Annually, wine enthusiasts and revellers from all corners of the world come together to celebrate two special days dedicated to the wine world’s blissfully, bubbly wonders: International Sparkling Day on October 21 and Global Champagne Day, commemorated on the 4th Friday of the month, which this year falls on October 27. There's something about the effervescent dance of bubbles in a glass of sparkling wine or champagne that instantly elevates any occasion. These delightful beverages have a unique way of encapsulating celebrations, romance, and the spirit of festivity. Every year,  Thursday Food  takes you on this engaging and informative journey through the effervescent world of sparkling wines and champagnes, exploring the history, the culture, and the reasons behind these delightful celebrations. The allure of sparkling wines, whether it be the fizzy Prosecco, the sumptuous Espumantes or the luxurious Champagne, lies in those magical bubbles that evoke a feeling of bliss onc...

  Winter is officially over in Argentina and, despite the frosty temperatures that still linger, spring is here, bringing with it the latest wine innovations to explore from South America! On September 21 each year, vinophiles on this side of the world say goodbye to the decadent reds, especially Malbec, that kept us warm for the winter season which began on June 21. Spring’s arrival calls for floral and flavourful white wines, like Torrontés, as well vivacious and refreshing rosé wines heralding a season filled with vibrance, warmth and colour. Argentine oenologists are constantly exploring new horizons for their wines and the emergence of orange wine is a testament to their prowess as tastemakers. Orange wine, which first appeared domestically around 2011, began as a niche trend, when vintners across the country exhaustively experimented with different varieties and different techniques in order to provide new gastronomic experiences. Orange wine, also known as amber wine, is mad...

The simple yet fragrant Beaujolais wine has traditionally been the first wine to go on sale following the harvest in France, and since 1985, the release day has been officially commemorated on the third Thursday of November as ‘Beaujolais Nouveau Day’. Dating as far back as Roman times, though gaining prominence during the Middle Ages, bistros throughout France  would hang a sign announcing: "Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé (the beaujolais is here)” at the end of the harvest. The current commemorative day is a tradition which started informally in the 1950s, before becoming official in 1985 when the French government decided to permit the release of the wine at 12:01am on the third Thursday In November. This particular date for ‘Beaujolais Nouveau Day’, which was celebrated on November 16, 2023, was chosen to ensure a consistent release date, allowing people around the world to celebrate simultaneously.  Beaujolais is a young red wine, produced from a purple-coloured  gr...

Earlier this week vinophiles across the world celebrated Cabernet Franc Day, on Monday December 4, 2023, which commemorates one of the most popular strains on the planet and one of those that has gained the most ground in Argentine viticulture. The country currently has 1,569 hectares of Cabernet Franc, which represents an increase of 150% of its surface area, compared to 2010 when the planted surface was just over 626 hectares. This growth over the last 13 years has made the Cabernet Franc the 10th red variety in total cultivated area and fourth in the ranking of red varieties that have seen increased cultivation for the same period, behind Malbec, Ancellotta and Aspirant Bouschet. Unsurprisingly, 80.6% of the planted vines of this grape variety are found in Mendoza province, with the remaining 19.4% being divided amongst other provinces like San Juan (8.2%), Salta (2.7%), Neuquén (1.9%) and the rest in 11 other provinces. Cabernet Franc is believed to have been established in Libourn...

  In the late 1990s, Benjamin de Rothschild and Laurent Dassault, in their quest to identify great terroir at the foot of the Andes Mountain Range, found an extraordinary location in Vista Flores, Uco Valley, Mendoza. Challenged with creating a vineyard from scratch and producing great wines in a region that was then still relatively new to wine, each partner bought 100 hectares which were then combined to create a vast, coherent property. Following construction work to provide electricity and irrigation, the first vines were planted gradually from 1999 then, a cellar was built in 2003 after which the winery launched with its first harvest in 2004, giving birth to Flechas de los Andes (Arrows of the Andes).  Creating a winery from the ground up was no easy feat for the Frenchmen and was quite the ambitious undertaking at that time. Its architecture is one of a kind and features arrows heavily in the design, echoing the visual trademark of the Rothschild family, while also hono...

  Nestled amidst the rugged beauty of Argentina's Patagonia region, where the Andes Mountains cast their majestic shadow over the pristine landscapes, Bodega Aniello‘s boutique, female-led winery operation lies in the south central province of Rio Negro. Originally founded in 1927, it distinguished itself by applying ancient winemaking techniques that date back over a hundred years ago in Sorrento, Italy. Decades later, in 2010, it was acquired by new owners who then proceeded to execute a complete renovation of the facilities in 2013. Its 55 hectares of planted vines, which are spread across 2 vineyards, includes grapes like Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, the rare French grape Trousseau and of course, the emblematic Malbec.  The location’s desert climate has great thermal amplitude that allows the natural acids in the grapes to be preserved. This is largely due of course to its latitudinal position, which gives the area one more hour of sunshine than the rest...