Wine Business Monthly’s Wine Industry Leaders of 2024

Wine Business Monthly’s 2024 Wine Industry Leaders list was just announced! It serves as a valuable guide to the visionaries shaping the current and future landscape of the wine industry. Recognizing those who drive innovation, sustainability, and economic resilience, this annual compilation includes leaders who stand out in their commitment to advancing the wine sector through strategic foresight and adaptability in the face of evolving market demands. The 2024 selection reflects a cross-section of influential figures, from pioneering winemakers and business executives to sustainability advocates and digital strategists, each making significant contributions to both the trade and broader cultural appreciation of wine.

By highlighting these individuals, Wine Business Monthly not only celebrates success but also inspires continuous growth and evolution across the industry.

Here is the full list: https://www.winebusiness.com/wbm/article/293943

Source: Wine Business Monthly

Exploring Switzerland’s Most Unique Vineyard Stays

As the harvest season approaches, Switzerland’s Grape Escapes program uncorks a selection of over sixty exceptional and unique accommodations. These range from boutique châteaux to rustic vigneron cottages, and from avant-garde “birdboxes” to transparent “bubble” retreats – all offering an all-inclusive oenophile’s paradise. The common thread? Each stay is deeply rooted in viticulture and terroir.

This initiative, a collaborative effort between Swiss Wine Promotion and Switzerland Tourism, invites connoisseurs to immerse themselves in Swiss wine culture through curated experiences set against a backdrop of stunning viticultural landscapes. Each accommodation is strategically positioned either amidst the vines or offering panoramic views of the vineyards.

From historic vineyard domaines like La Capite in the Lavaux AOC of Vaud, to innovative lodgings such as the oak barrel suite at Chalet Diognysos or the transparent Bubble Hotel in the emerging Thurgau wine region, to a modernist Birdbox nestled in the steep slopes of Ticino, each destination promises not just repose, but a deep dive into the world of Swiss wines.

Here are six one-of-a-kind places to sleep among Swiss vineyards:

La Capite – Cully, Vaud: The small vineyard cottage La Capite in Cully used to serve winegrowers as a place to relax after hard work. Nowadays, during the late summer months, this charming cottage amidst the Lavaux vineyards in the Vaud region can be rented for overnight stays. There is no running water, electricity or heating – as these amenities are available in the nearby family home, which is just a few steps away. Inside La Capite, guests will find antique furniture, creaky wooden floors, and unbeatable views of Lake Geneva.

Chalet Diognysos – Crans-Montana – Valais: Spending the night in a wooden barrel might not be for everyone, but those who can handle being surrounded by thick oak planks should try an overnight stay in “Le Coup de Foudre” barrel at Chalet Diognysos – a wine barrel – at Chalet Diognysos. In winter, the barrel serves as a fondue and raclette room, while in summer it is transformed into a cozy room with a double bed and romantic lighting. It is located in the vineyards of Diogne, below Crans Montana, and offers a magnificent view of the Valais Alps, which is best enjoyed over a homemade breakfast on the panoramic terrace.

Birdbox Curzútt – Monte Carasso, Ticino: The Birdbox Curzútt is not a small birdhouse but a stylish, fully equipped accommodation that invites visitors to snooze in seclusion. The Birdbox is located above Bellinzona and is best reached by cable car. It has large windows with views of St. Barnard’s Church, the surrounding vineyards, and nature. A furnished terrace invites guests to enjoy a romantic aperitif, and a delicious dinner can be savored at the Ristorante Ostello Curzútt, just a few steps away.

Bubble Hotel – Kartause Ittingen, Thurgau: Visitors who book a night at the “Bubble Hotel” in Thurgau should hope for clear skies, as it allows for stargazing directly from the bed. Even during the day, this exclusive accommodation is a real eye-catcher. The transparent bubble tent is nestled in nature and offers views of the vineyards and the Thur River. The stay includes breakfast and an e-bike per person, inviting exploration of the picturesque wine regions and hikes through the beautiful surroundings.

Boutique Boatel Attila – Jura & Three-Lakes Region: A trip on Switzerland’s only floating hotel is the perfect way to discover the vineyards around the Three-Lakes Region. Guests can relax in one of the nine double cabins or in the Captain’s Lounge of the boutique boatel (boat-hotel) Attila as they travel along the longest navigable waterway in Switzerland, passing through Lake Biel, Lake Murten, and Lake Neuchâtel. Along the way, the former cargo ship stops for wine tastings with local wine merchant, excursions into the wine region, and dinners at select restaurants… and if you are in the mood for a refreshing swim, it’s just a step away from your bed.

Domaine Château du Crest – Jussy, Geneva: The Domaine Château du Crest, owned by the Micheli family since 1637, is located on the edge of the Geneva countryside in Jussy, surrounded by vineyards and just 15 minutes from the city centre of Geneva. The estate offers six rooms in a rural-chic style, just a few steps from the legendary Château Du Crest. Visitors are invited to explore the vineyard, participate in seasonal grape harvesting, and take walks around Lake Geneva.

For further details: https://www.swisswine.ch/en/news/grape-escapes-spectacular-sleep

Source: www.swisswine.ch/

The 10 Most Expensive Wines in the World

Few things in the world improve in quality and value with age. Aged wine is one of those things, defined by elegance, rarity and finesse. If you are drawn to the thrill of owning something truly one of a kind, this niche market will certainly appeal to you.

We’ve all heard the expression “aging like a fine wine,” so you may not be surprised to learn seven of the 10 most expensive wines in the world are from 1947 or earlier. That includes three bottles that date back to the 18th century. No need to check the “best before” date.

Rank Wine Year Country Price
1 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Grand Cru 1945 France $558,000
2 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 1992 United States $500,000
3 Jeroboam of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild 1945 France $310,700
4 Cheval Blanc 1947 France $304,375
5 Château Lafite 1869 France $230,000
6 Château Margaux 1787 France $225,000
7 Ampoule from Penfolds, Block-42 Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Australia $168,000
8 Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1787 France $156,450
9 Henri Jayer, Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux 1999 France $136,955
10 Massandra Sherry de la Frontera 1775 Spain $43,500

France leads the way for luxury wines
What conclusions can we draw from the list? We all already knew that they like their wine in France, so the fact they produce the most expensive wines around won’t come as a huge shock.

Seven of the top ten most expensive wines ever sold hail from France, although special mention must go to the United States’ own Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, made in Napa Valley in 1992. Only 175 cases were produced at a time when Screaming Eagle Cabernet hadn’t yet established itself as a premium wine producer.

Source: https://sothebysrealty.ae/

Results are in for London Wine Fair’s “Judgement of London”

London Wine Fair’s Judgement of London took place this week, and the results are now in. 32 wines were tasted over a period of four hours by 21 judges, a selection of the UK’s best palates, two-thirds of which were either Masters of Wine or Master Sommeliers. The wines, all of which were decanted and served in Jancis Robinson X Richard Brendon glasses, were tasted in pairs under exam conditions: eight pairs of white wines, followed by eight pairs of red wines; each pairing comprised a European wine with their Rest of World counterpart, matched in terms of style. The judges scored each wine out of ten, which resulted in a grand total for each wine, and a final overall score for European vs. Rest of World.

The wines, amongst the best in the world, were selected by Sarah Abbott MW, MD of Swirl Wine Group and Ronan Sayburn MS, CEO of The Court of Master Sommeliers, who presented the results on Centre Stage with Hannah Tovey, Head of London Wine Fair earlier today (Tuesday afternoon). The key findings are as follows:

Top scoring white: Pegasus Bay Riesling, Bel Canto, Waipara, North Canterbury, New Zealand 2011
Runner up: Polish Hill Riesling, Grosset, Clare Valley, Australia 2012
Top scoring red: Hermitage Rouge, Jean Louis Chave, Rhône, France, 2012
Runner up: Château Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France 2009
Top scoring wine: Pegasus Bay Riesling, Bel Canto, Waipara, North Canterbury, New Zealand 2011
European wines: 2,621.5 points
Rest of World: 2,604.5 points
Overall winner: Europe
Difference: 0.65%

The purpose of Judgement of London was to give a snapshot of the fine wine landscape almost 50 years on from the original Judgement of Paris in 1976. Whilst California was the outright winner of the original Paris tasting, in 2024 –with a broader spectrum of wines to better reflect today’s fine wine scene – the results are almost too close to call, with less than a percentage point between the two “teams”.

Sarah Abbott MW commented: “The results from Judgement of London highlight that great wine can and does come from all corners of the world. Winemakers of these wines share so much in common, and the excitement and gratitude that these wines inspire unites and inspires us as a trade.”

Ronan Sayburn MS commented: “From the beginning, it was never about a winner or loser, and the results show that. 50 years ago, there was a definite difference in style; now it is a much more level playing field. The so-called New World were making wines which were for a cool climate style, but in a warm climate. And obviously they had a lot of success, but were they elegant? Since Judgement of Paris, the so-called New World has better adapted to their climates, clones, and what works well. It is no longer the underdog. All these wines tasted on their own are amongst the greatest in the world, and we were asking our judges to choose amongst them.”

Head of London Wine Fair, Hannah Tovey, commented: “The results could barely have been closer, and whilst that all points towards the equal footing of European and Rest of World wines in today’s fine wine market, it is also testament to the pairings selected by Ronan and Sarah. They were bang on in terms of matching. I would like to personally thank everyone involved in what was frankly a Herculean task; sourcing 32 of the world’s finest wines; Ronan and Sarah for their brilliant selections and management; and last but by no means least, the judges themselves, and their extraordinary palates.”

The full list of wines: https://shorturl.at/biZTy

Source: London Wine Fair

The Winners of the “Star Wine List” Announced

Star Wine List of the Year is the celebration of the great wine lists in the world and the teams behind them. The prize was awarded in ten categories, and the winners in each category got a Gold Star and qualified for the international final which will be held in June.

The International Open was held as an online event on May 6. Of the countries in the finals, both Australia and the Netherlands had the most representatives, with 20 restaurants/bars each. USA had 13 and Canada 10 venues shortlisted.

The jury for the Star Wine List of the Year International Open 2024 includes four international wine experts:

Pascaline Lepeltier
Piotr Pietras MS
Heidi Mäkinen MW
Doug Frost MW MS

“The judging process was quite a challenge and scores were really tight in most categories. The level of wine lists was high and I was impressed by their complexity, depth and a clever, creative touch,” said jury panel member Piotr Pietras MS about judging the International Open.

His fellow jury member Pascaline Lepeltier said:

“How exciting it is to see so many compelling lists from restaurants I have never heard of: it is impressive to see how so many sommeliers all around the world are creating curated beverage programs, with wit and intelligence, sometimes in areas where access to wine is complicated. I salute all their passion and hard work, and I am glad Star Wine List decided to showcase them!”

Doug Frost, both Master Sommelier and Master of Wine, joined the online celebration on May 6.

“I have looked at a lot of wine lists, and judged them, over the years. This time it was both really difficult and interesting. And it was exciting to look at so many different lists, and I learned a lot from it too. And it’s obvious that the people who sent us these lists have worked really, really hard,” he said.

Here are all the Gold Star winners:

The best list overall
[Gold Star]
De Nieuwe Winkel, Nijmegen, Netherlands

“Wow, this is crazy. I’m overwhelmed, thank you so much. I don’t know what to say, I feel very very honoured,” said Gauthier Cauwels from De Nieuwe Winkel.

“This award is not only about a list, but also how a wine selection is coherent with the whole philosophy of a restaurant. De Nieuwe Winkel is showing us what the gastronomy of tomorrow will probably be, ancred but how so diverse, and dedicated to be a local actor while responsibly offering some of the most thoughtful and delicious wines, at a fair price. Congrats!” said jury member Pascaline Lepeltier.

Best Long List
For wine lists with more than 600 references.
[Gold Star]
Restaurant Le Coureur des Bois, Beloeil, Canada

“Thank you. We are so very happy, this feels amazing. It’s a big work for every member on the team to maintain the list. It’s a tough job to keep the list year after year. The verticals and the classics, as well as the newcomers and the up-and-coming wines. My role is quite difficult, but I’m so happy for the team I work with,” said head sommelier Jean-Simon Rioux-Ranger at the event.

“A beautiful, complex list showcasing both classic and new-wave producers. The list thoroughly covers not only well-known appellations, but it also includes hidden gems and up-and-coming regions. Impressive verticals from numerous wineries are an added value,” said jury member Piotr Pietras.

Best Medium-Sized List
Recognizes the best wine list with 200-600 references.
[Gold Star]
MotherVine, Adelaide, Australia

“Thank you so much, it’s a great honour. I really didn’t expect this. Our list holds all the types of wines that we love to drink ourselves, but we also want to have wines for every kinds of tastes. Our name speaks of a clone, but we also have a love for Burgundy, which I think is reflected in the list,” said Mathieu Smeysters, sommelier and co-owner.

“This wine list highlights both national and international wines from exciting producers and manages to make the selection very diverse. The balance between different producer styles is successful and the offering is delightful throughout all pages,” said jury member Heidi Mäkinen MW.

Best Short List
Recognizes the best wine list with fewer than 200 listings.
[Gold Star]
De Nieuwe Winkel, Nijmegen, Netherlands

“Thank you, I feel very happy and honoured for the recognition. We try to do things differently, only cook plant-based for example. And our wine list is a reflection of that. We also have a beer sommelier, with an amazing list, and botanical cocktails. I want to send a big thank you to our owners who let me keep building this list, and thank you to all my colleagues,” said Gauthier Cauwels from De Nieuwe Winkel.

“Frankly, it’s easy (if expensive) to write a great wine list when you have several thousand selections. I’ve always believed that the truest mark of smarts is the ability to write a well-rounded and complete short wine list. Winkel has provided a list for every gustatory and financial appetite. Sure, there’s a focus upon cooler sites and Bordeaux is under-represented, but there are so many other wonderful options that it just doesn’t matter,” said jury member Doug Frost, Master Sommelier and Master of Wine.

Best Sparkling Wine List
Recognizes the best list with sparkling wines
This category is presented by Nyetimber
[Gold Star]
Ristorante del Lago, Bagno di Romagna, Italy

“We saw many wine lists with amazing Champagne selections; this one didn’t necessarily stand out for that but, rather, its crazy, nearly encyclopedic list of Italian bubblies. Okay, the Champagne list was great too,” said Doug Frost.

Best By the Glass List
Recognizes the best by the glass list.
[Gold Star]
Ten Minutes by Tractor, Main Ridge, Australia

“Thank you so much. I can only thank the wine team and the chefs, as well as our owners. Of course, people come to our restaurant to enjoy our own wines, but we want people to be able to enjoy a full restaurant experience, and enjoy other fantastic wines apart from ours,” said Kyle Barton from Ten Minutes by Tractor.

“Anyone entering this venue will be delighted by the offering by the glass, as it allows delving deep into different wine styles from around the world. Each choice, whether local or from further afield, is chosen carefully, so it would be a real struggle to choose what not to drink!” said jury member Heidi Mäkinen.

Best Newcomer List
Recognizes a venue that recently opened
[Gold Star]
Enoteca Boccaccio, Melbourne, Australia

“Thank you so much, such a great honour for us. Enoteca Boccaccio has been a dream project for my bosses, the d’Anna family. We’ve been open a little less than a year, and it has been such a lovely journey to build this list,” said wine director Elena Leardini.

“They may be newcomers but they offer a fantasy of some of the sexiest names in wine: Selosse, Krug, Raveneau, J.J. Prüm, Emidio Pepe, Rinaldi, and Borgogno, all with remarkable vertical selections. The largest of all the verticals? One of the greatest values in Italian wine: Produttori del Barbaresco,” said jury member Doug Frost.

Sustainable Wine List
For the Sustainable Wine List category, not only the wine list is evaluated, but also the stated actions of the venue, as described through a questionnaire in the application.
[Gold Star]
Esters Wine Shop & Bar, Santa Monica, USA

“It is always so inspiring to see more and more places looking for solutions to make a restaurant a more sustainable place, especially when it goes beyond just the selection of committed farmers and winemakers. This is what set Esters apart; actions and support not only to education and promotion of sustainable farming, but an involvement in the local community to help the needed environmental and social changes to happen,” said the jury’s Pascaline Lepeltier.

Here is the link to the winners:
starwinelist.com/wine-story/the-winners-in-our-international-open-with-competing-wine-lists-from-19-countries

Source: Star Wine List