Buyer’s Spotlight: New perspectives on Rioja

Jason Millar gets a new take on how the region can balance out its affordable offerings with more premium expressions.

Is soil over-hyped? Debunking myths with Ventisquero and Tim Atkin

‘Can you taste Chilean terroir?’ – or indeed any terroir? That was the question posed by Tim Atkin MW at a Ventisquero-led masterclass which put Chilean wines side by side with other entries from the Old and New Worlds.

Headline Heroes: Rioja and a return to roots

Despite the still-popular image among consumers of Rioja as a ready-to-drink offer of easygoing charm, born of multi-regional blending and generous American oak, evolution in the region and its style is by no means a new-fangled thing. Finca Allende (the name means ‘further’) was arguably the most powerful precursor of the modern face of Rioja, bringing in single vineyard focus on terroir, coupled with the likes of new French oak and 100% Tempranillo in its top cuvée, as far back as the tail end of the last century. 

Tim Atkin MW: The Stones can keep rolling, but winemakers are the rockstars with longevity

In an interview for 60 Minutes in 2004, the journalist Ed Bradley asked Bob Dylan if there was anything in his early work that surprised him. His Bobness looked pensive for a moment before quoting the beautiful opening lines of It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding). “I don’t know how I got to write those songs,” he said, “…they were almost magically written.” Did the muses still hum such poetry – the very stuff that earned Dylan the Nobel Prize for Literature – in his ear? Dylan shook his head. “You can’t do something for ever,” he replied. “I can do other things now, but I can’t do that.”

Tim Atkin MW: The problem with misplaced reverence and hallowed wines

It was a scary moment, at least in wine terms. There I was in the cellar at Domaine Leroy in Vosne-Romanée, tasting some of the most expensive reds on the planet. Meetings with Madame Bize are never relaxing. She combines hauteur with the ability to freeze a glass of Pinot Noir at 10 paces. People who have earned her displeasure are never granted access to her presence again.

Tim Atkin MW: Why AI matters

My friend Matt likes to confuse algorithms. “Every now and then, I type the first thing that comes into my head into Google, Facebook or Instagram,” he told me. “Emperor penguins, Everest, wrestling, Taylor Smith, cupcakes.” In a world where our digital footprint is used by everyone from advertisers to political parties, it’s a spirited attempt to put AI off the scent.

Tim Atkin MW releases his 2023 Chile Report

Tim Atkin MW, Harper's columnist and leading UK wine writer, has launched his 2023 Chile report.

Tim Atkin MW releases new Rioja report

Renowned critic and Harpers columnist Tim Atkin MW has launched the 2023 edition of his Rioja Report.

Tim Atkin MW returns to Ribera del Duero for second 'Special' report

Registrations open for Discover Rioja’s 100km of Diversity trade tasting in London

100km of Diversity offers the chance to connect with over forty producers, winemakers and importers, many of whom will be travelling to London from Rioja to share the unique stories behind their wines. Visitors will be able to try the latest Viñedo Singulares, the finest Espumoso de Rioja, barrel-aged whites, elegant rosados, classic Gran Reservas and everything in between. There will also be the chance to discover wines not yet available in the UK.  

Tim Atkin MW releases his 2022 Argentina Report

Leading UK wine writer and Master of Wine Tim Atkin has released his latest in-depth overview of the Argentinian wine scene. His annual report, now in its tenth edition and available through timatkin.com, is regarded as one of the most authoritative reviews of this major wine-producing nation.

Winners announced for Wines from Spain Awards

Chair Tim Atkin MW and a panel of 14 expert wine judges selected 100 winners and awarded 16 ‘Champion’ trophies at the Wines from Spain Awards after a full day of judging in London last week.

Ribera del Duero breaks score barrier

The fifth annual Ribera del Duero Top 100 Selection has confirmed the awesome potential of the region, with every wine featured scoring a remarkable 94 points or more for the first time ever.

Sud de France UK Top 100 Awards set for 2021 return

The ninth edition of the Sud de France Top 100 competition is set to proceed this year in media partnership with Harpers, after a pause in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Gerard Basset Travel Scholarship 2021 bursary open for applicants

The annual Gerard Basset Travel Scholarship 2021 bursary is now open to UK-based sommelier entrants.

Tim Atkin MW: A year that changed wine

‘Never A Dull Moment’ is the title of a wonderful book about what its author, David Hepworth, calls “rock’s golden year”. 1971 was indeed an annus mirabilis for music, witnessing the release of landmark albums by David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Pink Floyd, Marvin Gaye, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Yes, The Who and Rod Stewart. For Hepworth, 31 December 1970 marked the end of the Sixties – 12 months late, in one sense – and the start of something very different. It was a turning pint, a line in the sand.

Tim Atkin MW: Spare a thought for the wine tasters that get it right

TIM ATKIN MW

Tim Atkin MW: Sherry deserves applause

TIM ATKIN MW

Tim Atkin MW: Beyond the cellar door

The pencil was as sharp as a tack. The tasting sheets were beautifully designed, with just the right amount of information: geeky, yet precise, containing useful details about vineyards and vinification techniques, but no vapid tasting notes. The water bottle was freshly cooled, the glasses polished and well chosen, the wines at exactly the right temperature. Every tasting should be like this, I found myself thinking, settling into a comfortable chair.

Tim Atkin MW: Fanfare for a Chablis titan

TIM ATKIN MW: Wine critic, broadcaster, co-chair of the IWC