Until now, the winemakers of Gigondas, the southern Rhône cru, have only been permitted to bottle reds and rosés under the appellation, but they will be able to produce white wines from the 2023 vintage following a decision by the French appellation authorities. Wine Spectator has the details.

In Wine Spectator, Robert Camuto catches up with Tom Bove—the man who restored the now-famed Château Miraval (before Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie bought it)—who has built a side career in Provence restructuring and replanting vineyard properties to farm them organically.

In Meininger’s, Giorgi Iukuridze, co-founder of Shabo, Ukraine’s leading winery, shares his experience of the last seven months—since Russia invaded his country.

Rioja has stepped up an aggressive campaign to “protect” itself against the impending new Basque wine appellation, leaving many growers aggrieved and crying foul. Barnaby Eales reports on the situation in Wine-Searcher.

In Grape Collective, Lisa Denning explores how Loire Valley vintners are embracing organic wine. “Loire Valley wine producers have been quick to adopt environmentally-friendly farming methods, with 65% of vineyard land now certified, or in the process of being certified, organic, biodynamic or sustainable. Yet clearly, the direction is heading towards chemical-free, with 25% of Loire estates and 18% of the vineyard surface organic, an increase of 29% since 2021.”

The Wall Street Journal remembers Fred Franzia.

Meanwhile, Samantha Sette looks at the complicated legacy of Fred Franzia in Wine Enthusiast. “Regardless of where one’s opinion lands, Two-Buck Chuck is undeniably an iconic American wine. Perhaps there’s a grander point to be made about stateside palates, perhaps not. But one fact is clear: For it, we have Fred Franzia to thank.”