The Grape Escape
When Napa Valley winemaker Jeffry Hill promised customers authentic terroir, he allegedly delivered something closer to highway robbery—substituting out-of-region grapes for premium Napa fruit in a $1.5 million scheme that now has him facing federal prison time. It's not the first time Hill has tangled with vineyard law, but with eight felony counts and two decades of potential sentence per charge, this vintage of trouble may finally prove undrinkable.
Trump Signs Order to Shield Roundup Production.
The only promising prospect of a renewed Trump presidency appeared to be MAHA—a movement to extract the agrochemical industry from American food production and return to holistic, sustainable farming practices. That promise evaporated with the stroke of a pen.
The Jerky Files: Inside Epstein's Meat Operation
From Battlefields to Vineyards
As we mark 4 years since the start of the Ukraine war, That spring of 2022, French supermarket shelves began emptying of an essential condiment. Dijon mustard—ubiquitous in French kitchens—became a precious commodity, with prices nearly doubling and consumers limited to one jar per visit.
Obliteration of the Restaurant Industry
Part 1 - The Debt.
Crybaby to Bring Alpine Wines - NYC Dining News
The new bar from former Contento sommelier Cameron Philip opens this spring with a focus on Jura wines, Chartreuse, and apres-ski comfort.
The Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings of 2026
From Denver's Maize reimagining Mexican masa through 18 courses to Tokyo's SingleThread expansion, 2026 brings international ambition together with hyper-specialized concepts like Martin Auer's rye-only bakery and celebrity debuts including Jeff Daniels' Michigan bistro, redefining street food and fine dining.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump Tariffs.
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court on Friday struck down a significant portion of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff agenda, delivering a major blow to one of the central pillars of his economic policy.
The MICHELIN Guide Returns to Las Vegas
THE POUR WEEKLY: Export Crisis Edition
French Export Crisis
French wine exports hit a 25-year low at 168 million cases. US tariffs and Chinese duties drove an 8% value drop to €14.3 billion.
EU Rescue Package
Brussels approves crisis funds for vine removal and export promotion. New rules mandate "alcohol-free 0.0%" labeling for sub-0.05% ABV wines.
Swiss Protectionism
Swiss growers seek import quotas as domestic consumption falls 8%. The move would restrict EU wine imports through a 2001-style volume cap system.
Luxury Resilience
Fine wine defies the downturn: $250+ bottles keep selling as collectors prioritize scarcity over the contracting mainstream market.
Margins Wine Closes
Santa Cruz natural winery Margins Wine announces closure after a decade. Founder Meghan Bell cites unsustainable debt and industry headwinds.
When Dreams Turn to Nightmares: Inside Noma's Reckoning
UK wine duty rises again as inflation-linked tax hike takes effect
The Great Wine Reckoning: Europe's Vineyards Face a "Structural Shift" as Demand Plummets
Europe's ancient vineyards are at a crossroads, navigating a crisis far deeper than mere economic fluctuation. What began as a slump has matured into a full-blown "structural shift," forcing governments and winemakers to make unprecedented, and often heartbreaking, decisions.
The Sleeping Giant
Noma Brings Its Residency—to Los Angeles amidst Greenland invasion..
How Much Americans Spend on Alcohol, by State
Alcohol spending in the United States varies widely from state to state, shaped by a mix of cultural norms, climate, income levels, and access to healthcare and addiction services
The Knossos Con: Did Ancient Greeks Sell "Counterfeit" Wine to Rome?
For the elite of the Roman Empire, few luxuries were as coveted as Cretan raisin wine. Known as passum, this thick, honey-sweet nectar was the "champagne" of antiquity—a status symbol prized for its complex flavor and supposed medicinal properties. However, recent archaeological findings at Knossos suggest that Greek winemakers may have been running a sophisticated "fast-fashion" version of viticulture
London Notes: A Return After 20 Years & the Rise of English Wine
Our Trip to London , Visiting Old and New and a trip to Pour Choices wine fair at the Tate..
Beneath the Bubbles: Champagne’s Harvest Faces Reckoning Over Worker Exploitation
Champagne’s iconic harvest has been overshadowed by revelations of worker exploitation and human trafficking. The deaths of migrant grape pickers during the 2023 heatwave exposed unsafe conditions and abusive subcontracting practices, prompting court convictions, industry reforms, and renewed scrutiny as producers face reputational and sales pressures.
Upcoming events.
A list of Upcoming Natural wine fairs.