines – are full of character. Wine has been made here since Roman times, but a new elegant style and improved quality have transformed the area
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Barrique Bordelaise: Super coopers
Alongside Bordeaux's historical attractions, the region's barriques are monuments in their own right. JAMES LAWTHER MW charts the history – and future – of these cradles of wine
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St Emilion: True grit
The unique quality of St-Emilion wines depends to a large extent on the region's various soils. And there are a lot of them. JAMES LAWTHER MW gets his hands dirty
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Pape Clément: A Graves classic
Château Pape Clément is in a classic style, 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. JAMES LAWTHER MW visits an estate whose wines are better than ever
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Pape Clément: A Graves classic
Château Pape Clément is in a classic style, 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. JAMES LAWTHER MW visits an estate whose wines are better than ever
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Bordeaux 2002 - Right Bank Vintage Guide
This was not the easiest of years for Right Bank producers, writes James Lawther MW. A sullen summer, difficult flowering and pressure of rot made it all but a disaster rescued in extremis by September sunshine. The fact that a lean but firm, fruit
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Vacqueyras is The New Kid in Town
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Wendouree: Taking it Slowly
Should you visit Wendouree in South Australia's Clare Valley, don't be surprised if owner Tony Brady first offers you coffee rather than wine. It's not just that the wines are so rare, it's also a reflection of the outlook and convictions held at this historic estate. Time means little, and the philosophy is a million miles from clinical tastings and hard sell.
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Fronsac: the return
Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac are clawing back their former glory, with many wines that now compete with top-class St-Emilion. JAMES LAWTHER MW looks at the 2000 vintage
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The beauty of Clare
Riesling has enjoyed a second renaissance in the Clare Valley since the mid-1990s. Its much-loved intense, limey character is all down to the terroir, says JAMES LAWTHER MW
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St-Emilion wines that are affordable- Star Buys
Affordable and St-Emilion are not often put together. Yet it is possible to find good-value, high-quality wines if you know where to look, writes JAMES LAWTHER MW
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Château Ausone Pillar of society
Over the last 10 years Château Ausone has undergone major renovations and improvements. JAMES LAWTHER MW tastes the last decade's wines
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Best of the Lot Valley
Downstream from Cahors the River Lot meanders west towards the Garonne and eventually to the Atlantic. Tiny villages and imposing medieval châteaux line the river, while on the outside curve of each U-turn wooded slopes descend steeply to the water's edge. The Lot Valley is also home to the vineyards of Cahors, situated mainly on the undulating alluvial debris of the river's inner loops and to a lesser extent on the limestone plateau above the valley.
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1982- A year to remember
Growing conditions were good, yields were high and the results promised to be truly extraordinary. James Lawther MW rolls back the years and recounts initial reactions to the 1982 vintage.
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Beautiful South: St-Chinian
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Saint-Julien: Model of perection
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Lalande-de-Pomerol is One to Watch
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A year to remember - 1982
Growing conditions were good, yields were high and the results promised to be truly extraordinary. James Lawther MW rolls back the years and recounts initial reactions to the 1982 vintage.
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New blood in Bandol wine
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Shifting gear: St-Emilion
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The secrets of Victoria
Forget the big-name wines of the Barossa or Hunter Valley – JAMES LAWTHER MW believes that Australia's best Shiraz comes from the smaller estates in Victoria
