Wendy Narby

1 month ago | decanter.com | Wendy Narby

A tropical island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is a winter sun destination. The (inactive) volcanic island, ringed by palm lined, white-sand beaches and lagoons, is protected by coral reefs, perfect for divers. The mountainous interior, meanwhile, is home to sub-tropical forests and several waterfalls. Here ecotourism is on the rise and the more adventurous can discover some of the island’s endemic wildlife.

1 month ago | decanter.com | Wendy Narby |Amy Wislocki

I’m used to tasting at merchant or regional tastings, where a diverse range of grapes and styles are showcased. These tastings are expensive to stage, and it makes sense to curate the best line-up possible. In panel tastings, by contrast, any producer or retailer can enter a wine, as long as it meets the criteria. In the Vermentino tasting, many of the scores were in the mid-80s and the best wines stood out clearly from the pack.