Decanter magazine April 2026 issue: See what's inside
From a celebration of Italy to South African Bordeaux blends, plus offbeat pairings for lamb and making wine from disease-resistant grape varieties, see what's inside the Decanter magazine April 2026 issue.
Leader: Amy Wislocki, Decanter magazine editor
A special relationship
You’ll be in a beautiful, rural setting far from the frenetic pace of day-to-day life, and you’ll get a rare insight into the life of a winemaker.
It’s obviously a valuable revenue stream for wineries in a tough economic climate, but Elisa De Lulis of biodynamic estate Emidio Pepe in Abruzzo says (in our cover story on Italy’s new-wave agriturismo) that money is not the driver.
Instead, she explains, it’s an extension of their winemaking philosophy: a way to protect and communicate their heritage by letting people see it with their own eyes.
Visiting a winery in person certainly creates an understanding of, and a loyalty to, the estate that endures, and enhances the drinking experience. You’ll come back to their bottles time and again, with affection and memories.
PS: Don’t miss Jason Millar’s captivating tasting notes in his ‘love letter to the South’. Makes me want to seek out the bottles, even if I can’t get there.
In my glass this month
Tiziano Gaia’s reply to our reader question on 2004 Barolo (See 'Wine Wisdom') reminded me that I had a couple of dusty bottles in my kitchen wine rack. After years of fluctuating temperatures, I wasn’t hopeful when I uncorked Andrea Oberto’s 2004 Vignetto Albarella from La Morra. Colour still good; acidity firm; but no fruit or floral character – instead all tertiary, tar rather than roses. I’m sure proper cellaring would have prolonged its life.
Inside Decanter magazine's April 2026 issue
In focus
- Italy: Love letter to the south Jason Millar celebrates the creative chaos of the country’s southern wine regions
- Italy: The relevance of Riserva There’s more to the term than extra ageing, as Michaela Morris explains
- Italy: Top estates diversify Raffaele Mosca introduces the lesser-known side projects of six cult producers
- Italy: Stone & smoke Tom Hyland turns the spotlight on Sauvignon Blanc and its varied regional expressions
- Italy: Co-ops to know Cooperative winemaking could be a blueprint for the future, says Lauren Mowery. She profiles six of Italy’s best examples
- Champagne’s Montagne de Reims It’s not all about Pinot Noir, says Tom Hewson, who picks out 30 great bottles
- South African Bordeaux blends Jason Millar picks a dozen reds that show why this style made the nation’s wine reputation and is back in fashion
- My other passion: Surfing Luis Duarte of Lisboa’s Haja Cortezia tells Ines Salpico about life by the Atlantic
Spirits
- Distilled Spirits news & cocktails
- Armagnac Joel Harrison explains how the spirit differs from Cognac
Food & travel
- What to pair with lamb Fiona Beckett suggests offbeat matches
- Italy travel: New-wave agriturismo Immerse yourself in vineyard life with a wine-country farm-stay. By Joel Hart
- Italy travel: Bari for wine lovers Sarah Lane visits the Puglian capital
Learning
- Books etc Sophie Thorpe is charmed by a self-published book on Japan
- Wine wisdom Expert advice to help you on your ongoing wine journey
Buying guide
- Introduction
- Editors’ picks Decanter staff share highlights from their recent tastings
- Panel tasting: Verdicchio Perfect whites for spring from Italy’s Marche, 78 wines tasted, 4 rated Outstanding
- Panel tasting: Unoaked Italian reds An eclectic bunch of native grapes and styles impressed. 77 wines tasted
- Expert’s choice: Italy’s Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Discover this characterful, food-friendly dark rosé style, with Alessandra Piubello’s 18 top examples
- Weekday wines Decanter’s tasting team brings you 25 top picks, ready to drink now and priced at £30 or less
- Weekend wines Priced £30-£60, seven standout buys to impress
- DWWA 2025 South Africa: Gold-winning white wines
Collecting & investing
- Marketwatch Auction news and new releases, plus top-end Tuscany
Regulars
- Welcome
- Writing this month Meet four of the authors who contributed to this issue
- News The latest from the wine world
- The brief Ideas and inspiration
- Andrew Jefford’s column
- Katherine Cole’s column
- Guest column Charlie Geoghegan argues that wine critics have a duty to publish bad reviews, as well as good
- The ethical drinker Natalie Earl on Pierre & Antonin, a Languedoc-based micro-négociant making wines from disease-resistant grape varieties
- Subscribe to Decanter
- On the rack: Michael Seresin The cinematographer turned winemaker shares wine stories with Lucy Shaw
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