Playing devil’s advocate, Chris Lamb responds to yesterday’s article, arguing that the use of sulphur is not only dangerous, but that it conceals a wine’s true identity. Sulphur dioxide: a toxic colourless gas, pungent, corrosive, allergen, irritating, suffocating, leads to acid rain, and was allegedly used by Napoleon’s forces for gas chambers in 19th century […]

With the trend for natural wine continuing, this month’s debate focuses on one of the geekier elements at play – sulphur dioxide. Today Adam Holden claims that SO2 is essential to quality winemaking and not nearly as ruinous as its reputation. The term ‘Contains Sulphites’ became a regular fixture on wines from 2002 (Council regulation […]

In response to queries regarding the rising alcohol levels in wine, Martin Hudson – Master of Wine and Wine Education Specialist – examines why ABVs (alcohol by volume) might be on the rise, and whether or not they actually are. Wine is more alcoholic than it used to be: probably true, but why? There are […]

In this second – and final – part of our audience with Álvaro Palacios, the 2015 Decanter Man of the Year lays bare his passion for bullfighting and describes what to expect from his latest vinous endeavour. We need a pyramid of quality in Spain. If not, we will never be respected by the high-end […]