Select Page

Masters of Wine shortlisted for the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Awards 2020

Masters of Wine shortlisted for the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Awards 2020
The shortlist of writers and photographers for the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Awards 2020 has been announced, which includes Masters of Wine Tim Atkin MW, Lisa Granik MW, Richard Hemming MW, Anne Krebiehl MW and Jancis Robinson MW. Emma Symington MW was also among the panel of seven judges who read and reviewed over 700 submitted pieces of work before debating and agreeing the shortlist.

The awards ceremony will be held virtually this year and is set to take place on 9 September 2020.

Read more

Rosé trends webinar

Rosé trends webinar

With the continual rise in sales of rosé wine, it is a fast growing and exciting category, but much of the focus is on the cheaper end of the market with swimming pool and celebrity marketing campaigns dominating the scene. For this webinar I chose not to look at the market trends, nor the alternative, more ‘funky’ producers, but to five producers who have a big impact on the latest trends in mainstream production.

Gerard Bertrand in the Languedoc, has both his own domaines and a negociant business. His numerous rosés ve a major share of the market, ranging from entry level supermarket rosé to the most expensive rosé Clos du Temple. Bruno Mailliard works with Chateau la Gordonne in Pierrefeu-Provence and Domaine Royal de Jarras in the Camargue – both owned by Champagne Vranken Pommery, discussed developing the quality, a greater focus for premium rosés to reflect their terroir. Rosana Oliva, responsible for the flagship rosé of Ramon Bilbao in Rioja, ‘Lalomba’, gave a detailed account of the work she has done on site selection, altitude, climate and fermentation vessels. Dimitris Skouras of Domaine Skouras echoed her work with their Peplo rosé, grown at altitude with a blend of grapes and different fermentation vessels, a radically different approach to the majority of Greek rosé. Nathalie Estribeau, the chief winemaker at Les Vignerons de Foncalieu, a co-operative in the Languedoc discussed how she makes a successful range of different rosés, from entry to mid market level, through varieties and vinification.

For all, the emphasis continued to be with a lighter colour rosé but with a growing emphasis on terroir and ageing potential. Trends for higher quality rosé pointed to organic and biodynamic and greater work in the vineyard, lower yields, altitude and specific terroirs, and exploration in fermentation techniques from amphora, acacia barrels, oak, cement tanks and classic tank.

Elizabeth Gabay MW

Wine Unify launches initiatives to increase and celebrate diversity in the wine industry

Wine Unify launches initiatives to increase and celebrate diversity in the wine industry

Mary Margaret McCamic MW, DLynn Proctor and Martin Reyes MW have launched Wine Unify, a platform that champions diversity and inclusion for underrepresented minorities in the wine industry,

Armed with three initiatives – to welcome, to elevate, and to amplify underrepresented minorities – Wine Unify seeks to create more visibility and opportunity for people of colour.

Outreach, access and funding for wine education are pillars within the mission. In addition, Wine Unify seeks to create an environment with inspiring, inclusive content highlighting the breadth of minority talent in the wine industry.

Wine Unify is made up of a team of industry leaders who serve as mentors, ambassadors, or advisory board members. The current roster of leaders involved includes Gary Obligacion (Post Ranch Inn), Tonya Pitts (One Market), Alicia Towns Franken (Towns Franken Consulting), Anna-Christina Cabrales (Morrell Wine Bar), Priyanka French (Signorello Estate), Lucy Anderle (Mayacamas Vineyards), Julia Coney (Black Wine Professionals), Annette Alvarez-Peters (Costco AVP, retired), Andre Mack (Maison Noir Wines), Yashodhan ‘Billo’ Naravane MW (Rasa Vineyards), and Jessica Trujillo (JONATA & The Hilt).

With the assistance of sponsors, including Napa Valley Wine Academy, Wine.com, Coravin, and JancisRobinson.com, among others, Wine Unify is able to offer a variety of education-based awards for aspiring and existing minority wine professionals. Details and requirements to apply for these awards can be found on the website at www.wineunify.org.

For more information contact:
Martin R. Reyes MW, Mary Margaret McCamic MW, DLynn Proctor
Co-Founders
Wine Unify
707.947.3144
P.O. Box 2554, Napa, CA, 94558
hello@wineunify.org
www.wineunify.org

Sonal Holland Wine Academy launches 60 Minute Wine Pro

Sonal Holland Wine Academy launches 60 Minute Wine Pro

Sonal Holland Wine Academy has launched 60 Minute Wine Pro, an online introductory certificate course to the world of wine. The course is designed and delivered by Sonal Holland MW and anticipates the need of India’s F&B industry, which has grown not just within urban cities, but beyond these centres into II and III tier cities and remote getaways, where access to quality, affordable and accessible wine education is lacking.

Read more