Decanter magazine November 2026 issue and Spain guide: See what's inside

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In my glass this month

Another English sparkler this month – this time not a demi-sec but the new Classic Cuvée MV from Leonardslee, near Horsham in West Sussex (£39.50 leonardslee.co.uk).

It’s the first time the estate, which has just started to offer tutored tastings in its new drawing room, has produced a multi-vintage fizz, this one 48% Chardonnay, 46% Pinot Noir and 6% Meunier. Crisp acidity balances mellow orchard fruit and spice.

Inside Decanter's November 2026 issue: Contents list

In focus

• 50 great Bordeaux buys under £25 After scouring UK shelves, Andy Howard MW shares his top-pick dry white, red and sweet wines
• Washington whites In a region known mainly for its red wines, Gwendolyn Elliott focuses on the names to seek out for cult whites
• South Africa’s South Coast Its wines account for a tiny fraction of the nation’s output, but they score highly on visceral energy, says Malu Lambert
• Searching for Syrah Matt Walls picks out 25 must-buy wines for fans of northern Rhône reds, from beyond the region (including three non-Syrahs)
• The future of Champagne It has built its success on producing the high-acid base wines for prestige fizz, so how is Champagne coping with climate change, asks Tom Hewson
• Scents and sense ability Marianna Hunt asks top perfumers for their tips on decoding aromas, and recommends three kits to help you practise at home
• Forgotten France: Haute Vallée de l’Orb Chris Howard on a Languedoc IGP created in 2009 then almost forgotten but now on the rise again
• My other passion: Coffee Colombiaborn winemaker Bibiana González Rave on her coffee-roasting adventures

Spirits

• Distilled Spirits news & cocktails
• Georgian whiskey Julie Sheppard on the country’s first whiskey distillery

Food & travel

• What to pair with spice Fiona Beckett suggests wines to serve with full-flavoured and fragrant dishes
• Rustic retreats French auberges for wine lovers, by Sara Keene

Learning

• Books etc Sophie Thorpe is charmed by a Bordeaux photo collection
• 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: Italy’s indigenous whites The nation’s homegrown varieties reveal their quality: 142 wines tasted, 3 rated Outstanding
• Panel tasting: Piwi varieties The first Decanter tasting of disease-resistant varieties saw strong results: 85 wines tasted, 5 rated Outstanding
• Expert’s choice: Ribolla Gialla/ Rebula Richard Baudains celebrates an understated, versatile grape
• 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 2026 Champagne at the top of its game – medal-winners galore!

Collecting & investing

• Marketwatch Auction news and new releases, plus market overview

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
• Hugh Johnson’s column
• Guest column Karen MacNeil on the joys – and benefits – of drinking solo
• The ethical drinker Sustainability Editor Natalie Earl on worm-maxxing
• On the rack: Tom Gilbey The wine influencer on his everyday drinking

Spain guide 2026

Inside our Spain guide 2026

Contents list

• Welcome Decanter’s Spain Editor Ines Salpico opens this year’s guide
• A talented team A spotlight on four of this year’s contributors
• What’s new in Spain Ines Salpico reports on recent events, new openings, and the sad passing of two high-profile figures in the industry
• Guest column Winemaker Daniel Landi pleads for a new, preventative approch to increasing rural wildfires
• Felices fiestas Noah Chichester on Spanish Christmas and New Year traditions, with wines to match
• Capital wines Beth Willard reports on the exciting wines being made within striking distance of Madrid
• Vega Sicilia Ines Salpico finds out how the celebrated Ribera del Duero producer is setting out its future
• Corpinnat comes of age Sarah Jane Evans MW charts the journey of this successful group of estates, who chose to break away from the Cava DO
• Travel: Cantabria Shawn Hennessey is our guide to this northern region
• Panel tasting: Spanish premium whites An extraordinary event, with 21 Outstanding wines from 177 tasted
• Cutting it fine Shawn Hennessey meets five Maestros Cortadores de Jámon
• A Spanish wine playlist Jonathan Eichholz MS pairs 12 key grape varieties with the perfect listening

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