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Old Vines: Solutions for the Future

WSG is proud be the first Educational Partner of The Old Vine Conference. Read more to find out how this dynamic non-profit organization is actively creating a global network of old-vine disciples while raising awareness through education.  The economic and social relevance of old vines is real, but the structure of the global wine industry stacks the odds against the regenerative commercial viability of old vines. The result is that healthy old vineyards of cultural resonance and unique qualitative potential are lost because they can’t be made to pay.  The Old Vine Conference is a non-profit organisation whose aim is to bring together a global network to create a new category for wine from heritage vineyards. The Old Vine Conference works to safeguard old vines of cultural and ecological value by connecting, educating and inspiring the global wine industry through conferences, research, partnerships, tastings and fieldtrips.

Pascaline Lepeltier: Sommelière Moderne

Pascaline Lepeltier is one of the world’s most respected and modern sommeliers and restaurateurs. Her list of accolades and professional achievements is endless. In 2018, she was the first woman ever to obtain the Meilleure Ouvrière de France in sommellerie (this is a very prestigious award that loosely translates to "best tradesperson of France") and the same year, she was named Best Sommelier of France. 2018 was action-packed for Pascaline as she also featured in popular wine-themed movie Somm 3. 

PODCAST: Christophe Tassan & Andrew Jefford on the Rhône

Christophe Tassan is interviewed by Decanter Magazine’s Andrew Jefford about the Rhône Valley and its wines. “I was born in the dining room, in hospitality,” Christophe tells us, which seems appropriate, as this interview took place in a San Francisco restaurant around the corner from The Battery, where he is currently the wine director.

PODCAST: Andrew Jefford on Burgundy’s “Terroir Dreamland”

Decanter’s Andrew Jefford talks with us about Burgundy’s “Terroir Dreamland” or the Côte d’Or.

PODCAST: Jane Anson & Andrew Jefford on Bordeaux

Mastering Bordeaux, a primer with Jane Anson and Andrew Jefford of Decanter Magazine.

PODCAST: Lisa Airey on "Change is on the horizon in the Rhone"

Wine Scholar Guild's Education Director Lisa Airey speaks to events in the past that have shaped some of the regions.

PODCAST: Pascaline Lepeltier MS on the Loire, MOF, Pet-Nats & so much more!

Master Sommelier Pascaline Lepeltier is the first and only woman awarded both the Meilleur Ouvrier de France in the sommelier category, and the best sommelier in France. In this episode of the Wine Scholar Guild podcast she talks about the honor of winning MOF competition, Pét-Nats, wine making, blind tasting, the Loire, and much more. She also gives us a preview of the new Loire Master-Level course launching in Fall 2019.

PODCAST: Pascaline Lepeltier MS's Loire with Andrew Jefford... really good schist!

Pascaline Lepeltier, MS, discusses the itinerary for the upcoming WSG Study Trip to her native Loire. In this podcast interview with Decanter's Andrew Jefford, Pascaline discusses the Loire’s best and brightest…all of which happen to be estate visits on the upcoming five-day journey she'll be leading students on in October. 

PODCAST: Peter Liem on Champagne Terroir - There's More to the Story

Peter Liem talks with us about the progressive movement in Champagne. As we’ll discover in this conversation, there’s more to the terroir story than the chalk soils and the weather.
Chapel of the Madonna overlooking vineyards in Fleurie, Beaujolais
Chapel of the Madonna overlooking vineyards in Fleurie, Beaujolais

Premiers Crus in Beaujolais: Cure or Curse?

On the surface, promoting Beaujolais’s best vineyards to premiers crus might appear entirely beneficial for the region. But the situation is more complex than it looks, says Beaujolais expert Natasha Hughes MW.

Robert Parker’s 100-point wines: Then and now

As part of a partnership between Wine Scholar Guild and Decanter, we are pleased to share with our readers this article pulled from Decanter Premium. Try Decanter Premium for 4 weeks for just $1! More information HERE Robert Parker says a 100-point wine should be ‘as exceptional as a particular wine can be: a perfect blend of power, richness, texture, depth, length, balance, freshness, and of course a reflection of its vintage and terroir or origin’. Here are Parker’s most memorable 100-point wines.

Sarah Graham-Beck reports live from our 2017 Bordeaux Wine Study Trip

Assisting trip instructor Gerard Basset MW, MS, our Tour Manager Sarah Beck-Graham reports daily on the learnings and encounters on our 2017 Bordeaux wine study trip taking place October 1st through 6th 2017. Sarah lives in Bordeaux and has 15 years of experience in the Bordeaux wine industry.  She has been manager of a top Right Bank chateau and worked for several top Bordeaux wine merchants. She now guides wine tours in the region and handles logistics for wine-related events.

Seven Things You Might Not Know About Rhône Wines

The Rhône is France’s second largest producer of AOC wines (after Bordeaux). Its viticultural history dates back to the Romans who sculpted its terraced topography and introduced the vine. It is in the Rhône where east  meets west. The granite and schist of the Massif Central (west) collide with the sedimentary soils of the Alps and its foothills (east)….So, how well do you know the Rhône?

Tasting Room: Authentic Bordeaux

Watch Here You can find this video in our community space here Summary What comes to your mind when you think about Bordeaux? Is it carefully manicured fairytale Chateaux of the left bank? The 1855 classification? The First Growths? These prestigious wines garner much of the attention, but only

Tasting Room: Red Grapes of the Jura

Where to Watch You can watch this tasting video in our community space here Summary Poulsard, Pinot Noir and Trousseau make up the trio responsible for the best red wines of the Jura. One of those is probably familiar to you, but the other two are firmly off the beaten track!

Tasting Terroir in Alsace Wines with Romain Iltis

Summary:  Alsace vineyards are one of the most renowned vineyard in the world, but difficult to define because of its geological complexity and numerous grape varieties. Through the grape variety, we will look at taste profiles that come from different soil types.  Presenter: Romain Iltis MOF Romain Iltis is a French sommelier from Alsace who has won multiple awards including Best Sommelier of France 2012, Master of Port 2008 and  "Meilleur Ouvrier de France", a
photo credit: Domaine Arretxea

Ten Fascinating Wines to Look Out for from South West France

What is France’s greatest undiscovered wine region? Where do you find the greatest value for money in French wine? Where would you look around France to find potential fine-wine quality at affordable wine prices? Three questions … and from me the same answer to each: South West France.
Sunlit patchwork of Beaujolais vineyard slopes and villages, showing rolling hills that define the crus’ granite-rich terroir
© Beaujolais Wines/Etienne Ramousse

The 10 Crus of Beaujolais: What Do They Share? How Do They Differ?

Over the past 20 years, the restoration of Beaujolais has been one of the great success stories in French wine. For decades it was best known for simple Beaujolais Nouveau, rushed out for consumption on the third Thursday of November every year, but the hullaballoo around this marketing stunt is now dissipating as the potential quality of its cru wines draws the spotlight.

The 2017 Vintage in France, a 'new normal' Andrew Jefford

Andrew Jefford, award-winning author and columnist for Decanter Magazine and World of Fine Wine, gives us his insight about the 2017 vintage in France.

The 2018 Vintage in France, by Andrew Jefford

Andrew Jefford, award-winning author and columnist in every issue of Decanter and World of Fine Wine, Co-Chair Decanter World Wine Awards; Vice-Chair Decanter Asia Wine Awards, gives us his insight about the 2018 vintage in France. As October 2018 got underway, wine-growing France let out an audible collective sigh of relief. After shortages due to repeated hail and frost traumas in recent years, 2018 marked a gratifying return to generosity for French wine growers.