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Chianti Classico 2023 and 2024 – vintage reviews
Two notoriously difficult vintages, with very different outcomes. The image above, from Collezione Chianti Classico 2026 in Florence, is courtesy of the Consorzio of Chianti Classico. In February, at the...
Walter Speller
• 2 min read
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The pick of the new releases from Tuscany and all points south tasted by Walter recently. Above, Casavecchia grapes cultivated...
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The best new releases from Piemonte, the Veneto and other points north that have crossed Walter's desk in the last...
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A sparkling wine for pizza, parmesan, prosciutto, salami and gnocco fritto, and a whole lot more if you choose carefully...
Wines of the week
A wine worthy of gifting and holiday drinking, starting at $24.99 or £23.10 per half-bottle. It’s the season for gifts...
Tasting articles
An Umbrian region famed for red wines is rediscovering the possibilities of its local white grape. Image of Trebbiano Spoletino...
Tasting articles
A dramatic vintage. For notes on the 2020 Brunello di Montalcinos, also to be released this January, and background to...
Tasting articles
Blends have the advantage in this vintage, though Walter has uncovered the best of the single-vineyard and selezione wines, too...
Inside information
Wines of charm and drinkability from a challenging vintage. Come back tomorrow for Walter’s tasting notes. Above, the view from...
Tasting articles
Under market pressure, Umbria’s most important red-wine denomination is seeking to reinvent itself by making less tannic, more elegant wines...
Tasting articles
A very early preview of these two promising vintages at the Vinexus Anteprima tasting in London last month. Above, Cavallotto...
Tasting articles
Exploring the lesser-known corners of the wine world, naturally. Above, Patrick Sullivan, producer of an impressive range of Chardonnays in...
Tasting articles
A fascinating and revealing tasting organised in London recently of wines from a supposedly off vintage. See also The rewards...
Wines of the week
A white wine that’s got everything and more, from great flavour to good stories and B Corp credentials, starting at...
Tasting articles
Will the future of Nebbiolo be in the higher elevations of Piemonte and Lombardia? David Berry Green, shown above in...
Don't quote me
Can anyone beat this for name-dropping?
If last month’s diary was a little short on action, this month’s is action-packed...
Nick on restaurants
27 March 2026 Walter has had a couple of recent meals at his old favourite L’Osteria di Monteverde and reports...
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