Wineanorak

WELCOME to an engaging and extensive online resource for wine enthusiasts. Whether you're just starting your journey into the world of wine or you're a seasoned expert, you'll find something here for everyone. Don't worry about the more technical information; our site is crafted to be accessible and enjoyable for both beginners and experienced wine lovers alike. Jamie Goode

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In Niagara: Catching up with Thomas Bachelder

1 month ago | wineanorak.com | Treve Ring

Thomas Bachelder is one of Canada’s beacon winemakers, championing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and in the last years Gamay, though a series of terroir-led releases. Goode and I have tasted and visited with Thomas numerous times over the years (Goode’s extensive backgrounder here), and I most recently sat with him and Mary in his Niagara Batcave in summer 2024. We tasted through his 27 (!) current wines over 4+ philosophically introspective hours, in the order detailed below.
Most Memorable Champagnes of 2024

Jan 6, 2025 | wineanorak.com | Treve Ring

Though Champagne sales have continued to slide worldwide, Goode and I have done our best to buoy the market this past year, drinking and tasting a few hundred bottles between us. Champagne shipments in the first half of 2024 totaled 106.7 million bottles, down 15.2% compared to the same period in 2023. As such, the Champagne Committee (CIVC) set the available yield for 2024 at 10,000 kg/ha, a lower level than for the previous harvest (11,400 kg/ha) to reflect the situation on the export markets.
Therianthropy Wines: a rising garagiste collective from Niagara, Ontario (updated October 2024)

Oct 24, 2024 | wineanorak.com | Treve Ring
Highlights: Two Cru from Domaine Benjamin Passot, Beaujolais, France

Jun 12, 2024 | wineanorak.com | Treve Ring

Benjamin Passot is Bourgogne by birth, with his professional experience acquired over several years on the Vosne Romanée terroirs. He created his Beaujolais domaine in 2017 in Juliénas, and today the estate owns more than 3.5 hectares of vines, growing to include the crus Moulin à vent, Morgon, Chiroubles, and Chénas. I came across a twinset of wines recently, and was quite impressed.
Highlights: Domaine Hélène Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Vieilles Vignes Extra Brut NV

Jun 2, 2024 | wineanorak.com | Treve Ring

Wine anorak is one of the leading wine websites. This is the latest version of the site that began life in 1999, and was founded by Jamie Goode, who at the time was working as a science editor. Since then it has grown, and Jamie is now a full-time wine writer, lecturer, wine judge and book author. This is an explanation of what an anorak is. Disclosure: unless otherwise clearly marked, the articles on this site are free of conflicts of interest.
Highlights: Thistle and Weed Chenin Blancs

May 12, 2024 | wineanorak.com | Treve Ring

Thistle and Weed is a collaboration between the Terblanche and Wiid families, established in 2015, and led by Etienne Terblanche (Viticulturist) and Stephanie Wiid (Winemaker). The name was inspired by the ever present weeds found amongst the vines grown in the Western Cape. Etienne and Steph draw parallels between thistles and weeds, and the uncompromising tenacity and survival of grapevines. Each wine is named (in Afrikaans), and labelled, by such an inspiring local botanical.
Highlights: Kelvin Feku Grenache Noir 2022, WO Wellington, South Africa

Apr 30, 2024 | wineanorak.com | Treve Ring

Wine anorak is one of the leading wine websites. This is the latest version of the site that began life in 1999, and was founded by Jamie Goode, who at the time was working as a science editor. Since then it has grown, and Jamie is now a full-time wine writer, lecturer, wine judge and book author. This is an explanation of what an anorak is. Disclosure: unless otherwise clearly marked, the articles on this site are free of conflicts of interest.
Highlights: Maçanita Vinhos Letra F Vinho de Mistura 2022, Douro Valley, Portugal

Feb 27, 2024 | wineanorak.com | Treve Ring

Letra F refers to the last letter in the grade for the categorization system for port grapes in the Douro, where Letra A is the best. Though the F grade were historically seen as the worst for Port wine, and thus neglected, these old vines are proving a treasure trove for showing wines of place today. Dedicated siblings António and Joana Maçanita seek these old, often abandoned vineyards out for this Letra series.
Highlights: Barbadillo Nave Trinidad Manzanilla en Rama, Spain

Jan 25, 2024 | wineanorak.com | Treve Ring

The Nave Trininad is one of the naves in the bodega El Toro, the first warehouse that Benigno Barbadillo bought when he started his company in 1821. This old school bodega is rectangular-ish in shape, with four independent sections around a central patio. Each of the naves has slightly different ageing conditions, and Trinidad is the one facing towards the sea, influenced by the fresh saline air. It was named Trinidad after one of the ships that were part of Magellan’s expedition around the world.
Most Memorable Champagnes of 2023

Jan 16, 2024 | wineanorak.com | Treve Ring

Though Champagne sales fell in 2023 (The Comité Champagne [CIVC] predicted sales of 314 million bottles vs 326 million sold in 2022), Goode and I certainly contributed our share, tasting/drinking a couple hundred bottles between us. Of course much of that was during judging, research, or study, but happily seems a disproportionate amount of our wine budgets is spent on champagne. While sales were down, the crop was way up in 2023.