Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Wine Enthusiast Magazine is one of the most respected and quoted authorities in the world of wine and spirits. We feature the hottest trends in everything related to wine. Our seasoned editors do the work for you, with over 700 expert ratings and reviews in each issue. Plus, in-depth features on all aspects of cocktails, spirits, beer, inventive wine and food pairings, trendy recipes, savvy travel features, and more.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine • VOLUME 38, NUMBER 2

AIRPORT POURS • In praise of a toast before takeoff.

THE 25TH ANNUAL WINE STAR AWARDS

BROWN SUGAR RUMS • A globe-trotting array of influences are bringing the spirit to these shores.

HOW COME YOU taste so good?

PETITE PEARL • A small but mighty grape that is well equipped for chaotic weather patterns, produces unexpectedly high-quality wines.

TAKE ON TUNA • This recipe from a standard bearer of Oaxacan coastal cuisine falls somewhere between aguachile and tataki.

PASSION PLAY

VACATION MODE

SPICE TRAIL • This mezcal margarita with a habanero kick is a road trip through Mexico in a glass.

A Field Guide to the High Desert Harvest • Hardy, aromatic ingredients foraged from parched lands give spirits a Western flavor.

SEARCHING FOR ROSA CHARDON • A rare pink-skinned grape mutation isn’t easy to find now, but it might be in the future.

PLANTING A FLAG • In North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley AVA, the successful protocol is no protocol.

BIG SHOT

VINTAGE VOYAGE • This month WE tasted wines from across 12 countries, including Bulgaria, Brazil, Argentina and Israel. In this issue we also travel to Japan, Thailand, Canada, Mexico and more exploring international wine scenes. To get started on that journey with us, flip to page 112.

THAILAND IS BECOMING A VERY GOOD PLACE TO DRINK WINE • From an onerous tariff being lifted to a curious younger population, the country is poised for pours.

CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF • These bars find inspiration in mid-century aviation.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE IRISH EXIT • Happy hour starts at 2 p.m. at this busy train station bar where history repeats itself every two minutes.

IT ALWAYS ENDS WITH Poutine • A crawl through Montréal sip by sip and bite by bite.

HAVE TEQUILA, Will Travel • How the Margarita Al Pastor has made its way well beyond Mexico City.

NO Chaser • A seaside Champagne and salt pairing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, breaks taste down to the elements.

Where Wine Meets Weed • Wandering Mendocino’s Cannabis Trail shows in more ways than one why the region is known as California’s ‘greenest AVA.’

LOST CANTONESE SPIRITS • Hong Kong bar owner Gavin Yeung is bringing back nearly forgotten distillates with roots in traditional medicine.

Pacific Rim Pinot • A winemaker incubator grows in Hokkaido, Japan.

A LAGUNA TO LOVE • Visiting Venice isn’t all twisting past tourists trudging lost along canals, if you have access to a boat and you know what you’re doing—Danielle Callegari is known for both.

CALIFORNIA

BEAUJOLAIS

LOIRE VALLEY

BORDEAUX

PROVENCE

RHÔNE VALLEY

TUSCANY

ISRAEL

RYE WHISKEY • Give the spirit some respect—it’s earned it.

DANGER AWAITS YOU IN THE DEPTHS OF THE WINE CAVES!