Maybe the better question is—what was the birth of civilization? Marat Yanki of Vinkara Winery in Turkey may have said it best. He said that even nomads can cultivate wheat for a season. But that doesn’t mean they’re a tribe or a society. They simply go where the wind blows and plant wheat somewhere new the next year.
Sam Lerman, CEO of Spyrt Worldwide, a company focused on importing Ukrainian wine, vodka, and other spirits, visited City Vino to share his remarkable journey, the story of SHABO Winery, and a flight of eight Ukrainian wines with the King George Wine Society. The evening was a captivating blend of history, personal mission, and exceptional winemaking. Here are the highlights of a night that took guests from the shores of the Black Sea to the vineyards of Odesa, Ukraine.
Let’s talk about the phrase “room temperature.” Honestly, is this really a universally understood thing? For many of us, it’s that perfect temperature where you can walk around the house in your underwear, binge-watching TV, and not feel too hot or too cold. It’s comfort, it’s balanced—but it's not exactly scientific. And that’s kind of the problem.
Why do we like to drink wine? Is it simply the joy of a good buzz, or is there something deeper, something written into our very biology? The answer might be found swinging through the trees.
Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Pyrenees in southwestern France, Madiran is a small, yet historically significant wine region. Known for producing bold, structured red wines, Madiran is the birthplace of Tannat, a grape variety celebrated for its deep color, intense tannins, and exceptional aging potential. Despite its small size, the region has left a global footprint, influencing winemaking as far away as Uruguay, the United States, and beyond. With a rich history, a unique terroir, and a reputation for crafting age-worthy wines, Madiran is a region worth discovering.
