Wine Spectator

Muscadet is much more than a light quaff to pair with oysters and other seafood. This week's Tasting Highlights spotlights the complex, world-class white wines coming out of Muscadet in France's Loire Valley. Our recommended bottlings of these minerally wines are priced as low as $17 and scored up to 92 points.

Marchese Vittorio Frescobaldi, one of Italy's visionary leaders in the wine industry, died Aug. 26. He was 97. "Vittorio's passing is a big loss not only for his family but for the industry in general," fellow Tuscan vintner Piero Antinori told Wine Spectator. "I remember that when I started to work in our family business, my father spoke to me of Vittorio as an example to follow for his passion and love for the land, his sense of balance and his unique wisdom.

It's the most wonderful time of the year: when celebrities, influencers and, yes, some actual tennis fans flock to Flushing-Meadows, Queens, for the U.S. Open Tennis Championships. And while technically everyone is there to see the greatest tennis players in the world going head-to-head on New York City courts, we all know that fans are really there to get the perfect Instagram photo of a Honey Deuce, the official cocktail of the U.S. Open.

When Lauren Strojny and Jason Exposto met, they were each pursuing careers in wine. Neither had set out to start a winery of their own; both thought the concept was improbable. But as they got to know each other, making wine together began to feel within reach. They discovered a shared passion for Chardonnay bottlings that balanced richness with tension, texture and energy-and realized they could create these wines together. They met through mutual friends.

By More than 460 wines were reviewed by Wine Spectator senior editor Alison Napjus for the Spain tasting report in the October 15-31, 2026, issue. For a full analysis of the latest vintages, best producers and recommended wines, read "Spain on Top." WineSpectator.com members can find full reviews, with tasting notes, in the Wine Ratings search.

By More than 300 wines were reviewed by Wine Spectator senior editor Aaron Romano for the California Rhône tasting report in the October 15-31, 2026, issue. For a full analysis of the latest vintages, best producers and recommended wines, read "California Rhône's Renaissance." WineSpectator.com members can find full reviews, with tasting notes, in the Wine Ratings search.

By More than 700 wines were reviewed by Wine Spectator senior editor Bruce Sanderson for the Tuscany tasting report in the October 15-31, 2026, issue. For a full analysis of the latest vintages, best producers and recommended wines, read "Tuscans for the Table." WineSpectator.com members can find full reviews, with tasting notes, in the Wine Ratings search.

The ongoing trade dispute between the United States and Canada is continuing to heat up, and wine and spirits consumers and producers are increasingly paying the price. Talks between U.S. and Canadian trade representatives broke down shortly before midnight Aug. 22, after weeks of negotiations attempting to find a deal that would keep President Donald Trump from imposing 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, or about 5% of its U.S.-bound exports.

By More than 180 wines were reviewed by Wine Spectator senior editor Kristen Bieler for the Austria wine focus in the October 15-31, 2026, issue. For a full analysis of the latest vintages, best producers and recommended wines, read "Austria's Precision Era." WineSpectator.com members can find full reviews, with tasting notes, in the Wine Ratings search.

This week's Tasting Highlights spotlights Oregon, including wines beyond Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Willamette Valley. Our recommended bottlings, from Argyle, Big Table Farm and more, scored up to 93 points.