The Journal.

All / LIFESTYLE

Tasting notes: May

29.04.25

•

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.

Chenin Blanc

Vouvray (“voo-vray”) is a white wine made with Chenin Blanc grapes that grow along the banks of the Loire River in the Touraine district of France. It’s loved for its delicate floral aromas and a boisterous taste that will leave you wanting more. Huet Vouvray Le Mont Sec (2022; 'sec' meaning dry) is an expressive and rich wine – with flavours of lemon, yellow apple and honeysuckle, flecked with dried thyme, brioche and chamomile tea.

Outside of France, California has some of the oldest Chenin Blanc plantings. Compared to the Loire style, Californian ones tend to be rounder and more fruit-forward. If that sounds like something you might enjoy, give Pax winery’s 2023 Chenin Blanc, Alder Springs Vineyard a go. It’s literally on another level – the high elevation influence adds lift and vibrancy, along with orange zest, tangerine oil and wet sand aromas. Or the 2023 Chenin Blanc from Husch Vineyards, with its juicy pear, orange blossom and peach, is the perfect wine for any occasion.

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.

Party food

Spring is here, and with it an excuse to gather together and enjoy some simple but memorable appetisers. An easy nod to Spanish tapas – layer prosciutto over Torres crisps, for a bite that is crunchy and savoury. Vietnamese lettuce cups are a refreshingly light option: tactile, bright and bursting with herbs. And since it’s asparagus season, don’t overlook the beauty of a tart – zesty, savoury, and gone in moments.

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.

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.