Decanter March 2017

Garnacha: Spain’s great red surprise: Why is this grape, so often in the shadow of Tempranillo, now on everyone’s lips? Sarah Jane Evans MW investigates

Catalan whites: It’s time to explore the elegant whites of Spain’s northeast corner, urges Miquel Hudin

Merlot: ripe for reappraisal? Maligned by some, it remains a hugely popular grape and key in some of the world’s top wines. Jane Anson reports

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Napa’s new elegance: Adam Lechmere meets six diverse winemakers, united in following a path that favours restraint over opulence

A Burgundian in Jura: Guillaume d’Angerville, of the famed family domaine in Volnay, tells Rosi Hanson about his special project here

Interview: Steve Pannell: Tyson Stelzer meets one of Australia’s most celebrated, deep-thinking winemakers

British Columbia: Western Canada’s Okanagan and Similkameen valleys offer producers myriad soil and grape types, finds Tina Gellie

Plaimont: grape crusader: Margaret Rand learns about this southwest France co-op’s work in rare, historic varieties

Premium red Rioja panel tasting – 191 wines tasted: An exceptional tasting of wines £20 and above: eight over 95pts, and 89 Highly Recommendeds

Red Côtes du Rhône Villages panel tasting – 103 wines tasted: A decent result but few highlights, with no real definition between the many villages

Expert’s choice: Bierzo Mencía: Sarah Jane Evans MW finds producers taming this grape’s rustic acidity and their oak use

Restaurants: Fiona Beckett visits Arcane in Hong Kong and Luca in London

Travel: Haro’s fine wine festival: Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW finds this annual event in Rioja the best way to experience the ‘Magnificent Seven’