Author - Aksel Ritenis

Connoisseur Wine Masterclasses – Evaluating the Bouquet After assessing...

Reviews

Lady Parker’s Christmas Dozen

With Christmas just around the corner, there is a last minute rush and myriad of things to organise...

Diary-of-Axel-Ritenis • ESCAPE -Travel & Tourism

Discovering Spain from Parador to Parador

Can you imagine yourself discovering some of Spains’s most emblematic historic buildings on your...

ARCHIVE/Art Exhibitions

Islamic Culture

“Islamic Culture” opens February 24, 2012 at the Brigham Young Museum of Art, Provo...

A LUXURY TRAVEL GUIDE • Australia & NZ

BATHERS’ PAVILION at Sydney’s Balmoral Beach

Bathers’ sits right on beautiful Balmoral Beach and is filled with natural north light. After...

Cooking and Recipes

Connoisseur Magazine Recipe: Kingfish Fillets with Herb Crust...

From Serge Dansereau, The Bathers’ Pavilion Recipe appears in Serge’s “French Kitchen” Cookbook

Epicurean

Chapon Chocolatier, The history of a man: “completely...

“You don’t just taste a Chapon chocolate, you cherish the memory forever”. From the age of seven...

GASTRONOMY • Wine & Food Matching

Connoisseur’s Guide to Matching Wine with Indian Cuisine...

Connoisseur’s Guide to Matching Wine with Indian Cuisine by Karen Anand From my...

Diary-of-Axel-Ritenis • OenoTourism & Wineries • Reviews

Connoisseur Magazine Review: Porto

Connoisseur Magazine Review: Porto Port wine is the most famous representative of fortified...

ARCHIVES 2009-2023 • BLOGS/CORRESPONDENTS • City Guides

Connoisseur’s Guide to Barcelona

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Connoisseur’s Guide to Barcelona by Lizzie Proser “Stylish and captivating Barcelona is...

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Connoisseur Magazine

Connoisseur Magazine is a showcase for 'The Finer things in life' .

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Connoisseur Magazine updated their status.

4 weeks ago

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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.

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CALABRIA FAMILY WINES’ CELEBRATES 80 YEARS OF WINEMAKING, FAMILY & VISIONSydney/ Posted 29 October,2025 by Editor Axel Ritenis who attended the 80th Anniversary Event● Calabria Family Wines celebrates 80 years of winemaking, honouring four generations of family legacy, innovation, and resilience since 1945.● The business continues to evolve with premium Barossa Valley vineyard holdings and wines, sustainable viticulture, and a strong commitment to community through the Bill Calabria Foundation.●Bill Calabria AM, second-generation and Director, reflects on the journey“We’ve come a long way from my parents’ backyard winery. What hasn’t changed is our commitment to quality, our love for the land, curiosity, and the belief that wine brings people together. That’s what drives us forward.”The Calabria story is one of grit, growth, and generational legacy. From hand-crushed grapes in the 1940s to state-of-the-art facilities today, with third and fourth generations now actively involved, the business continues to evolve while staying true to its founding values of integrity, hospitality, and craftsmanship.Calabria Richland and Three Bridges ranges remain household favourites, while new innovative brands like Calabria BELENA reflect the family’s ongoing commitment to relevance in a changing market. Premium wines such as Iconic and Saint Petri allow the winemaking team to work with exceptional parcels of fruit from the family’s three vineyards in the Barossa Valley, land proudly acquired over the past decade.As Calabria Family Wines celebrates its 80th anniversary, the focus remains firmly on the future. “We’re not just making wine, we’re building something that lasts. That means listening to our customers, investing in our people, and protecting the land that gives us so much.”The celebration also included the unveiling of an exclusive Calabria 80th Anniversary Limited Edition Durif VP wine at the launch dinner held at Celebrity Chef Neil Perry's Gran Torino on October 28.“We’re proud of our history, and reaching 80 years is a significant milestone; it definitely is a time to reflect,” says Bill Calabria. “; we’re firmly focused on the road ahead. ... See MoreSee Less

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Graceful sailing on a tack with full wind capture is an art form This video captures the essence of sailing here on the French Riviera at Cannes for the Regatta @regatteroyale ... See MoreSee Less

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Visiting Champagne Taittinger: A Journey Through History and BubblesMy recent press trip to Reims, France, gave me a priviliged look into the legendary world of Champagne Taittinger. As Publisher of Connoisseur Magazine UK I’ve experienced many fine offerings, but this was truly special. The visit was more than a tasting; it was a journey back through the centuries, exploring the historic Saint-Nicaise site and its four kilometers of UNESCO-listed cellars—ancient chalk quarries that perfectly age their exquisite wines. Taittinger remains one of the few family-owned Champagne houses, and their unwavering dedication to quality, particularly their signature Chardonnay-focused style, is evident in every detail. From their extensive 288 hectares of vineyards to the family’s philosophy—"In order to obtain gold in our bottles, we first need to have it in our hands"—the entire experience was a masterclass in tradition and craftsmanship.The highlight was an exclusive dégustation, culminating in the Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs—a true masterpiece only produced in exceptional years and a champagne I now believe belongs on the dinner table, not just as an aperitif. The house is also embracing innovation with the stunning new Polychrome restaurant, offering a monochromatic, art-focused culinary experience paired beautifully with their champagnes. A visit to Taittinger is a profound encounter with history, elegance, and the timeless artistry of one of the world's most revered Maisons. If you're ever in Reims, their unique 'Instant' tours are highly recommended for a truly unforgettable immersion into the 'Art de Vivre.' ... See MoreSee Less