Modern & Affluent

Olivier Dubois

Contributing Editor, Taste

Olivier grew up in his family's Michelin-starred restaurant in Lyon, inheriting a deep reverence for culinary arts. After training as a sommelier, he discovered his true calling was writing about the experiences surrounding the table. For two decades, he was a fixture at 'Le Figaro,' where his restaurant reviews were considered the gold standard. He is the author of three books, including the James Beard Award-winning 'The Terroir of Memory.' Olivier's writing is known for its sensorial richness and its celebration of the artisans—the chefs, vintners, and farmers—behind every great meal.

Expertise

French and Italian CuisineOenology and ViticultureMichelin Guide and World's 50 BestArtisanal Spirits and MixologyFood HistoryGlobal Culinary TrendsSustainable Gastronomy

Coverage Areas

Michelin-Starred Restaurant Reviews
Wine and Oenology
Profiles of Iconic Chefs
The Art of Entertaining

Latest Articles

Luxurious newly built Airbnb on Cape Cod with private beach access and a golf cart, overlooking the ocean at sunset.
The Portfolio

Cape Cod's Premier Airbnbs for a Seaside Retreat

Imagine: a newly built home in Bourne, the Pocasset Private Beach Retreat, beckons at a staggering $1,684 per night.

Jun 28, 2026 · 3 min read

Collage of discounted tech gadgets like Fitbit and Kindle, highlighting Prime Day deals under $100.
The Portfolio

Find the best Prime Day deals under $100 now

Ah, Prime Day 2026! A moment for true romance with technology, where the Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker, usually $159, becomes yours for a mere $85. That's a $74 reduction, making a premium health co

Jun 28, 2026 · 2 min read

Juxtaposition of traditional Coco de Agua preparation with a modern, simplified recipe influenced by social media trends.
The Portfolio

Coco de Agua: Tradition, Trends, and Cultural Debate

A viral social media trend has daringly reduced the intricate, multi-step craft of Coco de Agua to a mere three-ingredient, five-minute recipe.

Jun 28, 2026 · 3 min read

A close-up of amber whisky pouring from an oak barrel in a warm, rustic distillery setting, symbolizing the release of Rosemaund Farm's 10-year-old single malt.
Taste

Rosemaund Farm Distillery Releases 10-Year-Old English Single Malt Whisky

In a category often considered nascent, Rosemaund Farm Distillery has just released a 10-year-old English single malt, 'The Orchard Cut,' a decade after its initial distillation.

Jun 28, 2026 · 3 min read

The opulent lobby of the Grand Hyatt hotel, bathed in warm evening light, with elegantly dressed guests celebrating its successful $50 million transformation.
The Portfolio

Luxury Hotel Marks Anniversary of $50M Transformation

One year after its magnificent $50 million overhaul, the Grand Hyatt isn't just thriving—it's soaring.

Jun 26, 2026 · 3 min read

A luxurious Beverly Hills mega-mansion featuring a professional-grade pickleball court with stadium lighting and spectator seating.
The Portfolio

Beverly Hills Mega-Mansion Adds Luxury Pickleball Court

At the $295 million Opal mega-mansion in Beverly Hills, a professional-grade pickleball court, complete with stadium lighting and spectator seating, isn't just an amenity; it's a statement.

Jun 26, 2026 · 3 min read

Holographic AI interface analyzing a glass of wine in a traditional cellar, symbolizing the blend of technology and wine tasting.
Taste

How to Improve Your Wine Tasting Palate and Avoid Pitfalls

In 2021, the prestigious Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) wine competition embraced artificial intelligence in its judging protocol.

Jun 24, 2026 · 3 min read

An opaque glass of red wine sits undisturbed in a spotlight, representing the counter-intuitive wine tasting tip about not swirling.
Taste

Counter-Intuitive Wine Tasting Tips for 2026

A University of Bordeaux's study delivered a shocking truth: 70% of experienced tasters misidentified a premium Bordeaux when presented without swirling, in an opaque glass.

Jun 21, 2026 · 6 min read

Chef Taylor Montgomery of Montgomery Sky Farm meticulously plating a dish in a professional kitchen, illuminated by warm, dramatic lighting.
Taste

Montgomery Sky Farm chef wins Best Chef Southeast at James Beard Awards

Taylor Montgomery, the visionary behind Montgomery Sky Farm in Leicester, just clinched the Best Chef: Southeast award at the 2026 James Beard Awards!

Jun 19, 2026 · 3 min read

Elegant patrons enjoying gourmet food and fine wine at an exclusive, dimly lit ballroom event, with a sommelier pouring wine.
Taste

Exclusive Food & Wine Festivals: Costs & Planning for 2026

A VIP ticket to the 2026 New Mexico Wine Festival?

Jun 19, 2026 · 5 min read

Close-up of rich soil with microscopic life, a vineyard, and a glass of wine, symbolizing the scientific and romantic aspects of terroir.
Taste

What is Terroir and How Does it Define Wine's Exclusivity?

Imagine, if you will, a global survey spanning 200 vineyards across four continents, unveiling a secret.

Jun 18, 2026 · 5 min read

Golden hour sunset over Monte Rosso Estate vineyards with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon in the foreground, symbolizing the launch of their own wine label.
Taste

Monte Rosso Estate Launches Its Own Wine Label

The 2023 Los Niños Cabernet Sauvignon, from a 3.

Jun 15, 2026 · 3 min read

The Pioneer One, a 60-foot solar-electric catamaran, showcasing German engineering and Italian design, sailing on calm waters.
The Portfolio

German 60-foot solar catamaran blends Italian style with eco-tech

In July, a dream takes shape: the 60-foot solar-electric catamaran, Pioneer One.

Jun 14, 2026 · 3 min read

The 170-foot Benetti superyacht 'Akira One' cruising elegantly on the Mediterranean Sea during a golden sunset.
The Portfolio

170-foot superyacht 'Akira One' debuts on Below Deck Mediterranean

The 170-foot Benetti superyacht 'Akira One' is a masterpiece, designed for the most intimate, luxurious escapes.

Jun 12, 2026 · 3 min read

Ultra-modern luxury estate on a Palm Springs hillside with multiple pools and panoramic desert views at sunset.
The Portfolio

Philanthropist's Palm Springs hillside retreat lists for $19.5 million

Harold Matzner's Palm Springs estate, a breathtaking $19.

Jun 12, 2026 · 2 min read

French judges reacting with shock and surprise during the 1976 Judgment of Paris blind wine tasting competition.
Taste

The 1976 Judgment of Paris changed wine; the winners shocked the world.

In 1976, a blind tasting in Paris ignited a revolution.

Jun 9, 2026 · 4 min read

A luxurious living room featuring Todd Snyder's new furniture collection for CB2, highlighted by a shearling armchair and elegant decor.
The Wardrobe

Todd Snyder Launches New Furniture Collection With CB2

At CB2, a $3,999 shearling armchair, born from the mind of a celebrated menswear icon, now sits beside a $12.

Jun 8, 2026 · 3 min read

A sommelier expertly tasting red wine in a sophisticated cellar, showcasing the depth and complexity of wine appreciation.
Taste

How to Taste Red Wine Like a Sommelier

At WSET Level 2, I found myself wrestling with secondary and tertiary aromas.

Jun 8, 2026 · 4 min read

Elegant decanter filled with deep red wine, showcasing the rich color and swirling motion, illuminated by soft light.
Taste

How Does Red Wine Breathing Enhance Taste and Aroma?

After just 15 minutes of decanting, a red wine can transform from flat to "alive and fresh with mouth-watering acidity," according to a Good Housekeeping taste test.

Jun 6, 2026 · 4 min read

A packed Madison Square Garden during an NBA Finals game, with fans cheering wildly and the court illuminated.
The Portfolio

Knicks NBA Finals tickets surge past $100,000 at Madison Square Garden

Four seats together in row A of section 11D for a potential Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden are currently listed for an astonishing $651,778.

Jun 6, 2026 · 3 min read