French billionaire Olivier Goudet has expanded his influence in the global wine industry with the acquisition of Wine-Searcher, one of the world’s leading wine price comparison and data platforms. The acquisition was completed on 11 May 2026 through his US investment arm, GLX U.S. Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Platin Sàrl, the Goudet family’s […]
Chateau Beychevelle Managing Director & Chief Winemaker Philippe Blanc Philippe Blanc is a self-effacing person. He has firm beliefs in what sort of wine he wants to make but is not knee-jerk dismissive of other approaches by other winemakers. Would the Managing Director & Chief Winemaker of Chateau Beychevelle care to name five vintages he […]
The birthplace of Japanese viticulture is Yamanashi on the main island of Honshu. Lying about 125 kilometres west of Tokyo, the prefecture is also famous for its picture-perfect Koshu table grapes, plums, and peaches and, in the right places, shutter-stopping views of Mount Fuji. It is believed that Koshu, the grape, originates from China. Between 630 and 838, […]
Boschendal is one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa, located between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. This iconic wine farm is nestled in one of the most picturesque valleys in the Cape Winelands. Founded in 1685, Boschendal’s land was first granted to the French Huguenot Jean le Long by Simon van der […]
Club Bâtard, the Hong Kong-born private members’ club renowned for its access to gourmets, curated events, and exceptional wine selection at retail prices, has announced its first expansion beyond the city with a new clubhouse at Cha House in Jing’an, Shanghai. Membership applications are open, with the club scheduled to open later this year. Club […]
After eight years of serving hearty meals and warm memories, Famous Treasure has announced that its final day of operation will be 31 July 2026. The decision, described by management as difficult, comes upon the conclusion of the restaurant’s current lease. Since opening its doors in July 2018, the restaurant has grown into more than […]
On Sunday 14 June 2026, Paris will host the second edition of the Paris Tea Festival at Maison Internationale at the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris (17 Boulevard Jourdan, 75014 Paris), turning the city into a true paradise for tea lovers. Founded by Tea Sommelier María Kockmann, this event gathers tea houses, producers, ceramicists, and artisans from all over the world, offering […]
Eric Boissenot is the “Grape Descendant” of Bordeaux’s most illustrious legacy of wine consultants. It began with Emile Peynaud (1912-2004), aided by his student Jacques Boissenot (1938-2014). When the good professor retired, Boissenot set up his own laboratory and their clients followed him. Jacques Boissenot (a black belt judoka) chose his son Eric – who […]
Marselan was born in 1961 when grape scientist Paul Truel (1924-2014) successfully crossed Cabernet Sauvignon with Grenache in the south of France. In spite of its dual parentage, Marselan exhibits more the DNA of Grenache rather than Cabernet (like some children who resemble more of one, rather than a combination of both, parents). A tell-tale […]
The Yanjing region – including Zuogong, Basu and Zayu – has nurtured grapevines since the Tubo period (618–842 AD), when local wines were prized as tribute. By the mid‑19th century, French missionaries brought their own varieties and techniques, merging with indigenous practices to create a unique winemaking heritage. In 2009, Tibetan LUOSONG Ciren established Tibet […]
