Steven Spurrier and the Evolution of English Sparkling Wine

Rolling hills with green fields and scattered trees under a cloudy sky.

By Jamie Knee As a luxury wine writer and globally recognized wine communicator, I have spent years exploring the world’s most intriguing wine regions, yet few stories captivate me like the rise of English Sparkling Wine. With climate shifts transforming cool-climate viticulture, England has emerged as an unexpected star. Rolling hills once known only for pastoral…

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Wine Travel Across the USA: A Coast to Coast Tasting Journey

A man in glasses and a cap stands near a camera setup during a sunset.

By, Jamie Knee A Coast-to-Coast Wine Journey Begins Pensacola, Florida: A Wine Bar with Soul Our first stop landed us in the charming Florida Panhandle at Wine Bar on Palafox in Pensacola’s historic downtown. Eclectic, warm, and effortlessly welcoming, this bar and restaurant just celebrated its 11th year under owner Ian Kaple. His rotating wine list changes…

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A Wine Lover’s Guide to Lodi: California’s Hidden Gem for Zinfandel and Beyond

Wine glass held up against a sunset backdrop.

By Jamie Knee, Petite Wine Traveler Luxury Wine Travel Writer, exploring the delights of Lodi’s wine travel scene in the heart of California’s wine country. When most people think of California wine country, their minds immediately go to Napa or Sonoma. But savvy wine travelers are starting to discover Lodi, a region with historic vineyards, sustainable winemaking, and…

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Where Rhône Meets California: A Paso Robles Journey Through Rhône Valley Wines

A rustic house surrounded by lush greenery and garden plants.

Over the summer, I traveled through California’s Central Coast to explore Paso Robles Rhône Valley wines. This region continues to inspire wine lovers around the world. Paso Robles sits almost perfectly between San Francisco and Los Angeles. It offers rolling hills, sweeping vistas, and a climate that mirrors the Mediterranean. The warm days, cool Pacific breezes,…

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A Day in Loire Valley with Château de la Ragotiere

Close-up of layered rocks with varied colors and textures.

By Jamie Knee, Global Wine Writer As a global wine writer, I spend my life chasing the stories behind the world’s most compelling vineyards. Every region carries its own heartbeat, shaped by terroir, heritage, and the hands behind each bottle. Some days feel especially magical, and this one certainly did. I had the pleasure of…

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Some Like It Raw: South Beach Seafood Festival Preview

Logo for South Beach Seafood Week featuring a crab illustration.

South Beach Seafood Festival Preview with Wine Travel Writer Jamie Knee By Jamie Knee South Florida is famous for its sparkling coastline and incredible seafood, with water on three sides and fishing culture woven into daily life. As a wine travel writer who loves any excuse to pair fresh oysters with a crisp glass of…

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Discovering the Sweet Elegance of Bordeaux’s Golden Wines

Historic stone building with an engraved emblem and French text on its facade under a clear sky.

By Jamie Knee A Journey Into the Heart of Sauternes and Barsac In the southern reaches of Bordeaux lies a landscape that feels touched by magic. Sauternes, one of the region’s most celebrated AOCs, is revered for its opulent, full bodied sweet wines crafted primarily from Sémillon. These golden nectars, shaped by nature’s rarest phenomenon,…

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