Category: champagne region

The Return of Pink Chardonnay: A Lost Heir Rejoins Champagne’s Noble Lineage

Pink Chardonnay, officially recognized in the Champagne appellation since July 31, 2025, marks a historic return of a nearly forgotten grape variety to its rightful place in the region’s viticultural legacy. A natural mutation of white Chardonnay, this rediscovered gem becomes the eighth authorized grape variety in Champagne, joining the traditional seven and reflecting both heritage preservation and forward-thinking adaptation to climate change.

A Return to Heritage

First identified in the early 1900s in both Champagne and Burgundy, Pink Chardonnay [also known as Chardonnay rose] had long lingered in obscurity. Sustained only by the dedication of a few visionary growers, it was largely confined to experimental collections or isolated vineyard rows. Its inclusion in the French National Catalogue in 2018 conferred official recognition, enabling its propagation and preservation as part of France’s viticultural biodiversity.

Official Recognition and Symbolic Significance

The decision to include Pink Chardonnay in the Champagne appellation’s official specifications symbolizes a renewed commitment to genetic diversity and historical authenticity. Pink Chardonnay is a spontaneous natural mutation, proof that innovation in viticulture can arise organically from nature itself. This recognition not only restores a piece of Champagne’s past but also reflects the region’s intelligence in adapting to new environmental realities.

Viticultural and Oenological Qualities

In both the vineyard and the cellar, Pink Chardonnay closely mirrors its white counterpart. Its agronomic behaviour and oenological performance demonstrate similar freshness, balance, and finesse, qualities that have long defined the elegance of Champagne wines. Yet, beyond its technical attributes, the grape’s deeper value lies in its narrative: a story of rediscovery, resilience, and the enduring dialogue between tradition and innovation.

Diversity Within Continuity

While Pinot Noir, Meunier, and white Chardonnay continue to dominate Champagne’s 34,000 hectares of vines, minority varieties, including Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and now Pink Chardonnay, account for only 0.5% of total plantings. Their preservation reinforces Champagne’s identity as a living, evolving ecosystem, one that values both its cultural roots and its scientific capacity for renewal.

Learn more at www.champagne.fr

European Wine Tourism Index 2025: Ranking Europe’s Leading Wine Destinations

Wine tourism represents one of the fastest-growing segments of global cultural and experiential travel. According to a recent survey by TUI Musement, more than 91% of respondents expressed interest in wine-related travel, with the highest engagement among travellers aged 18 to 44. Responding to this demand, and coinciding with Europe’s harvest season, TUI Musement has introduced the inaugural “European Wine Tourism Index 2025,” the first data-driven ranking of Europe’s most attractive destinations for wine tourism.

Unlike perception-based surveys, the Index employs quantitative data and official registries to assess both viticultural heritage and tourism potential. By combining traditional measures of production with indicators of cultural recognition and international prestige, the Index provides a comparative framework for understanding the evolving dynamics of Europe’s wine tourism map.

Methodology

The Index evaluates European Union member states (with a minimum vineyard area of 500 hectares) across five weighted categories:

Vineyard surface area (20%)

Vineyard land dedicated to PDO and PGI wines (30%)

Number of registered PDO/PGI wines (20%)

Total wine production volume (10%)

International awards received (20%)

Data sources include Eurostat, the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), official EU registries, and the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025. Scores were calculated using a weighted average, providing an objective reflection of both wine heritage and global recognition.

The Results – Europe’s Top 10 Wine-Producing Countries

  1. France (Score: 85.2/100)

France secures first place with unparalleled prestige, the highest number of international awards, and a vast network of PDO regions.

Key regions: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne

Highlights: Bordeaux’s château tours, Burgundy’s 1,000+ climats (vineyard plots) inscribed by UNESCO, Champagne’s historic underground cellars.

Experiences: Private vintage tastings, vineyard drives through Bordeaux in classic cars, cellar tours beneath Épernay’s Avenue de Champagne.

  1. Italy

Italy ranks second as Europe’s largest wine producer and the continent’s leader in PDO/PGI registrations.

Key regions: Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto

Highlights: Tuscany’s Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino; Piedmont’s UNESCO-listed Langhe-Roero vineyards; Veneto’s iconic Prosecco hills.

Experiences: Chianti tasting with artisanal oils and balsamic vinegar, Prosecco tours in Veneto, vineyard walks in Monferrato.

  1. Spain

Spain, home to the largest vineyard area in Europe (909,367 hectares), ranks third, with 97% dedicated to PDO/PGI wines.

Key regions: La Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Rías Baixas, Jerez

Highlights: Ribera del Duero’s bold reds, volcanic viticulture in Lanzarote’s La Geria, and cava production in Penedès.

Experiences: La Rioja winery tours, sherry tasting in Jerez, vineyard hikes across volcanic landscapes.

  1. Portugal

Portugal earns fourth place through its internationally awarded wines and unique terroirs.

Key regions: Douro Valley, Alentejo, Vinho Verde

Highlights: UNESCO-listed Douro terraces, Alentejo’s bold red wines, crisp whites of Vinho Verde.

Experiences: River cruises with quinta tastings, traditional Algarve wine trails, and immersive tours of fortified Port cellars.

  1. Greece

Greece combines millennia-old heritage with an extraordinary diversity of indigenous grape varieties.

Key regions: Macedonia, Peloponnese, Santorini

Highlights: Assyrtiko from Santorini’s volcanic soils, Agiorgitiko from Nemea, and Xinómavro from northern Macedonia.

Experiences: Sunset tastings in Santorini, Peloponnesian winery tours, Crete’s wine-and-food pairings.

  1. Germany

Germany places sixth, globally celebrated for its Rieslings and scenic river-valley vineyards.

Key regions: Mosel, Rheingau, Pfalz

Highlights: Steep Mosel slopes, Rheingau’s historic Spätlese birthplace, Palatinate’s iconic Bad Dürkheim wine barrel.

Experiences: Vineyard cycling tours, river cruises with Riesling tastings, heritage wine festivals.

  1. Romania

Romania ranks seventh, drawing on deep winemaking traditions dating to antiquity.

Key regions: Transylvania, Muntenia (Dealu Mare), Dobrogea

Highlights: Fetească varietals of Transylvania, powerful reds from Dealu Mare (“Romania’s Tuscany”), and sweet wines from Dobrogea.

Experiences: Castle-linked vineyard visits, Black Sea coastal tastings, immersive food-and-wine tours from Bucharest.

  1. Hungary

Hungary, in eighth place, is synonymous with sweet wines of global renown and increasingly recognized reds.

Key regions: Tokaj, Eger, Villány

Highlights: Tokaji Aszú (UNESCO World Heritage), Eger’s “Bull’s Blood” (Bikavér), Villány’s full-bodied reds.

Experiences: Cellar visits in Tokaj, historic vineyard tours, and urban wine tastings in Budapest.

  1. Austria

Austria’s 46,000 hectares of PDO vineyards demonstrate exceptional quality control.

Key regions: Wachau Valley, Burgenland, Vienna

Highlights: Wachau’s UNESCO terraced landscapes, Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, and Vienna as Europe’s only capital city with significant vineyards.

Experiences: Danube wine cruises, half-day vineyard tours from Vienna, Burgenland’s botrytized dessert wines.

  1. Bulgaria

Bulgaria completes the top 10 with a wine history dating to ancient Thrace.

Key regions: Thracian Valley, Struma Valley, Danube Plain

Highlights: Mavrud-based reds, Mediterranean-influenced wines of Struma, and fresh Danubian whites.

Experiences: Vineyard tours of Nessebar, tastings in the Thracian Valley, and Black Sea wine routes.

The inaugural European Wine Tourism Index 2025 reaffirms Europe’s enduring role as the global centre of wine tourism. While traditional powers such as France, Italy, and Spain remain dominant, the emergence of destinations like Romania, Hungary, Austria, and Bulgaria signals an expanding and diversifying wine tourism map.

This Index provides both travellers and industry stakeholders with an authoritative framework for understanding Europe’s viticultural landscape, linking heritage with tourism potential, and mapping future opportunities for sustainable growth.

Emirates Elevates Luxury Inflight Experience with Dom Pérignon Rosé  Champagne in First Class

Emirates has further strengthened its reputation for offering one of the world’s most exclusive inflight wine and champagne selections by introducing Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage 2009 to its first-class menu. This distinguished cuvée will be available for a limited time across all Emirates routes departing from Dubai.

The airline maintains exclusive global rights to serve Dom Pérignon Champagne onboard, including the Dom Pérignon Vintage 2015 and the Dom Pérignon Plénitude 2 2006, which already feature prominently on its first class offering.

Emirates has invested more than USD 1 billion into its wine program over the past 16 years, with its dedicated wine cellar in France currently holding a remarkable 6.5 million bottles. This long-term commitment underscores the carrier’s dedication to curating a refined and unparalleled gastronomic experience in the skies.

Dom Pérignon Rosé 2009

Dom Pérignon Rosé 2009 is crafted with a higher proportion of Pinot Noir than its classic counterpart, is renowned for its intense color, bold structure, and layered complexity. Emirates describes it as embodying the richness of a “generous growing season,” with tasting notes highlighting a bouquet of rose petals, orange oil, and saffron, followed by vibrant flavors of raspberry, cherry, cassis, and fig, deepened by undertones of liquorice and gingerbread.

By adding this celebrated vintage to its portfolio, Emirates reinforces its position as a leader in luxury air travel, where fine wine and Champagne form an integral part of the passenger experience.

Carol Duval-Leroy Named Officer of the Legion of Honour for Her Pioneering Role in Champagne

In a momentous acknowledgment of her exceptional contributions to viticulture and French cultural heritage, Carol Duval-Leroy, President of Maison Duval-Leroy, has been named Officer of the Legion of Honour, one of France’s highest civilian accolades.

This prestigious distinction not only honours her unwavering dedication to the Champagne region but also recognizes over three decades of exemplary leadership, innovation, and advocacy within the global wine industry. Under her stewardship, Maison Duval-Leroy has become a paragon of quality and sustainability, balancing tradition with progressive viticultural practices.

Carol Duval-Leroy’s accolade is a powerful testament to her role as a trailblazer, championing excellence, empowering women in wine, and preserving the cultural legacy of Champagne for future generations.

Her journey continues to inspire both industry peers and aspiring professionals around the world.

France Reigns Supreme at the 2025 Decanter Awards, Redefining the Benchmark for World-Class Wine

The results of the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards, announced last week, reaffirmed France’s preeminent position in the global wine hierarchy. In this year’s competition, France secured an extraordinary 3,200 medals, a remarkable 1,000 more than its closest rival, alongside 14 Best in Show accolades. Notably, the category of Champagne emerged with 27 honours.

Italy, another powerhouse of the wine world, earned 2,204 medals, including six Best in Show distinctions, marking an improvement of 31 top-tier honours compared to its performance in 2024. Meanwhile, Spain amassed 2,025 medals and five Best in Show wins, with its Rioja region gaining special attention. Garnering three Platinum medals and 21 Gold medals, Rioja shines as an ideal destination for wine lovers, a hidden gem for those seeking to explore the richness of Spanish winemaking beyond the bustling tourist centers of Andalusia and Catalonia.

The remainder of the top ten medal-winning nations included Australia, Portugal, South Africa, Argentina, Croatia, Canada, and Chile, a testament to the growing diversity and global reach of the wine industry.

In 2025, the Decanter World Wine Awards once again illuminate the evolving landscape of fine wine, reaffirming France as a timeless beacon of excellence and craftsmanship for wine lovers, connoisseurs and collectors.

For further details: https://tinyurl.com/4smsvh7u