Lifestyle

Charles Winn gives the Lowdown on the World’s ‘Fine Wine’ Capital

Published

5 years ago

November 3, 2020

The majority of the world might remain in lockdown amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but for some industries life must continue as normal, such as for ‘fine wine’. Whilst the rest of the world locks down, in Bordeaux – the fine wine capital of the world – producers are hard at work preparing their crops for the next season.

Geography

A port city on the Garonne River in southwestern France, Bordeaux is renowned globally for its famous wine-growing regions. A river runs directly through the region, and on the West side sits Gironde and Garonne. Typically, these regions are known for wines such as Sauvignon. On the East side of the river nestles Dordogne, known primarily for Merlot.

In total, Bordeaux has 57 grape-growing regions making it the biggest wine producer in France. Originally made famous for its popularity with kings, nowadays, Bordeaux and its chateaus are popular tourist attractions.

The Wines

As one of the biggest wine-makers in the world, you might expect Bordeaux to produce a diverse range of different type of wines. However, more than 90% of the wine produced here is actually red, with the region specifically producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carménère.

Having said this, in 2019 Bordeaux’s regulatory body approved four additional dark grape varieties to add to the list: Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.

Bordeaux’s First Growth wines (the term for a wine made specifically made in Bordeaux) are made by blending 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 15% Merlot. In contrast, the White Bordeaux is made from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle.

The History

Bordeaux’s wine-making history stretches back over many centuries. In 1855, the Association of Bordeaux Wine Merchants established official classification and certification of the wines after Emperor Napoleon III requested that they do so.

Ranking the wines from First Growths to Fifth Growths, the merchants evaluated market prices based on an evaluation of the previous years. They noticed that red wines which made the list came from the Médoc region, except for one: Château Haut-Brion from Graves.

Since this original classification in 1855, there have only been two changes. In 1856, Château Cantemerle was added as a Fifth Growth and in 1973, Château Mouton Rothschild was promoted from Second Growth to the elite First Growth classification. The latter change is a wine much loved and highly ranked by Charles Winn and its customers.

Château Margaux

Global flavour

It didn’t take long for the popularity of Bordeaux wine to grow all over the world. After King Henry II’s marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152, an interest in wine from the Bordeaux region was prompted in England.

The marriage established the province of Aquitaine within France and England, and a new dark rosé wine was created, called ‘Claret’. This wine soon became the most common wine to be exported to Britain.

After the battle of Castillion in 1453, the Aquitaine region returned to the French. Since then, the word ‘Claret’ became anglicised and is still widely used today, due to the global popularity of the wine.

The exterior of the château

Lifestyle

Never Too Late: G.A. Sallee’s Debut Thriller Is an Ode to Creative Timing

Published

5 days ago

October 7, 2025

Michelle Langton

G.A. Sallee’s journey to authorship didn’t begin in a college writing class or with a publishing contract in hand. It began with a lifelong love of storytelling, set aside during his military service. Now, with the release of his debut novel, True Crime: Fact or Fiction, Sallee proves that creative callings don’t come with expiration dates.

Writing Without a Deadline

Sallee first discovered his passion for writing in high school, but like many, life pulled him in different directions. Service in the U.S. Army, marriage, and the everyday responsibilities of adulthood filled the years. But the spark remained.

“Once I started again, it took on a life of its own,” he says. “Halfway through, I realized I was writing a real book.”

That realization mirrors a broader shift in the publishing world. According to Publishers’ Weekly, more than 60% of debut authors today are over the age of 40. Sallee joins this wave with a novel that’s both personal and poignant, shaped by experience and driven by heart.

Inside the Pages of True Crime: Fact or Fiction

The story centers on podcaster Scott Townsend, whose true crime series leads him to investigate a 5-year-old cold case. But when he uncovers a second murder echoing the first, his pursuit of the truth becomes increasingly dangerous. What started as a strategy to grow his audience spirals into something far more threatening.

As Scott’s motives shift and his safety unravels, the novel asks timely questions: When does storytelling cross the line into obsession? And what happens when the pursuit of justice becomes personal?

The title isn’t just about the podcast content: it reflects the uncertainty surrounding Scott’s own reality. Readers are invited to question what’s real, what’s constructed, and how far someone will go for the sake of a story.

A Life That Informs the Work

Sallee served in the Iraq War and currently lives in South Carolina with his wife, Sandrice, and their three dogs. His experiences inform his writing in quiet, powerful ways. Themes of duty, perseverance, and emotional complexity run through the narrative, lending it depth without ever becoming heavy-handed.

“My dog Jake would lie on my lap while I wrote. I’d type on his back for hours,” he recalls. That simple image speaks volumes about the warmth and humanity behind the suspense.

Beyond the military and family life, Sallee’s writing space is steeped in personal meaning. Surrounded by loved ones and memories, he crafts stories that are as much about human nature as they are about crime and mystery.

A Story That Resonates Beyond the Page

In a market often driven by fast-paced trends and debut authors in their twenties, Sallee’s voice offers something different: perspective. His storytelling isn’t flashy, but focused, clear, and emotionally grounded. Readers looking for depth over drama will find a welcome space here.

He writes not just to tell a story but to connect. ‘I want people to feel like they’re part of my journey,” he says.

What’s Next

While Sallee dreams of reaching bestseller lists and publishing more novels, his real success is in showing what’s possible when passion meets perseverance. His book is a reminder to anyone feeling the urge to create – there’s no wrong time to begin. Each word written is a step toward something meaningful.

If you’re searching for your next thriller or murder mystery with substance and heart, True Crime: Fact or Fiction deserves a place on your shelf.

You can learn more and follow G.A. Sallee’s journey at gasallee.com.