Wine Insights: Highlights from the Week of December 14, 2025

Hello and welcome to my weekly roundup of captivating wine stories I’ve come across this week. Here are the highlights:

• Tradition is a Lie — French Wine’s Place in France’s Far-Right Gastronationalism
  A thought-provoking piece discussing the intersection of French wine and far-right politics.

• R.H. Drexel: Order from Chaos: A Day in the Life of a Harvest Crew
  A behind-the-scenes look at the daily rhythm of a harvest team at Realm winery.

• Inside the Wild and Wonderful World of Vintage Corkscrews
  An exploration into the fascination with collecting vintage corkscrews.

• Savouring Wine’s Hues
  Tim Atkin discusses the visual pleasures of wine in his latest piece.

• Inside the Wine World’s Fascination with López de Heredia
  An examination of the enduring appeal of this historic winery.

• The Most Memorable Wines of 2025
  Eric’s annual recap of standout wines from the year.

• Arrests in Portugal Fraud Investigation
  A report on a significant fraud investigation affecting Portugal’s wine sector.

• The geologist who rocked riesling to prove the wine buffs wrong
  Insights from a geologist challenging popular beliefs about riesling.

• This new wine region may literally be in your Bay Area backyard
  Introducing an emerging wine region in the Bay Area.

• Female sommeliers cracking the male-dominated wine world open
  Highlighting the achievements of women in the sommelier profession.

• Filling Big Shoes at Ornellaia
  An interview featuring Marco Balsimelli as he steps into a significant role.

• Italy’s Newest Cult-Favorite Wine Is a Chianti (Yes, a Chianti)
  Spotlight on a high-end Chianti that’s become a cult favorite.

• Precarious position of the global wine industry laid bare at WBWE
  An analysis of the current challenges facing the wine market.

• Misguided USDA Guidelines Regarding Alcohol Need to be Fixed
  Dr. Michael Apstein argues for a reevaluation of USDA alcohol guidelines.

• Kiss the dirt – the truth about what makes great wine
  A thought-provoking commentary on the role of terroir in winemaking.

• How Selosse Became a Cult Champagne
  Discover the reasons behind the cult status of Champagne Selosse.

• ‘The role of Ozempic isn’t just about reduced consumption, it’s about a shift in values’
  Discusses the implications of Ozempic on alcohol consumption and lifestyle.

Feel free to explore these stories for deeper insights into the wine world!

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!