El Hombre Bala – Garnacha with Altitude and Attitude. Spanish precision from the Sierra de Gredos. Some wine dinners offer exactly what you expect – comfort, familiarity, a well-matched glass with every course. Others go a step further: they surprise, challenge, and leave a lasting impression. Reporting for Dutch Wine Apprentice, Onno Deumer attended a […]

A masterclass in Amsterdam with Domaine Marcel Deiss revealed why Alsace field blends remain vital for true terroir expression, challenging the dominance of single-varietal winemaking. By showcasing biodynamic complantation and vineyard-driven identity, the tasting demonstrated how field blends deliver complexity, balance, and a direct translation of place in the glass.

At an exclusive tasting at De Vughtse Wijnkoperij, Bodegas Salentein showcased its Luxury Collection under the guidance of head winemaker Jorge Cabeza, revealing how altitude, terroir, and precision define the new face of Argentine fine wine. This event highlighted Salentein’s evolution from a visionary Dutch-Argentine project into a benchmark producer shaping the identity of the Uco Valley and Argentina’s premium wine future.

Fontanafredda, the historic Barolo estate founded by Italy’s first king, continues to shape Serralunga d’Alba with a balance of heritage, scale, and innovation. Under CEO Roberto Bruno and winemaker Giorgio Lavagna, this “icon with a pulse” blends royal legacy with modern sustainability, reaffirming its role as a cornerstone of contemporary Barolo.

Serralunga d’Alba, One Village, Four Archetypes explores how four leading winemakers—Domenico Clerico, Palladino, Ferdinando Principiano, and Ettore Germano—shape the identity of Barolo through distinct philosophies and terroir-driven Nebbiolo. This winery review reveals Serralunga’s power, structure, and longevity alongside remarkable stylistic diversity, offering an essential guide for Barolo lovers.

Barolo 2022 from Serralunga d’Alba defied expectations, revealing a vintage of precision over power despite heat and drought. Through a blind tasting at Serralunga Day 2025, producers and Masters of Wine uncovered a nuanced expression of terroir — structured yet balanced, proving that adaptation and collective vision now define Barolo’s future.