Wine

Muscadine grapes don’t get much respect from the winemaking community. They’re often overlooked for winemaking outside of the southeastern United States, thanks to naturally low sugar levels, thick skins and musky flavors. But recent scientific study has proven muscadines could be something of a superfood for health-conscious consumers. Muscadine grapes are abundant in polyphenols at

In Hawaii’s deadliest disaster since at least 1960, a series of powerful and fatal wildfires have devastated parts of the island of Maui, killing at least 55 people and burning hundreds of buildings in the historic resort town of Lahaina. Thousands of residents have evacuated and damage assessment has just begun, but Wine Spectator has

The steak-house boom continues! Empire Steak House opened a third New York City location, on West 49th Street in Midtown Manhattan, on July 12. Known as Empire Steak House Times Square, the new Theater District restaurant joins two Best of Award of Excellence–winning sibling locations nearby, as well as Award of Excellence winner Chazz Palminteri

Philippe Pascal didn’t want to spend his retirement simply drinking great Burgundy–he wanted to make it. After decades as an executive at luxury giant LVMH, working as CEO at Moët Hennessy Group (the wine and spirits part of LVMH), then heading its watches division and serving as adviser to LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault, Pascal purchased

For decades, studies have linked light and moderate drinking to improved cardiovascular health. Modest amounts of alcohol have been found to increase HDL cholesterol (the “good” kind) and inhibit the formation of blood clots that can cause heart attack and stroke. But a recent study, published in June in the Journal of the American College

Spring Mountain Vineyard, a historic and sprawling estate covering hundreds of acres on its namesake mountain on the western side of Napa Valley, finally has a new owner. The MGG investment group, a hedge fund based in New York City, announced it acquired the distressed property after a bankruptcy proceeding. The purchase was made at public

When Baron Benjamin de Rothschild died of a heart attack at his home in Geneva, Switzerland, on Jan. 15, 2021, at age 57, he left behind a business empire in banking, sports and wine that was worth billions of dollars. He also left behind a wife and four adult daughters, and in the two years

The Ocean House Collection restaurant group has announced a new wine director, Matthew MacCartney, for its Rhode Island resorts. Ocean House is the force behind the Ocean House and the Weekapaug Inn, homes to Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence winners Coast and the Restaurant, respectively. (The group also owns Watch Hill Inn, not

Count Alexandre de Lur Saluces, who spent 36 years managing Château d’Yquem and was a global ambassador for the Sauternes icon, died July 24. He was 89. During his decades at the helm of Yquem, he guarded the property with a passionate commitment to maintaining the highest possible quality. De Lur Saluces’ legacy was built

European wine leaders continue to see potential in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Executives at Italian wine company Marchesi Frescobaldi announced today that they have signed an agreement to purchase Domaine Roy & Fils in Oregon’s Dundee Hills for an undisclosed price. The estate includes 40 acres of vineyards planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It’s the

A federal court has issued a ruling that could change how consumers in Ohio are able to buy wine. In Derek Block v. James Canepa, the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed an earlier decision from the Ohio District Court and is remanding the case back to that lower court for further deliberation.

Shortly after dawn on July 18, members of a New York-based joint FBI-NYPD major theft task force descended on Sherry-Lehmann, once the most renowned of Manhattan wine shops. The agents spent the day toting out materials from the shop and loading them into unmarked white vans parked along the shop’s Park Avenue curb. Asked to

How did you fall in love with wine? Was there a specific bottle, meal, trip or story around it that changed the way you think and feel about wine? How do you celebrate wine on a regular basis? With an everyday ritual, an annual tasting trip with friends, special moments with family? Do you have

Could a daily glass of wine help people stay healthy as they age? A team of scientists found that nutrients in wine and foods could help prevent the onset of frailty in adults over the age of 55. Their research suggests that adults who consume high levels of flavonols—antioxidants found commonly in wine, green tea,

We’re celebrating our annual Restaurant Awards in episode 11 of Wine Spectator‘s Straight Talk podcast, with an exclusive interview with chef Thomas Keller and Wine Spectator executive editor Jeffery Lindenmuth. Straight Talk host James Molesworth also welcomes senior editor for news Mitch Frank to catch us up on the latest dining trends. Later in the

Constellation Brands acquired luxury Napa Valley wine brand Domaine Curry from its founder for an undisclosed price, the company announced June 23. The boutique brand will join The Prisoner Wine Company’s house of brands, part of Constellation’s luxury-focused Aspira portfolio. At first glance, the deal might look surprising. Domaine Curry does not own any vineyards

Pappas Restaurants—owner of three Wine Spectator Grand Award winners in Texas—debuted its latest endeavor, Little’s Oyster Bar, in May in Houston’s trendy Montrose neighborhood. The new seafood spot takes inspiration from old Hollywood, with scintillating chandeliers, a bountiful raw bar, luxurious lobster platings, caviar service and a finely tuned wine list to match. For Robert

Vintner Michael Benedict, who co-founded and planted the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in what is now the Sta. Rita Hills appellation of Santa Barbara in the 1970s, passed away on July 3 from melanoma. Benedict was also a botanist, mathematician, conservationist and expert sailor. He was 83. Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is one of California’s

One of the top restaurants in the world for wine is changing owners. On June 29, executives at Hoffmann Family of Companies announced it is purchasing Wine Spectator Grand Award winner Bleu Provence, an iconic wine destination in Naples, Fla. owned by wife-and-husband-duo Lysielle and Jacques Cariot. The Bleu Provence deal will likely close by

The owners of Château Latour and Château Lafite Rothschild have made a deal over a Chablis winery. Artémis Domaines, the French wine company that includes Latour and is owned by the Pinault family, announced that it has agreed to sell top Chablis producer Domaine William Fèvre to Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite (DBR Lafite) for