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Each week we publish stories about the best wines and spirits, our experts, upcoming events, and beverage industry news. And, don't miss our new IWSC Insights series, where we take an in-depth look into drinks businesses and markets around the world. Looking for recommendations? Visit our consumer website Club Oenologique to read our top 10s and reviews.
Wine news
Top Californian red wines
When it comes to California, UK wine lovers are well catered for at the very top and bottom ends of the market. But what about in between? Here are some of the best Californian red wines you’ll find, from £20-£80
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Spirit news
The history of absinthe and five examples to try
Since the 1990s, bartenders have started to tap into absinthe's daring image and show off the drink’s punchy notes of anise, pepper and herbs in new cocktail recipes. Here are five top examples to try
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IWSC news
Brunello di Montalcino trophy winner: Tenute Piccini 2015
Tenute Piccini has been making wine in Tuscany since 1882, and is the recipient of an IWSC Trophy this year for its Brunello di Montalcino 2015
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Wine news
Barolo trophy winner: Gemma Colarej Barolo 2016
We caught up with the president of Gemma Cantine, Luigi Piacentini, to discover the secrets of Barolo and what makes this award-winning producer’s wines so sought-after by wine lovers
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Wine news
Madeira trophy winner: D'Oliveiras Boal 1980
D'Oliveiras is one of the most historic and respected Madeira producers, and the winner of an IWSC 2020 trophy. We caught up with owner Luis D’Oliveiras to find out more about this incredibly long-lived fortified wine
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Wine news
Discover the top 10 wines from Japan
Japan’s natural humidity makes grape-growing a struggle, which explains why the Koshu grape – a humidity-tolerant white grape – flourishes here. Learn more about Japan's best wines
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Wine news
Sherry trophy winner 2020: Bodegas Williams & Humbert
We speak to Bodegas Williams & Humbert oenologist Paola Medina Sheldon to get the inside track on their magical trophy-winning sherry, and their approach to winemaking
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Spirit news
Shochu: what is it and which bottles should you try?
Asian spirits have a knack of being beautifully crafted liquids with a beguiling texture – and Shochu is no exception. Explore our pick of the best Shochus from the IWSC’s latest spirits tasting
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Spirit news
Top 20 single malt whiskies from around the world
The past decade or so has been kind to the whisky drinker. Up until then, their choice of dram was generally limited to Scotland, Ireland and the USA – and little else. But now the options are vast – whisky is made all around the world, and the results are giving the traditional producers something to think about.
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Wine news
Red Wine Producer of the Year 2020: Wolf Blass Wines
From modest beginnings, making wine ‘in a humble tin shed’, according to Wolf Blass chief winemaker Chris Hatcher, the company has become one of the world’s most successful wineries – and is now the recipient of the 2020 IWSC Red Wine Producer Trophy
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