News Archives

Pinot Noir resurgence in Alsace with two AOC’s

Pinot Noir can now be included as part of the AOC Alsace Grand Crus in two territories which has been a long-awaited move for a grape variety that has perhaps been overlooked in the region.

France’s appellation body, the National Institute of origin and quality (INAO) had formally approved the addition of Pinot Noir to the list of varieties that are permitted in Grand Cru Kirchberg de Barr (Barr, Bas-Rhin) and Grand Cru Hengst (Wintzenheim, Haut-Rhin). The move officially ratifies Pinot Noir Grand Crus from these two prestigious terroirs for the 2022 vintage.

The amendment noted that vines intended for the production of red wines in Alsace grand cru Hengst should have a density minimum plantation of 5,500 vines per hectare, with vines in Alsace grand cru Kirchberg de Barr having a minimum planting density of 5,000 vines per hectare and an average maximum yield of 7,000 kg per hectare.

Twenty years ago, Pinot Noir represented 8.5% of Alsace’s total vineyard area. Today, that figure has risen to 11%. The changes mean that Hengst and Kirchberg de Barr are now currently the only AOC Alsace Grand Cru reserved for white wines and still reds, with the first to be released from the 2022 vintage.

According to some producers, getting to this point has been a twenty-year journey, and marks the renaissance of the variety in the region – which has grown from around 8% of hectarage under vine to 11% now – as well as recognition of the work carried out by existing producers of these wines.

The new rules means that these two AOCs can produce both white wines and still reds, the CIVA hopes that this will be expanded to include other AOC Grand Crus in the region over the next few years. Currently, there are 51 AOC Alsace Grand Crus, 49 of which can make Grand Cru wines from just five grape varieties (Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Gris and Riesling, and Sylvaner, which was also added by the INAO in May).

#pinotnoir #grandcrus #alsacewine #alsacevineywards #vineyards #winenews #frenchwine #madeinfrance #vin #wine #redwine #winelover #winesoffrance #drinkalsace #MillésimesAlsace

Welcome Event: Michelangelo International Wine + Spirits Competition, South Africa

On Sunday evening, invited international judges attended a “Welcome Party” to kick off the 26th Michelangelo International Wine + Spirits Competition at the beautiful Lourensford Wine Estate, South Africa.

This year’s Michelangelo judges line-up include: Otto Batzer, Austria; Georgi Mihov, Bulgaria; Liz Palmer, Dame Chevalier de Coteaux de Champagne from Canada; Karel Novotný, Czech Republic; Thomas Rydberg, Denmark; Charlie Arturaola, France; Moshe Cohen, Israel; Michele Shah, Italy; Chris Alblas, importer of organic and biodynamic wines in Europe, from Netherlands; Wojciech Gogolinski, Poland; Achim Dörr, Germany, Nuno Jorge, Portugal; Heidi Duminy, Wilhelm Pienaar, Greg Mutambe and Cape Wine Master Elsie Pells from South Africa; Andrej Ondrejmiska, Slovakia; Dr Marin Berovic (OIV Commissioner and Chairman of European Wine Competitions from Slovenia); Jesús Bernad Dueñas, Spain; Per Karlsson, Sweden; Richard Phister, Switzerland; Serhat Narsap, Laura Clay (IWC Senior judge) and Geoffrey Dean from the UK.

The 2022 Distilled Spirits panel include:

Bernard Schaefer, professional spirits taster and Master of the Quaich from Germany;
René van Hoven, spirits and Rum specialist from the Netherlands;
Johan Venter, former Master distiller and blender, South Africa;
Ivan Dixon, drinks consultant and spirits buyer, United Kingdom
Arthur Nägele, international spirits judge and trainer, Switzerland

“It is such a thrill to have a full team of international drinks experts serving on the judging panels again this year,” says founder and organizer of the competition, Lorraine Immelman. “25 of our judges have been sourced from other international competitions in Europe and the USA, based on their experience and standing in the industry.

#Lourensford #LoveLourensford #wine #winelovers #winetasting #winejudge #winecompetition #winejudging #internationalwinejudges #winelover #travelling #winetravel #womeninwine #wineexperience #winetravels #vineyards #wineinfluencer #wineadventures #traveldiary #traveling #winesofSouthafrica #southafricawines #WOSA

Wine News: Bollinger Group acquires Sancerre estate Hubert Brochard

The Bollinger Group, in addition to five other estates in France and the US, has recently acquired the Sancerre historic estate, Hubert Brochard.

The acquisition aligns with the Bollinger Group’s strategy to offer its customers and consumers a portfolio of top-quality wines and spirits.

The estate is comprised of 60ha of vineyards spread over the premier hills in the Sancerre appellation, which includes the villages of Chavignol, Ménétréol-sous-Sancerre, Thauvenay, Sainte-Gemme and Sancerre, as well as vineyards in Pouilly-Fumé.

Etienne Bizot, president and CEO states: “The Bollinger Group has 50 years of history in the Loire region where it acquired Maison Langlois Chateau in 1973. We have already made investments in the region, in the vineyards, the wine making process and in the distribution of its fine wines.” and

“The acquisition of Hubert Brochard estate represents an opportunity to consolidate our footprint in this region and to continue to promote, in France and internationally, its savoir-faire and the quality of its wines.”

The estate sits in a region renowned for its Sauvignon Blanc, comprising 60 hectares of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, farmed with a respect for the environment.

Daniel Brochard, president of Hubert Borchard Estate, added: “The hand-over to our partner Bollinger Group will ensure the continuity of this journey fueled by the same values of entrepreneurship, family spirit, and obsession for quality.”

The Bollinger Group also owns Champagne Bollinger and Champagne Ayala, and the group also controls an increasingly diverse portfolio of wines and spirits, including Delamain Cognac and Ponzi Vineyards in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

@Hubert_Brochard @Champagne_Bollinger @Champagne_Ayala

#vin #wine #HubertBrochard #sancerre #DomaineHubertBrochard #winenews #winelover #sancerrelovers #frenchwine #winebusiness

Oregon Welcomes its 23rd AVA “Mount Pisgah, Polk County – Oregon”

Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon, the newest appellation in Oregon and nested American Viticultural Area (AVA) in the Willamette Valley, has received federal recognition as an official AVA. Drawn to reflect distinct soil, topography and climate attributes.

This new AVA becomes the 23rd federally recognized winegrowing region in Oregon and the 11th nested AVA within the Willamette Valley. The new nested AVA was granted approval by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) on June 3, 2022 ,and takes effect on July 5, 2022.

Located in Polk County, the Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon AVA is characterized by the warmth of the nearby Willamette River, the mild influence of the Van Duzer winds, and the rain shadow of Laurel Mountain to the west. It is the Valley’s second smallest AVA at 584 planted acres but one of its most densely planted. Mount Pisgah was formed 65 million years ago as a sea floor volcano and has since been covered by marine sediment which pushed up out of the ocean. This unique geology allows the grapes to develop a deep complexity in the region’s shallow soils.

Brad Ford, of Illahe Vineyards petitioned the TTB five years ago for the addition of the AVA to the wine country map. Ten vineyards and three wineries join the new Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon AVA.

“Thanks to an excellent group of growers who helped identify the most important aspects of our little mountain, I have no doubt we will continue to work together to build a beautiful destination for people willing to go the extra mile,” said Ford.

“Recognition of Mount Pisgah, Polk County, shows again how we continue to learn about, and appreciate, new areas of viticultural distinction in Oregon. Each one adds its own chapter to Oregon’s story of unique soils, unmatched geology, topography and globally recognized wine quality” said Oregon Wine Board President Tom Danowski. “These federal AVA designations take years to achieve as the standards are rigorous for establishing a region as clearly differentiated.”

“We’re so excited to see Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon AVA recognized in the larger story of the Willamette Valley,” said Morgen McLaughlin, executive director of the Willamette Valley.

Details of Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon AVA

Official date of recognition: June 3, 2022

Final rule is effective: July 5, 2022

Total acreage: 5,530

Planted acreage: 584

Number of wineries: 3

Number of vineyards: 10

Varieties: Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Pinot gris,
Tempranillo and Pinot blanc

Soil: Marine Sedimentary

Wineries

Illahe Vineyards

Open Claim Vineyards

Amelie Robert Estate

Vineyards Include

Illahe Vineyards

Ash Creek Vineyards

Open Claim Vineyards

Erratic Oaks Vineyard

Freedom Hill Vineyard

Croft Vineyards

Fern Creek

Amelie Robert Estate

Mistletoe Vineyards

Cooper Hollow

#ORwine #OregonWine #wine #winetime #winelover #winery #Oregon #WinesofOregon #winesofinstagram #winetasting #oregonwinecountry #TravelOregon #USwine @oregonwineboard

Hermitage Launches Online Charity Wine Auction

Hermitage, the Rhône Valley wine appellation has launched its online wine auction, which is now open for bidding until Tuesday, June 21- 4 pm via the fine wine auction marketplace Bid For Wine https://www.bidforwine.co.uk/legendary-hermitage.

The lots available to bid on have been donated by Hermitage winemakers with some unique vintages for wine lovers and collectors.

The Centre Médical de La Teppe (France) and The Epilepsy Society (UK) are the two charities that have been chosen for the auction, with all proceeds being donated equally between the two.

Hermitage is also hosting their ‘Legendary Hermitage’ event at the Four Seasons Hotel, London, at Ten Trinity Square on Monday June 20th. The event is hosted by several of the Hermitage winemakers which includes a tasting of the prestigious cuvées available on the UK market, and a gastronomic dinner curated by award-winning chef, Anne-Sophie Pic. Chef Pic is the most decorated female chef in the world, with eight Michelin stars to her name.

Michel Chapoutier, president of the Hermitage appellation, said: “Our Legendary Hermitage event is an opportunity to share our wines with the UK wine trade, and along with our online charity wine auction, we are also helping out some charities which are important to our winemakers. We can’t wait to meet everyone and allow them to taste some exciting wines, some of which they won’t have tasted before.”

The auction lots include:

Lot 1 – Maison Les Alexandrins 2020, White – 6 bottles

Lot 2 – Christelle Betton, Arpège 2004-2011-2019, White (3 bottles)

Lot 3 – Maison M.Chapoutier, Vin de Paille 1999, Magnum

Lot 4 – Maison M.Chapoutier, Pavillon 2007, Red, Magnum

Lot 5 – Maison M.Chapoutier, De l’Orée 2007, White, Mathusalem

Lot 6 – Maison Jean-Louis Chave, Red 2015, Jeroboam

Lot 7 – Delas Frères, Domaine des Tourettes 2015, White, Jeroboam

Lot 8 – Ferraton Père & Fils – 6 bottles

Les Miaux 1998, White (2 bottles)

Les Dionnières 2001, Red (2 bottles)

Le Méal 2001, Red (2 bottles)

Lot 9- Ferraton Père & Fils – 6 bottles

Les Miaux 1998, White (2 bottles)

Les Dionnières 2001, Red (2 bottles)

Le Méal 2001, Red (2 bottles)

Lot 10 – Maison Guigal – 6 bottles

Ex-Voto 2012, Red (3 bottles)

Ex-Voto 2012, White (3 bottles)

Lot 11 – Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné, La Chapelle 2006, Red, Jeroboam

Lot 12 – Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné, La Chapelle 1982-1985-2009-2012-2015-2016, Red (6 bottles)

Lot 13 – Domaine des Martinelles – 6 magnums

Domaine des Martinelles 2013, Red, Magnum (2 magnums)

Domaine des Martinelles 2015, Red, Magnum (2 magnums)

Domaine des Martinelles 2020, White, Magnum (2 magnums)

Lot 14 – Gabriel Meffre, Laurus 2015, Red – 3 bottles

Lot 15 – Domaine Marc Sorrel, Le Gréal 2018, Red – 3 bottles

Lot 16 – Cave de Tain, Gambert de Loche 2015, Red, Jeroboam

Lot 17 – Maison Tardieu-Laurent 2006, White – 6 bottles

Lot 18 – Maison Tardieu-Laurent 2005, Red – 6 bottles

Lot 19 – Les Vins de Vienne, La Bachole 2010, White – 2 bottles

Lot 20 – Les Vins de Vienne, Les Chirats de Saint-Christophe 2009, Red – 2 bottles

#rhonevalley #hermitage #bidforwine #AnneSophiePic #rhonewine #wineauction #wine #redwine #whitewine #winelovers #winecollectors #wineinvestors #wineandfood #womeninfood #womeninwine #Michelinstarred #Michelin #chef #RhoneValleyWines