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Tasting notes: May

29.04.25

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4 min read

TO DRINK
TO EAT
TO EXPLORE
TO TRY
TO DISCOVER

Not all comebacks are created equal. But this month, the returns are worth your time. Merlot steps back into the spotlight, no longer weighed down by 90s clichés but redefined by cool-climate elegance. Chenin Blanc is having its moment too—from the Loire to California, a study in texture and clarity. Elsewhere, we’re seeing comfort reimagined, from sun-dried tomatoes to tiramisu, and exploring craft in its many forms—from a counter seat in London to a shoebox bar in Tokyo. There's something satisfying about the second time around—especially when it's done with care.

TO DRINK

Spicy night in?

Meet Piquepoul Noi – light, floral, and quietly expressive. A rare variety from the south of France, made for spice-led dishes and easy evenings. Rafa’s Louro Godello brings orchard fruit, fresh acid, and a whisper of granite to your chilli-laced dinner party. Think old world Chardonnay—if it had a foresty, biodynamic glow-up. And Clos Windsbuhl brings roses, ripe peach, and just a whisper of spice to complement your weekend curry.

New bottles, no fuss

Patrick Bouju is here to mess with your wine preconceptions in the best possible way. His approach? More hedonistic, more fun, less pretentious nonsense.

Start with Môl 2021—a cheeky 50/50 blend of southern French grapes and Beaujolais/Auvergne varieties. Think inky texture meets aromatic fruit with just enough delicate acidity to keep things interesting. The kind of wine that makes you forget what varietal snobbery even means.

For your house white situation, this Gascony dry delivers grapefruit vibes without the morning-after regret. Perfect for summer salads and general weekend lounging.

And when the grill comes out? Sedoso 2022 is your new best friend—juicy, vibrant, plummy, and absolutely meant to be chilled. Pro tip: ETO bottles fit perfectly in your fridge, because sometimes the universe does care about your convenience.

TO EAT

Save a glass, braise the rest

Beef shin ragù, slow-cooked in Cabernet Sauvignon for three hours—worth cancelling plans for. Brasato al Barolo, where the beef practically melts into creamy polenta. And a white wine miso pot roast that brings the umami—thanks to tamari, miso paste, and plenty of buttery mash on the side.The kind of dinners you make once—and dream about all week.

Recipes worth getting your hands dirty for

Coconut Fried Fish that'll make you question why you ever used regular oil. The subtle sweetness pairs beautifully with shallot and scotch bonnet dressing (trust the process). Grab a glass of Vermentino and call it a proper lunch.

Sunday roast feeling stale? Shredded Sesame Chicken Pancakes with Spiced Plum Sauce will shake things up. The aromatic complexity pairs like a dream with a juicy Cru Beaujolais—consider it your gateway to more adventurous weekend cooking.

For the grill masters: a tangy marinade that keeps chicken thighs impossibly juicy while adding layers of flavor. Pair with a mineral Grüner Veltliner and watch your backyard transform into something resembling sophistication.

TO EXPLORE

Crafting far and wide

In London, a week-long citywide showcase offers a closer look at the hands and minds behind contemporary design. London Craft Week blends age-old techniques with bold new ideas, from silversmithing to scent-making. Half a world away, YIRRAMBOI returns to Melbourne, amplifying the voices of First Nations creativity with a programme of art, movement and music, that's both timeless and contemporary. And in Amsterdam, KunstRAI invites collectors and the curious alike to explore a cross-section of Dutch and international art. Think less white-cube minimalism, more raw creativity and unexpected colour. Wherever you are – there’s something worth discovering.

Quarter-century celebrations worth your time

David Hockney's 25-year retrospective at the LV Foundation in Paris isn't just the painter's largest exhibition to date—it's a joyful deep-dive into a life lived with passionate curiosity. While technically focused on his recent 25 years, it feels like a career-spanning love letter to art, humanity, and the natural world.

Gorillaz celebrates 25 years with "House of Kong" in London—an immersive journey through the virtual band's history plus four live performances. It's bold, it's brave, and it's exactly the kind of exhibition that reminds you why leaving the house can be worth it. Exhibition ticket holders get pre-sale access to the Copper Box Arena shows, perfectly timed with their new album drop.

Tate Modern turns 25 by bringing back the museum's very first visitors from May 2000 to the Turbine Hall. Roman Ondak's "Measuring the Universe" invites you to literally leave your mark on the wall—an evolving exhibition that grows with every visitor. Sometimes the best art is the kind you help create.

TO TRY

Best seat, somewhere

The best seat in the restaurant is not always at the table. Sometimes it’s a quiet corner by the kitchen pass, where steam curls and dishes fly. Or a spot at the bar, where the negroni is stirred just for you and the menu turns into a conversation. In Tokyo, the standing bar at Ginz/Shimada is barely the size of a shoebox, but it’s constantly full. Tucked away in the backstreets of Ginza, it serves elevated small plates and the karasumi soba. A must try. In London, Scully offers a different kind of theatre. This zero-waste kitchen is inspired by Ramael Scully's Asian roots and days at Ottengleni, with fermentation and experimentation at its core. The best place to sit is at the counter, where much of the work is laid bare, and cooking becomes performance. Then there’s Spa 88 in New York – a subterranean banya beneath Wall Street, where steam meets soul. Between dips in the plunge pool, dip into satisfying borscht and soft vareniki (steamed dumplings).

TO DISCOVER

On our radar

Beauty and the Beat turns 20. Edan’s cult classic—half an hour of razor-sharp bars and lo-fi brilliance. Still sounds ahead of its time.

France’s TGV just got a redesign from Japanese studio Nendo and Arep – think comfort cocoon meets high-speed. All aboard the 5th gen.

Interior designer and architect Alessandra Marino turned her Roman home into Ninù: a cocktail bar, restaurant, and design lover’s dream.

Weekend watches

Shrinking is a wholesome, funny and cosy comedy series – perfect for enjoying with a glass of wine. It follows a grieving therapist, who throws professional ethics aside to tell his clients exactly what he thinks, with Harrison Ford and Jason Segal rounding out the cast. Meanwhile, Holy Cow is a charming French underdog story, about an ambitious teenager pursuing the perfect comté—a film that pairs beautifully with white Jura wine, whose nutty profile mirrors the cheese itself. For something entirely different, The Pitt is a high-concept medical drama, unfolding in real-time during a single 15-hour shift—a slow-burn sensation that keeps viewers on the edge of their seat.