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Spiravel Magazine
Tasting guides, domain portraits, wine advice and news
DomainsHow a 3-Hectare Winemaker Can Rival a Grand Château
The short answer: by doing exactly what a grand château cannot. A winemaker working 3 hectares knows every vine, every plot, every micro-variation in the soil. They harvest by hand when the fruit is perfect, not when logistics allow it. They vinify with surgical precision, lot by lot, with zero i…
DomainsThe secret estates that sommeliers jealously guard
Yes, sommeliers have their hidden gems. These are the estates they never mention in their public recommendations, which they don’t highlight on their wine lists, and which they jealously guard for their own cellars. It’s neither elitism nor snobbery — it’s a matter of instinct…
TipsHow do you choose a natural wine?
Natural wine is becoming increasingly popular among wine lovers. But how do you make sense of all the labels, certifications and production methods? Here is a practical guide.
TastingGuide to Bordeaux grape varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc… Bordeaux’s grape varieties are among the best known in the world. Discover their flavour profiles and the wines they produce.
PairingsWine and cheese pairings: the complete guide to getting it right every time
Wine and cheese: a pairing with a history stretching back thousands of years, yet one that can be a little tricky. Here are the pairings that really work, explained in plain language.
Pairings5 Classic Food-Wine Pairings Everyone Gets Wrong — And How to Fix Them
No, fish doesn't automatically call for white wine. No, cheese doesn't need a tannic red. And no, your foie gras doesn't deserve that ice-cold Sauternes. The food-wine pairings we think we've mastered are often the ones we butcher most spectacularly. We repeat them like mantras without ever quest…
Domains5 estates to visit in Burgundy
Burgundy is the birthplace of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Between the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune, here are 5 not-to-be-missed estates to discover on your next trip.
DomainsBiodynamics: What Certifications Won't Tell You About Your Favourite Estates
A Demeter or Biodyvin logo on a label puts your mind at ease? Fair enough. But reducing biodynamics to a stamp on a bottle means missing the point entirely. The reality on the ground is infinitely more nuanced — and often more fascinating — than any standardised set of specifications can capture.…
TipsUnderstanding organic, biodynamic and natural labels
Organic farming, biodynamic farming, natural wine... These three approaches are often confused. Here are the essential differences to help you find your way around.
TastingThe winegrower's glossary: 40 essential terms for understanding the world of wine
Terroir, ageing, maceration, vintage... These words are used again and again in tasting notes and on labels. But what do they really mean? Discover the 40 essential terms in wine vocabulary to talk wine like an expert.
TipsBuying wine direct from the producer: 7 reasons to cut out the middleman
Fair prices, total traceability, unique discoveries... Find out why buying your wine direct from the winemaker changes everything, for you and for the winemaker.
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