ST. HELENA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc. (NYSE: NAPA) (the “Company”), North America’s leading luxury wine company, today announced that Gayle Bartscherer will join the Company as its next Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing and DTC and will assume the role in the coming weeks. . Bartscherer brings over 20 years of wine industry-focused experience to The Duckhorn Portfolio, having previously held key leadership positions in business development, cellar operations, brand management, marketing and marketing and international sales.

Most recently, Bartscherer spent the last few years managing a team of 60 as SVP International Sales, Marketing and Business Development at Jackson Family Wines (JFW). During her 14 years at JFW, Bartscherer held several key positions, including Chief Brand Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, and Vice President of International Marketing and Business Development. After starting out in the accounting industry, Bartscherer began her wine career at Blue Lifestyle, where she worked alongside James Beard Award-winning author, columnist and television personality Anthony Dias Blue as vice president of business development and events. Bartscherer also worked at enjoy your food Magazine and Santa Barbara-based Beckmen Vineyards in marketing and operations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in French and Italian from the University of London.

“Gayle is an exceptional addition to our leadership team,” said Alex Ryan, the company’s president, CEO and chairman. “She is a strategic, driven and dynamic leader with a proven track record of identifying and capitalizing on market opportunities, particularly in the DTC channel. Gifted leader and responsible marketer with a deep understanding of luxury wine , she will contribute immensely to both our day-to-day operations and our broader strategic planning, while also focusing on the continued growth of our highly successful DTC program.Gayle’s early experiences as an accountant at Arthur Andersen, formerly one of the “Big Five” accounting firms, also ensures that she will bring the necessary financial rigor to her role to support our dual mission of growth and continuous quality improvement, and will be an invaluable addition to The Duckhorn portfolio.

“Like many others, I have been incredibly impressed with what The Duckhorn Portfolio has achieved and what it now represents in the luxury wine industry,” said Bartscherer. “Guided by the same pioneering spirit that made Duckhorn Vineyards an icon, The Duckhorn Portfolio is redefining the modern American luxury wine industry while setting new benchmarks for quality and consumer engagement. I am thrilled to join the team and help continue the tradition of excellence.

Ryan also referred to the invaluable contributions of outgoing Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer and Director of DTC, Carol Reber. “Over the past 12 years, Carol has been instrumental in transforming The Duckhorn Portfolio into the company we are today. She was instrumental in our success in establishing The Duckhorn Portfolio as the best one-stop luxury wine store in America. I can think of no greater compliment than to say that Carol has left our company stronger, more vibrant and more ready to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead than ever before. We are deeply grateful to Carol and wish her all the best.

About The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc.

The Duckhorn Portfolio is North America’s premier luxury wine company, with ten wineries, eight state-of-the-art winemaking facilities, seven tasting rooms and over 900 acres of coveted vineyards spanning 23 estate properties. . Established in 1976 when winemakers Dan and Margaret Duckhorn founded Napa Valley’s Duckhorn Vineyards, our portfolio today includes some of North America’s most revered wineries including Decoy, Paraduxx, Goldeneye, Migration, Canvasback, Calera, Kosta Browne, Greenwing and Postmark. Sourcing grapes from our own vineyards and fine growers in Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Anderson Valley, California’s North and Central Coasts and Washington State, we offer a comprehensive and curated portfolio of acclaimed luxury wines with prices ranging from $20 to $200 across more than 15 varietals and 25 appellations. Our wines are available throughout the United States, on five continents and in more than 50 countries around the world. To find out more, visit us at: https://www.duckhornportfolio.com/. Investors can access information on our Investor Relations website at https://ir.duckhorn.com.

The program offers courses and certifications for wine beginners, connoisseurs and service professionals

– The Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) program in Paso Robles, which has already helped hundreds of Paso Robles wine industry professionals earn their certifications, returns with in-person classes this spring at Broken Earth Winery, including the WSET Level 3 award in Wines, one of the most rigorous and respected wine certifications in the industry.

The internationally recognized program is the only fully approved resident WSET program in Paso Robles. A satellite of The Wine House, the program offers courses and certifications for wine beginners, connoisseurs, service professionals and advanced wine students. The program is considered one of the most prestigious wine industry qualifications in the world.

Course Levels 1, 2 and 3 will be offered this year: The WSET Level 1 Introductory Wine Course is a six-hour course that establishes a solid foundation of wine education, culminating in a certification exam. The WSET Level 2 Award in Wine delves deep into a wider world of wine through blind tasting, winemaking, culture and a wide range of appellations, while the Level 3 Award in Wine and Spirits covers major wine regions of the world in more depth and includes a more detailed study of viticulture and winemaking.

“I am very excited to once again help wine professionals and wine enthusiasts in the Paso Robles/SLO area advance their wine education with local, in-person access to the WSET program and certifications, as well as ‘to the wide range of wines from around the world that are part of every course,’ said Melanie Webber, who leads and teaches the Paso Robles program.

Webber has been teaching wine certification in Paso for three years, helping industry professionals become certified, including winery owners, winemakers, chefs, tasting room managers and staff, as well as those who are reorienting their career towards wine. She holds the Diploma in Wine and Spirits from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, as well as French Wine Scholar and Spanish Wine Scholar certifications from The Wine Scholar Guild. She is certified by WSET’s rigorous Educator Training Program to teach WSET L1, L2 and L3. She has also taught the French Wine Scholar and Diploma WSET courses in Los Angeles.

“WSET’s world-class certifications program is excellent and rigorous, but Melanie makes learning accessible, fun and engaging, while ensuring deep understanding. Melanie’s courses are essential learning for anyone serious about developing their wine education,” said Neeta Mittal, founder and owner of LXV Wine in Paso Robles.

Paso Robles WSET In-Person Classes:

WSET Level One Award in Wines – Tuesday March 29 – Link to register here.

A beginner level introduction to wine suitable for those starting a career in wine or with an interest in wine, it explores the main types and styles of wine through sight, smell and taste, while teaching the basic skills to accurately describe wines and create wine pairings, as well as wine service and etiquette. A suggested prerequisite for WSET L2, it includes a printed study guide, a 10-wine tasting, food pairing exercises, and an exam fee. Successful applicants receive a certificate and a pin for the internationally recognized WSET Level 1 Award in Wines.

WSET Level Two in Wines Awards – Monday/Tuesday March 14-15 and Exam March 28 – Link to register here.

Designed as vocational product knowledge training for those employed in the beverage industry, the qualification is suitable wherever a good level of product knowledge is required to underpin professional skills and competence. The WSET Level 2 Award in Wines course is also suitable for those who are not employed in the beverage industry but want a serious education in wine and want to expand their knowledge in a structured way. The course includes tastings of over 30 wines.

WSET Level Three Award in Wines May 2, 3, 16, 17, 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Exam on June 20 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Link to register here or email [email protected] to reserve your spot.

An advanced level qualification for professionals working in the wine industry and for serious wine lovers.
For those wishing to delve deeply into the world of wines, Level 3 provides a detailed understanding of viticulture and winemaking. Open to students who hold the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines, or who can demonstrate intermediate level knowledge by completing equivalent training courses, or who have sufficient experience in the wine business. The course covers the wines of the world in depth (over 35 hours) and tastings of over 70 wines. This qualification has a minimum requirement of 84 hours of study time, including 30 hours of classroom time.

Related

After almost exactly two years, this week I finally returned to South Africa to visit both wine producers and suppliers in the Cape Winelands and upcountry in Johannesburg and Pretoria. No matter what international commentators and wine critics say, it is simply not possible to truly keep your finger on the pulse of an entire wine industry 8000 kilometers away. I would say this is true for all wine industries, but it is particularly relevant to that of South Africa which grapples daily with a unique and complex set of political, social and economic circumstances. Indeed, every time I talk to my good friend and leading South African wine critic for Vinous.com, Neal Martin, he echoes my sentiments and describes how much easier it is to criticize South African wines. when you can talk, taste and listen to the producers. in person and above all, visit the vineyards.

Another great benefit of traveling to South Africa and all the way to Pretoria is that it allows me to venture into my wine cellar which I have accumulated over 27+ years of collecting, starting in 1995, while I was a bit more financially working as a commodity trader. Although I’ve been away for two years, my wine shopping certainly hasn’t stopped. Going into my cellar to inspect new unseen bottles is a treat for me, because very often many are complete surprises because ‘out of sight is out of mind’ and I really forget some of the fantastic wines that I bought from a distance in London and had it delivered to my cellar in Pretoria.

One of the wine buying trends that seems to persist is that most of the wines I tend to buy in South Africa are foreign, and mostly French, Italian and German. That’s not to say I don’t buy the best South African wines…which I sure do, but even then it’s usually a fairly narrow, high-end selection of the best aging wines , mostly red, from the most sought-after producers. who only sell on allocation. It may seem counter-intuitive, but some of Europe’s best wines, particularly Burgundy, are apparently more readily available in South Africa than in the UK or Europe. Never cheap and always well distributed, it’s always a delight to buy and drink wines that I can no longer buy on the way out in London. The appetite at release, especially for the top of Burgundy, is voracious and even though Handford Wines, the trader I buy for, receives and assigns X, Y or Z wine… more often than not the Private customer demand dictates that there is no opportunity for staff like me to buy.

One of my first stops on my return to Pretoria is to hit the local wine merchants to browse the shelves for new releases and perhaps the odd cherry that has slipped through the net. You’ll normally find the usual suspects like Meerlust Rubicon, Kanonkop Paul Sauer and Vilafonté Series C or M, but you just won’t see a whole host of producers I take for granted in London. As good as the wine shop is, you won’t find Savage, Rall, David & Nadia, Van Loggerenberg, Mullineux, Naudé or even fairly hearty new releases like Taaibosch. To this day, I still have trouble understanding this dynamic.

Of course, in London, if you walk into an Oddbins or similar wine chain, you’re also unlikely to come across any of South Africa’s top wines, although you may see some great second labels like Kanonkop Kadette or Vilafonté Seriously Old Dirt. But usually, you’ll have to go to an independent merchant (like Handford Wines or Philglass & Swiggot, etc.) to see the more specialty producers, boutiques, or exciting ones on the shelves. Thankfully independent merchants are ‘a thing’ again in the UK and certainly very popular places to buy wine and spirits after the two years of pandemic closures/shutdowns have rekindled interest among average consumers in small shops independents in the main street.

I may be saying the obvious, but if I could get a pound for every South African who complains about me because all the best South African wines are exported, I’d be a rich man! With many small producers exporting up to 80% of their production, there will of course be consumers on the streets crying blue murder. But surely, logic dictates that if a high-end local producer could sell 70% or 80% of his production at a higher margin in the local market with relative ease, he would probably pursue this path. For the record, it seems to me that on the price side, the local market is indeed much more fickle and sensitive to prices and that there is certainly a better margin to be made for export. Of course, we still have to take into account that many of SA’s best boutique producers want their wines to be exposed to the world’s fine wine drinkers and drunk in the world’s best restaurants.

As I write this column, I sip a delicious glass of Pierre Yves Colin Morey Saint Aubin Le Blanc 2015 Chardonnay from Burgundy, a wine I buy every year from Johannesburg’s top fine wine merchants, Great Domaines. This too is another example of wine that I cannot buy when it comes out in London due to the incredible demand.

So the irony is thick… I need to buy my favorite Burgundies in Johannesburg and my favorite South African fine wines in London while feeling a bit of grief for all the South African fine wine lovers who covet the shelves of London’s premium fine. wine retailers when they visit Handfords, Harrods, Harvey Nicholls, Hedonism or Selfridges in London. We are indeed spoiled in London when it comes to the best deals in South Africa and nothing beats a trip home to help me remember that fact.

• Greg Sherwood was born in Pretoria, South Africa, and as the son of a career diplomat, he spent his first 21 years traveling the world with his parents. With a degree in business administration and marketing from Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA, Sherwood began his professional career as a commodity trader. In 2000, he decided to take a long-term interest in wine by taking up a position at Handford Wines in South Kensington, London and is now Senior Wine Buyer. He became Master of Wine in 2007.

The scientists who developed the Nutri-Score AE health food labeling system in France call for all alcoholic beverages to be labeled “F”.

This in addition to showing its sugar and calorie content, said nutritionist Professor Serge Hercberg, one of the diet’s founders.

The idea predictably infuriated the wine industry, including in Italy. The EU would be keen to use the Nutri-Score concept throughout the bloc.

From the end of next year, the obligation to carry standard nutrition information on foods will be extended in the EU to alcoholic beverages.

The Nutri-Score started in France in 2017. It is not mandatory but there are calls to do so.

High in fruits and vegetables, fiber, protein, and healthy oils usually mean A and B scores, while excess sugar, saturated fat, or sodium usually means a D or E.

When it comes to displaying standard nutrition information and ingredients, wine and most other alcohols that only have one main ingredient (grapes or cereal grains) but can have a lot of additional substances such as sulphites, have been specially exempted from carrying all the information on the bottle.

Christophe Château, from the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux, said: “We won’t need to have an additional label on the bottle, but rather a QR code or a web link.”

He said having a low F Nutri-Score wouldn’t “make us happy, but you have to go with the flow.”

He added: “It’s a reminder that wine contains a lot of calories – around 80 for a glass of red wine. We’re confident most people will see the information as it is. We always advise people to drink for pleasure and in moderation.

Demeter, which certifies biodynamic wines, said: “We will continue to have wines certified as Demeter wines with the highest possible biodynamic principles. If Nutri-Score says it’s an F, that’s their problem, not ours.

The proposals led to a diplomatic incident when Italy’s agriculture minister wrote an open letter about it to President Macron.

“I want to know what Macron thinks of the latest Nutri-Score proposals, which now say that we should have a black F for all drinks containing a little alcohol,” wrote Gian Carlo Centinaio. “Does the French president agree with that?”

Nutri-Score has also been criticized by cheese makers, unhappy that most artisan and PDO cheeses score a low D or E because of the fat and salt.

Related stories:

A wine estate in France offers a bottle refill program to reduce its carbon footprint

AOP or IGP, sweet or syrupy… How to interpret the labels of French wines

“Wine for lovers”: discovering the two most romantic cities in France

Behind each sommelier presenting a table bottle is a three-tier wine distribution system that guides luxury wine from the vineyard to the table that has deeply felt the rapid change of the past two years. The backbone of the restaurant and hospitality world, every leg of this chain has faced challenges ranging from COVID-19 closures to pricing; supply chain challenges; and a consideration of the role of diversity and inclusion in a space that has historically had high barriers to entry.

Enter Demeine Estates, an innovative fine wine company that sees these changes not as obstacles, but as a roadmap for building a better wine industry; the one they intend to lead.

“Fine wines continue to thrive due to a high quality blend and strong demand,” said Scott Diaz, senior vice president of global brand strategy and marketing. “While there are supply shortages in key premium categories like Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Champagne, Burgundy and Sauvignon Blanc, Demeine Estates is well positioned to meet consumer demand with a expansion of new wine partnerships.”

Founded in October 2020 as a marketing and sales agency for some of Napa’s most historic and exclusive wines, Demeine Estates has already added wines like Champagne Legras & Haas and Domaine de Montille to its import portfolio and continues to grow rapidly. With just over a year in business, they are recognized as leaders in sustainability, quality, and inclusivity (and they love and are extremely passionate about wine!). So how do you get a foothold in a tumultuous market? Let’s look at their journey.

It all starts with the wine. The roots were planted in 2018 when Nashville-based agricultural investor Gaylon Lawrence Jr purchased the Napa Heitz Cellar legacy and appointed master sommelier Carlton McCoy Jr to run it. Since then, Lawrence has incorporated three other historic properties into what is now called Lawrence Wine Estates (LWE): Stony Hill, Burgess and Haynes Vineyard. With 185 years of operation combined, these estates are benchmarks of Napa history and quality, but needed a renewed presence in a market that is showing renewed interest in classic-style domestic wine.

Under McCoy’s leadership, LWE also created two new independent brands: Ink Grade, a range of mountain wines from steeply sloping vineyards on the other side of Howell Mountain, and Brendel, a creative outlet for estate winemakers. aimed at bringing a new generation of consumers into the fold of high-quality, sustainably produced Napa wines.

Demeine Estates is responsible for spreading the word (and wine) of “New Napa” to the most important distributors in the country and to supplement the portfolio with import properties of equal prestige. The New Napa focuses on sustainability and the next generation of winemakers, hospitality experts and consumers, with a specific focus on quality and education. McCoy is the managing partner, and to lead the charge he has picked industrial might Philana Bouvier.

When Bouvier accepted the role of president, she became the first non-family female manager of a wine importer. When McCoy accepted the position of CEO of Heitz, he became Napa Valley’s first black cellar CEO. For McCoy and Bouvier, the most important thing about being the “first” is to ensure that it is followed by “many”.

Bouvier aimed to build a team based on talent, experience, aptitude and ambition. The resulting group is one of the most diverse (and female-led) in a pocket of the industry with many barriers to upward mobility. While other companies strive to retroactively increase diversity, Demeine Estates builds on it.

“Diversity is our DNA here at Demeine Estates. People come first in our organization, not company policy, and we’ve seen the results,” says Bouvier.

“Our sales and marketing teams are the best there are, not only because of their passion for winning, but also their ultimate respect for diverse perspectives. We believe in our employees and our partners, and we aim to ensure that our wine industry always accepts differences and celebrates culture from all walks of life.

The resulting team takes a fresh approach to a traditional space. Senior Vice President of Sales, Leila Pearson, leads a team of 10 across the country to land wines on the highest visibility lists through unparalleled distribution relationships. The measured size of the Demeine Estates portfolio allows full attention to be given to each brand, a rarity in a wine world that is gradually consolidating into fewer distributors and larger supplier portfolios.

Senior Vice President of Global Brand Strategy and Marketing Scott Diaz leads a three-person team responsible for accessing and creating new luxury wine consumers for “New Napa.” Alexa D’Acquisto, Senior Brand Manager, is an expert in brand creation and repositioning, and Shannon Pestoni, Brand Manager, co-founded, developed and sold Napa’s Jelly Jar Wines before joining the team. Audrey, Digital Marketing Specialist

Marek leverages social media and digital tools to create an unrivaled online footprint in a segment that often overlooks the power of virtual space.

The team is also keenly aware of its role in the wider wine industry, and that leadership cannot exist in a vacuum. In January 2022, they announced their Dream it, live it initiative, which serves to provide professional development opportunities specifically for women and people of color in the wine and hospitality industries that focus on entrepreneurship.

The goal is to create long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with program partners and foster a more inclusive wine and hospitality industry for all by providing access to growing businesses.

“Our progressive leadership builds trust and invites people, employees and partners, into the winery space who may not have felt like they belonged before,” says D’Acquisto. “In a relationship-based industry like ours, the results are valuable, meaningful connections that drive business while celebrating diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives.”

Their first partnership with Tish Wiggins of “Tish Around Town” resulted in the Celebration of Women in Wine trip, which takes place in Napa Valley from March 29 to April 2. With sponsorship from Demeine Estates, Tish, a wine educator, event curator, speaker and wine writer with a strong online and social media presence, will bring a group of 20 attendees to taste and learn with Heitz Cellar Director of Winemaking Brittany Sherwood, Burgess Winemaker Meghan Zobeck, Stony Hill Winemaker Jaimee Motley and Hospitality Manager Brendel Candace Keeton.

The Women in Wine Tour celebration will also highlight the new Heitz Cellars Tasting Lounge, a modern design and French laundry-inspired experience. Employing many hospitality professionals with Michelin star backgrounds, the space elevates the wine tasting and pairing experience beyond the vineyard while taking a root-to-glass approach. The tour’s emphasis on hospitality and luxury emphasizes the intertwined nature of good food, good wine and high quality.

“Attendees will enjoy a 3-course meal featuring the cuisine of award-winning chef Cindy Pawlcyn at the iconic Mustards Grill,” said Wiggins, who is a hospitality veteran and catering enthusiast.

Mustards Grill has been a Napa Valley staple for over 37 years, serving chef/owner Cindy Pawlcyn’s blend of regional American dishes fused with global influences. Favorites include the famous Mongolian pork chop with sweet and sour red cabbage; and house-herb marinated rabbit with Brussels sprout leaves, thyme-roasted parsnips and white-wine currants.

“We have strategically secured a boutique hotel in downtown Napa so attendees have access to some of the best dining and dining experiences Napa has to offer,” Wiggins continues. “Some of my favorites are Oentori and Charlie Palmer Steak, and I always like to end my evening at Cadet Wine + Beer Bar for drinks and late night bites.”

“I have a passion for creating fun and interactive ‘Sip, Socialize & Learn’ experiences. As a wine educator, my tours are different because each experience embodies my desire to create a fun experience that is also informative. and educational.”

So with all this momentum, what’s next for Demeine Estates? Grow their import portfolio through strong relationships with wineries that share their values ​​of sustainability, history and quality. Diaz, who served as senior vice president of marketing at a prestigious importer with a large portfolio for twelve years before joining Demeine Estates, aims to exploit the many historic vineyards, particularly in France and Italy, which are under- represented in the US market. . Once he gets the appointment, he says, it’s all up to Bouvier.

“You get Philana at the door, she makes the deal happen,” Diaz says.

From the start, Demeine Estates was built by agents of change; and therefore, they are uniquely able to adapt and influence an industry that continues to evolve. So if you’re wondering where good wine will be in 5 years, look no further than Demeine Estates.

© Visit France
| The Rhone village of Laudun is about to become the last French wine region to obtain its own appellation.

National Wine Day in the US began on Friday with much of the wine press busy focusing on the latest EU wine label decision while UK newspapers were busy telling readers that two glasses of commercially-made sparkling Moscato might be enough to hit an adult’s recommended daily sugar limit.

Residual sugar in popular commercial winemaking comes as no big surprise to those in the wine industry, but the alarming headlines were enough to get a few people excited on social media — and not without reason.

Also in the news at the end of the week was the revelation that Brad Pitt was suing his ex-partner Angelina Jolie for selling his share in their Provence wine estate, Miraval. Pitt says the couple had an agreement not to sell their share in the property without each other’s consent (Jolie sold her stake to a subsidiary of the Stoli liquor group run by Russian businessman Yuri Shefler) .

But aside from the label spats, sugar spats, and rosé spats, here are some of the wine-related stories you might have missed this week:

Laudun will become its own AOC

The Côtes du Rhône Villages Laudun title is expected to follow Rasteau and Cairanne and become its own appellation – Laudun AOP – likely by the 2023 vintage. The news emerged this week after officials from France’s national appellations body, the ‘INAO, presented their conclusions on the return in December (although the contents of the comments remain, so far, unknown) and following a vote by winemakers in the region earlier in the month.

The vote, which asked if Laudun winegrowers and winegrowers were willing to pursue the petition to become a full-fledged AOP/AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) – known in the region as the Côtes du Rhône “Cru” – was adopted by an overwhelming majority (88 votes against 7) ​​at the beginning of the month.

The next step will be a so-called “public inquiry” by the INAO in the three municipalities that make up the Laudun production area in order to establish the official production area (which will cover more than 1,000 hectares of land. The appellation is slated to officially debut in June this year, though the title likely won’t hit labels until 2023.

“It will be the conclusion of a great undertaking,” Luc Pélaquié, president of the Laudun winegrowers’ union, told the regional newspaper Midi Libre. “I salute the hard work and the spirit of the winegrowers who have worked for the future of local viticulture.”

The title Côtes du Rhône Villages Laudun encompasses the communes of Laudun, Saint-Victor-la-Coste and Tresques in the Gard department on the right (west) bank of the Rhône, north of Lirac and Tavel, and on the river of ( and northwest of) Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The Laudun vineyards currently cover approximately 560 hectares (1,400 acres).

Initially recognized in 1937 as one of the 28 towns in the Gard that can produce Côtes du Rhône wines, Laudun (as well as that of Chusclan to the north) was registered as an appellation with the INAO in 1953. even following a court decision in Uzès in 1947, where Pélaquié’s grandfather, Joseph, pleaded for Laudun.

However, the regional policy of the time saw the territory fall into the orbit of Côtes du Rhône Villages and Laudun became a title of Côtes du Rhône Villages in the mid-1960s.

The region is known to be one of the largest producers of white wines in the Villages. Laudun whites, mainly from Grenache Blanc and Clairette (although Viognier, Bourboulenc, Marsanne and Roussanne may also feature) account for around a quarter of all production in the region.

The reds are primarily blended from Grenache and Syrah, with the former being just proportionately larger in terms of overall vineyard plantings. Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault may also feature in minor proportions.

In total, the region produces just under two million liters of wine per year through 18 wine estates, six cooperative cellars and 18 trading operations. Over half of all Laudun production is sold at retail outlets in France while a quarter of production is exported (UK accounts for a third of all exports, China/Hong Kong, the United States, Belgium and Sweden being the other main markets).

The Entre-deux-Mers soon to be covered in red wines?

Adding to the INAO’s workload, Bordeaux’s famous Entre-Deux-Mers white wine appellation – a white wine-only appellation since 1937 – could soon cover red wines by 2023, if a petition from the local winegrowers is accepted.

According to French wine publication La Revue du Vin de France (RVF), the INAO began reviewing the region’s application earlier this month.

“If all goes well, we hope we will have the AOC [appellation title] for red wines before 2023,” David Labat, president of the Entre-deux-Mers winegrowers’ union, told the publication.

Currently, the red wines produced in the Entre-deux-Mers production region come under the Bordeaux or Bordeaux Supérieur appellations. Ironically, red wines represent 85% of the production of this region.

“There is a real commercial problem,” added Labat, who told RVF that the project to extend the appellation to red wines had been in the making for 20 years. However, the official process would not have been launched until 2019.

Prosecco booming in China

Prosecco’s seemingly relentless march to take over the world continues this week with news that the global popularity of Northern Italian bubbles continues to grow. According to food publication Italia a Tavola, Prosecco exports to the United States rose 43% in value last year, while exports to China nearly doubled to 117%.

Italian bubbles were generally up in Canada (23%), Switzerland (11%) and Japan (5%). According to the northern Italian daily, Il Gazzettino, overall exports of Italian wine to the United States increased by almost 13% in 2021.

The context of the statistics (which aligns with a global increase in champagne consumption, among other wine categories) is attributed to so-called “revenge spending” following the effects of the global pandemic. Piedmont and Tuscan DOC and DOCG red wines grew in the United States by just under a third and just over a quarter respectively, while Sicilian reds (another region showing strong exports) increased in Canada by more than 50%.

While praising the export successes of sparkling wines from northern Italy, Paolo Castelletti, the head of the Union of Italian Wines (Unione Italiana Vini), also exercised caution.

“…we will have to be careful of 2022, which shows signs of danger that should not be underestimated,” he said. “Starting with the high prices caused by the escalation of energy costs up to the attack on wine on the health front.

Burgundy exports exceed pre-Covid results

More Burgundy rebound as region reports record 2021 revenue of 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion) – a 28% increase from 2020 and 27% from compared to 2019. According to the French newspaper Le Figaro, the figures for 2021 “far exceed those before the [global health] crisis and have definitively erased the Covid effect”.

This will come as no surprise to industry players. The newspaper adds that over the past ten years, the turnover of Burgundy wines has effectively doubled.

“The reasons for these good results can be summed up as: the lifting of restrictions linked to the pandemic and the revival of the café, hotel and restaurant sector; the suspension of customs tariffs and the trade conflict between Europe and the United States; and finally, the ever-increasing appeal of Burgundy wines”, declared Albéric Bichot, President of the Federation of Burgundy Traders (FNEB).

Vega Sicilia watched Jerez before Rías Baixas

Here’s one for the alternative history books: In an interview with digital food publication 7 Canibales, Pablo Álvarez, the chef of Spain’s top winery, Vega Sicilia, said the company had considered going into the production of Sherry before embarking on his new project, Deiva, in the Rías Baixas of northwest Spain.

After admitting that, if Jerez was ignored, Albariño (the grape synonymous with Rías Baixas) was the best white wine in Spain, Álvarez was pushed onto the Jerez route.

“Jerez is Jerez – a great region, with unique wines that no one has managed to copy,” he said. “We were in negotiations with a wine estate with the aim of making our own wines and having our own vineyard, it would have been the ideal candidate, but in the end the owner did not want to sell and we could not get there. “

Vega Sicilia in Jerez? There is a thought…

And if that’s too melancholy for some, here’s a CGI rendering of Vega’s new winery in Rías Baixas:

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in Strasbourg backed amendments to a series of recommendations put forward by the Special Committee on Combating Cancer (BECA), which included a proposal for health warnings on wine and drink labels .

The BECA report, “Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer”, included several measures aimed at reducing harmful alcohol consumption by at least 10% by 2025.

Signed by the oncologist and French politician Véronique Trillet-Lenoir, it is part of a broader process aimed at tackling all cancer risk factors, improving cancer care and increasing cooperation and funding for relevant research across the European Union.

The initial report identified any form of alcohol consumption as a risk factor for a range of cancers and chronic diseases, alongside tobacco, poor diet, high body mass index, sedentary life and environmental pollution.

The request was based on a 2016 study published in Cancer Epidemiolwhich indicated that in Europe, it is estimated that 10% of all cancer cases in men and 3% in women are attributable to alcohol consumption.

With this week’s vote, however, MPs preferred an amendment to the report that backed the key distinction between ‘harmful’ alcohol consumption and abuse.

“We welcome the amended report which [was] officially adopted on February 16,” said Ignacio Sánchez Recarte, Secretary General of the European wine industry body CEEV.

He added: “The adopted text now establishes the fundamental distinction between harmful consumption and moderate consumption”.

MEPs also voted against the imposition of health warning labels similar to those currently affixed to cigarettes, in favor of messages encouraging moderate and responsible consumption.

“We have managed to get rid of the insane recommendation to put health warnings on wine bottles like we do with cigarette packets,” said Italian MPs Paolo de Castro, Herbert Dorfmann and Pina Picierno, three of the main signatories of successful amendments. .

“On the contrary, we call for more transparent labeling systems for alcoholic beverages, which provide consumers with information on moderate and responsible drinking,” they said in a joint statement.

The European Parliament has also rejected the theory that “there is no safe level” of alcohol consumption in cancer prevention.

“The assumption that there is ‘no level of safety’ was misleading and simplistic because it does not take into account drinking habits and other lifestyle factors; fortunately, the members of the European Parliament agreed to modify this reference,” said Recarte.

The argument came from the World Health Organization response has a 2018 article published in the leading medical academic journal The Lancet. and a later OMS report partially based on another 2020 Lancet study.

In line with the conclusions of the 2018 Lancet article, which show that “the safest level of alcohol consumption is zero”, the wording of the BECA report was changed to “the safest level of alcohol consumption sucks when it comes to cancer prevention.”

The three Italian MEPs who campaigned for the amendments added: “Last, but not least, we have ensured a more balanced approach to any future restrictions on sponsorship of sporting events by major producers of alcoholic beverages, limiting them to events attended by younger people.’

They said: “Thanks to the support of our amendments by the overwhelming majority of political groups, we will have a European plan against cancer that is not only ambitious but also able to take into account our traditions, cultural and culinary, without demonizing any sector. ‘

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ST. HELENA, California – February 17, 2022 – Chappellet vineyard announced today that Oscar Riveiro Woolsey has been named the winery’s new Director of Client Services. In this role, Riveiro Woolsey will lead Chappellet’s 15-person hospitality team and report directly to General Manager David Francke. As Director of Guest Services, Riveiro Woolsey will oversee all guest services at Chappellet, including its wine club, events program, concierge services and the winery’s famous tasting room on Pritchard. Hill.

Riveiro Woolsey, who was born in Spain, holds a degree in modern languages ​​from the University of Roehampton, London, and is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese, with conversation skills in French and in Italian. He also holds an associate’s degree in wine marketing and sales from Napa Valley College. He began his career as a section manager for the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey group in London, England, before becoming general manager of the Villa Virginia hotel in the Maipo Valley of Chile, where he developed a program of very successful strategic alliance with Concha. y Toro, and has organized luxury wine and food tours in the region. Following his passion for wine, Riveiro Woolsey moved to Napa Valley in 2007, where he brought his experience in luxury goods and hospitality to the wine industry as a hospitality manager for Ehlers Estate, Retail Sales Manager for Luna Vineyard and most recently as Direct to Consumer Manager for all PlumpJack Group wine operations.

In discussing his new role at Chappellet, Riveiro Woolsey cites his belief in the importance of building long-term relationships and developing unforgettable wine experiences that create a deeper connection to the heritage of over 50 years. from Chappellet on Pritchard Hill. “Chappellet is an institution,” said Riveiro Woolsey. “As a multi-generational family winery, Chappellet embodies everything I love about wine. The family is passionately committed to the environment and cares deeply about the land they have stewarded for over half a century. Because the land defines the greatest wines, it is their intimate connection with their famous Pritchard Hill vineyard that has established the wines of Chappellet as world references.

“The future of Chappellet, and wineries like ours, depends on building meaningful and lasting relationships with our customers,” said Managing Director David Francke. “It requires having a customer-centric culture that cultivates and values ​​those relationships. As with our viticulture and winemaking programs, we are always striving to evolve, improve and raise the bar to new heights. Oscar is an accomplished leader, strategic thinker and ambassador, with a wealth of experience in luxury goods, hospitality, events and fine wines. When I think of what Oscar will bring to our customer service program, I remember a quote from Vince Lombardi that Donn Chappellet loved. “Perfection is not attainable, but if we pursue perfection, we can catch excellence.”

About Chappellet

In 1967, on the advice of legendary winemaker André Tchelistcheff, the Chappellet family moved to the steep slopes of Pritchard Hill© and founded Chappellet, becoming Napa Valley’s second post-prohibition winery. As pioneers in planting vineyards at high altitudes, Chappellet has been recognized for crafting benchmark wines with an emphasis on mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, while establishing Pritchard Hill as one of the great wine regions of the world. In 2017, Chappellet celebrated its 50^and birthday as

A request has been filed to liquidate a long-established Auckland vineyard at Huapai near Kumeū.

Coopers Creek Vineyard on State Highway 16, a famous wine label and event venue, says it exports its products to
in the United States, Asia and Canada.

But a creditor is heading to court against this company.

Good Assets, whose offices are registered in the premises of a lawyer in Shortland St, has filed a request for a hearing against the winery which claims to produce fine wines and provide “40 years of quality and value”.

Good’s claim will be heard later this month in Auckland High Court, according to a public notice published today.

The winery says it has been “a true pioneer in New Zealand, introducing adventurous wine styles that have thrived in our soil and challenged our palates. Our multi-award winning Albarino is the embodiment of this innovative spirit” .

Its wines have been made from grapes grown in New Zealand’s best wine regions, he says.

“You will find our wines available worldwide, from London to Los Angeles, Toronto to Tokyo and many places in between.

Andrew and Cyndy Hendry own the vineyard. Attempts to speak to General Manager Andrew Hendry today were unsuccessful.

But Nick Farrands, a Morrison Kent lawyer who acts for the vineyard, said: “The business has suffered from temporary cash flow problems, largely due to pandemic-related issues. This created problems throughout the wine industry in general.

“However, the company is not insolvent. We are working with the plaintiff or owner to resolve the issues. Although there are disputes between the parties, we are confident that the issues will be resolved before the court appearance .”

Good Assets’ offices are Couch Harlowe Kovacevich on Shortland St and the plaintiff’s attorney is Aaron Harlowe of that firm.

The case is due to be heard in court on February 25.

A list of other creditors have security on the business, including Westpac.

Last decade the Herald reported how the property was for sale.

The property encompassing Coopers Creek Vineyard at 601 State Highway 16, Huapai in West Auckland, is for sale with a lease providing for the continued operation of the winery and vineyard by the current owners.

“Coopers Creek has been established for over 30 years and this 9.3ha site is home to its leading export wine brands,” says Dwayne Warby of Colliers International, which markets it before the private treaty closes on March 19. unless sold in advance over the counter.

“The wine company wants to stay on as a tenant to allow Coopers Creek to maintain its existing winery and vineyards and fund other projects,” Warby said.

“This will allow on-site activities to continue, including popular summer jazz concerts, tastings and cellar sales.”

The company produces a variety of wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Malbec, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Rosé.

Bottles of these varieties are listed for sale on its website for around $17-$19 each.

The Hendrys said they established the vineyard in 1980, when the New Zealand wine industry was small and relatively unknown.

Over the past four decades, it has transformed into a premier winery with a strong international presence, they said.

“He continues to innovate, especially with new styles of wine, introducing and introducing promising new grape varieties that are ideal for cool climate regions. Viognier, Albariño, Arneis, Marsanne and Montepulciano are new varieties for New Zealand, but heading for stardom. responds to a growing demand for these elegant varieties in addition to its long-standing pedigree with chardonnay, pinot, syrah and Bordeaux reds,” explains the vineyard.

Jazz concerts on summer Sundays have been held from the property for some time.

February 7 – Liquid Icons – the fine wine content research and production company founded by the late great Gstarrard Basset OBE MW MS and his friend Lewis Chester DipWSET – today announced the opening of the application window for The 2022 Taylor‘s Porto Golden Vines^® Diversity Scholarships. Candidates can apply online at: https://liquidicons.com/work/the-taylors-port-golden-vines-diversity-scholarships

42 applicants from 23 countries applied for the 2021 scholarships, which saw Angela Scott, USA and Dr Erna Blancquaert, South Africa win the award-winning scholarships. This year, an additional scholarship will be funded. The application window is open until Friday, April 8, 2022.

Taylor‘s Porto Golden Vines^® The Diversity Scholarship, Internship and Mentorship Program is for Black and minority ethnic students who wish to undertake the Master of Wine (MW) and Master Sommelier (MS) programs. – open to candidates from all over the world. These scholarships, worth up to £55,000 for each scholarship holder, will cover all of their course and examination costs, as well as the loss of earnings during their internships in companies.

The internship program includes a set of diverse work experiences with some of the countries of the world‘s best wineries and spirits distilleries: Bodega Catena Zapata, Castiglion del Bosco, ChaChateau Cheval Blanc, Chawater‘Yquem, Ch.aSmith-Haut-Lafitte, Lapostolle Clos Apalta, Caves Colgin, Dom PErignon, Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Domaine Baron Thénard, Domaine des Lambrays, Domaine Laroche, Klein Constantia, Lawrence Wine Estates (Heitz Cellars, Stony Hill Vineyard, Ink Grade Estate and Burgess Cellars), Liber Pater, Marchesi Antinori, Opus One, Ruinart, Symington Family Estates, Taylor‘s Port, Macallan Distillery, VilafontstarVina Vik, Weingut Egon Mago. Also, Amorim Cork, Annabel‘s Private Members Club, Kedge Wine School, Octavian Wine Vaults, OIV, UC Davis Department of Enology and Viticulture and WOW Wine School (Porto) will also offer academic courses or experience opportunities of work to the winners.

Adrian Bridge, Managing Director of Taylor‘s Port, added: “golden vines^® Fundraising program for the awards, launched in 2021 to honor the legacy of Gstarrard Basset, is a remarkable program with global reach. This shows how the wine industry can play an important leadership role in many areas, but particularly around diversity and inclusiveness. taylor‘s Port is a proud sponsor of Golden Vines^® The diversity scholarships that we are thrilled to see unite the entire global wine industry around this worthy cause.”

In addition to the 3x Taylor‘s Porto Golden Vines^® Scholarships, 4x golden vines^® Master of Wine & Master Sommelier Scholarships will also be awarded by the jury. The Master of Wine & Master Sommelier Scholarship Program is also for aspiring Black and Ethnic Minority Scholarships and is worth £12,500 each to cover their full course and examination fees for the Master of Wine or Master Sommelier programs.

Finally, the Wine Scholar Guild (WSG) will continue to sponsor 10 golden vines^® WSG Scholarships in 2022, awarded by the jury of students applying to the Taylor‘s Porto Golden Vines^® Diversity and Golden Vines^® Master of Wine & Master Sommelier scholarships.

The 2022 scholarship jury includes Angela Scott, the 2021 Taylor‘s Porto Golden Vines^® Diversity Scholarship Winner, Nina Basset FIH, Rajat Parr (Sandhi Wines), Clement Robert MS (The Birley Clubs / Annabel‘s) and, Chief Justice, Jancis Robinson OBE MW. The judges will also provide ongoing mentorship to The Golden Vines^® Diversity Scholars throughout their college journey.

Lewis Chester DipWSET, CEO of Liquid Icons, Honorary Chairman and Head of Fundraising at GstarThe rard Basset Foundation commented: “Following last year’s success‘s Golden Vines^® event, where we collected more than £1.2 million for the Foundation, we are able to offer 3x Taylor‘s Porto Golden Vines^® Diversity scholarships and 4x Master of Wine & Master Sommelier scholarships for the coming year. We are also happy to be able to continue to offer 10 Golden Vines^® WSG scholarships, all awarded by our expert jury. Nina Basset and I know how great Gstarrard would have been to see the efforts being made in his name to help change the face of the wine, spirits and hospitality industry by providing these incredible opportunities for people of color who want to reach the top of the industry.”

The Taylor Winners‘s Porto Golden Vines^® Diversity Fellowships will receive their awards at The 2022 golden vines^® AWARDS CEREMONY which will be held in Florence, Italy, from Friday October 14 to Monday October 17, 2022. During the ceremony, The Golden Vines^® Awards will be given to the world‘s top fine wine producers voted by leading members of the global fine wine industry in the Gstarrard Basset Global Fine Wine Report produced by Liquid Icons, with survey opening March 7, 2021.

About the Gérard Basset Foundation:

Set up to honor the legacy and memory of Gerard Basset OBE MW MS by addressing the wine, spirits and hospitality industries‘ the most pressing problems through education, training and mentoring, the Gérard Basset Foundation includes a multidisciplinary team of cutting-edge professionals: Lewis Chester DipWSET as Honorary Chairman and Head of Fundraising and Nina Basset FIH, Romanstar Basset, Ian Harris MBE DipWSET and Jancis Robinson OBE MW as Founding Trustees.

About Liquid Icons:

Liquid icons is a fine wine content research and production company founded by two friends to “do stuff in wine” – the late great Gérard Basset OBE MW MS and Lewis Chester DipWSET. We create first class original content and world research‘s finest fine wines and spirits. Our work encompasses filmmaking, industrial research, recognizing and celebrating excellence in wine and spirits, charitable and fundraising activities, and educational initiatives.