Wine Marketing Archives

Enroute to the Vinho Verde Region [Portugal]

Heading northwest to the Vinho Verde region today. This regions spans from the Atlantic coast to the mountainous interior and iis shaped by a cool, wet climate and granitic soils that give rise to wines with distinct freshness and character.

Geography and Sub-Regions Vinho Verde lies within the broader Minho region and borders the Douro Valley and Trás-os-Montes to the East, and the Dão & Lafões region to the South. The region is segmented into nine sub-regions, each contributing its own microclimatic influence and grape-growing identity: 

·       Monção and Melgaço
·       Lima
·       Basto
·       Cávado
·       Ave
·       Amarante
·       Baião
·       Sousa
·       Paiva

From coastal vineyards to inland hills, these areas showcase incredible diversity in soil, elevation, and style.

Wine Styles: From Classic to Cutting-Edge Vinho Verde is traditionally celebrated for its crisp, low-alcohol white wines, often lightly effervescent and youthful in spirit. These wines, especially those made from Alvarinho, Loureiro, and Arinto are the perfect companions for fresh seafood.
Yet today’s Vinho Verde is far from one-dimensional. Winemakers are pushing boundaries, crafting orange wines, pet-nat sparklers, and oak-aged whites that rival more established categories. This evolution reflects the region’s balance of deep-rooted heritage and dynamic innovation.

What’s in a Name? “Vinho Verde” translates to “green wine,” but the term doesn’t refer to the color, instead, it captures the region’s essence: youthful, vibrant, and fresh. It’s a style that’s alive with acidity and minerality, echoing the region’s verdant landscape and Atlantic breezes.

AliveTaste’25 – Porto, Portugal

I’m heading to Porto today participate in the 9th Edition of @Alivetaste_com in Portugal!

I’ll be exploring the wine regions of Vinho Verde and Douro; visiting top wine producers, dining at some of Portugal’s most celebrated restaurants, and luxury hotels.

The journey culminates at the enchanting gardens of the Palácio do Freixo in Porto, where the annual event brings celebration of flavors and aromas with some of Portugal’s best wine producers and renowned chefs. This event will be a true celebration of Portuguese gastronomy and wine excellence and I’m thrilled to participate!

Stay tuned for highlights, tastings, and behind-the-scenes moments!

For further information about the event: https://alivetaste.com/

Liz Palmer

Dievole Wine Resort: A Benchmark in Tuscan Wine Tourism Excellence

During my recent visit to Dievole Wine Resort, I conducted an in-depth exploration of the estate’s integrated wine tourism program, encompassing guided vineyard tours, curated gastronomic experiences, and a structured tasting of the estate’s wine portfolio. Here are my findings.

The Dievole Wine Resort exemplifies an exceptional model of integrated wine tourism, where viticulture, gastronomy, and heritage converge in the heart of Tuscany’s Chianti Classico region. Encompassing over 600 hectares of vineyards, olive groves, woods, and gardens, the estate is not merely a destination, but a deeply immersive cultural experience rooted in centuries of winemaking tradition.

At the core of Dievole’s enotourism strategy is its commitment to educating and engaging visitors through meticulously curated experiences. The Dievole Grand Tour offers a comprehensive exploration of the estate’s unique terroir and its state-of-the-art winemaking facilities, including the visually striking circular Fidelio vineyard, cellar tours, and tutored tastings of flagship wines paired with regional specialties. For the oenologically curious, the Novecento Vertical Tasting delivers an analytical lens through which to examine vintage variation and the aging trajectory of Dievole’s iconic Chianti Classico Riserva Novecento, a wine steeped in historical significance and viticultural precision.

Complementing these in-depth offerings is the Classic Wine Tour, which provides a balanced introduction to Dievole’s core wines and acclaimed extra virgin olive oils. This dual focus on wine and oil underscores the estate’s broader philosophy of sustainable and diversified agriculture. These tastings are frequently followed by meals at the Novecento Restaurant, where seasonal Tuscan cuisine is prepared with elegant simplicity and paired with Dievole’s wines in a refined, rustic setting.

A Distinctive Hospitality Offering

Accommodation at Dievole is housed within beautifully restored 18th-century stone buildings. The suites, featuring traditional Tuscan textiles, exposed wooden beams, and terracotta floors, are designed to merge rustic authenticity with modern luxury. Each suite opens to expansive views of the vineyard and surrounding olive groves, reinforcing the immersive nature of the stay.

Mornings begin with a farm-to-table breakfast, showcasing honey harvested on-site, artisanal cheeses, and freshly baked pastries, a tranquil prelude to a day of tastings, exploration, or relaxation by the pool. Evenings are reserved for gastronomic indulgence, with menu highlights such as hand-rolled pici pasta with wild boar ragù and the classic bistecca alla fiorentina.

Winemaking Excellence: Novecento Riserva 2019

Among the estate’s standout wines, the Novecento Chianti Classico Riserva 2019 emerges as a timeless representation of Sangiovese expression. First released in 1990 to commemorate Dievole’s millennium, its history traces back to a lease document dated May 1090; Novecento continues to honour its legacy with each vintage. The 2019 edition, marking its 30th harvest, offers an intricate portrait of the estate’s terroir: balsamic notes, licorice, black cherry, and violet dominate the aromatic profile, supported by firm structure and age-worthy elegance (10–15 years).

Vinified in large, tulip-shaped concrete vats and matured for 24 months in untoasted French oak, the wine balances tradition with innovation. A small percentage of Canaiolo and Colorino complements the Sangiovese core, creating layered complexity and refined restraint. With a limited production of approximately 30,000 bottles, the 2019 vintage exemplifies Dievole’s enduring pursuit of excellence.

Recommended Wines:

Novecento Chianti Classico Riserva, 2019
Vigna Sessina Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, 2020
Catignano Chianti Classico, 2021
Casanova Chianti Classico, 2021
Chianti Classico Petrignano, 2021
Chianti Classico, 2022

Tasting Highlights:
Novecento Riserva 2019

This Chianti Classico Riserva opens with a vibrant bouquet of black cherry, violet, and balsamic, with subtle tobacco notes. On the palate, it shows refined structure with ripe red currant and black cherry layered over hints of leather, anise, with some herbal notes. The oak is well-integrated without overpowering the fruit. With firm yet elegant tannins and a long, mineral-driven finish, this wine offers both immediate appeal and aging potential. A poised and expressive Riserva that captures the essence of Chianti Classico with clarity and finesse.

Score: 94/100
Liz Palmer

Aging potential: 10–15 years

Dievole Wine Resort transcends the conventional winery visit by offering a deeply holistic encounter with Tuscan culture. It is a compelling model of how wine estates can integrate storytelling, sustainability, and sensory engagement into a unified, enriching visitor experience. I found through our curated tastings, vineyard walks, gastronomic immersion, and luxurious Tuscan-style accommodations that Dievole stands as a benchmark for premium wine tourism in the Tuscany region.

Temecula Valley Reports Historic Growth in Tourism: 3.4 Million Visitors and $1.1 Billion Economic Impact in 2024

Visit Temecula Valley released its 2024 Economic Impact of Travel report this week, revealing substantial growth in tourism-related activity for the region. According to data compiled by Dean Runyan Associates, the region welcomed a record-setting 3.4 million visitors, a 2.1% increase over 2023 and an 8.7% increase from pre-pandemic 2019 levels. The report underscores the expanding role of tourism in the local economy, with visitor-related spending generating $1.1 billion in economic output. Key metrics analyzed include visitation, expenditures, employment, labour income, and tax revenue, all of which reflect sustained post-pandemic recovery and economic resilience.

“While the broader tourism landscape faced challenges, Temecula Valley proudly surpassed all previous visitor number records, demonstrating exceptional growth,” said Scott A. Wilson, CEO of Visit Temecula Valley. “This achievement is a direct reflection of our tourism partners’ unwavering commitment to elevating Temecula Valley as a premium tourism destination and expanding our appeal to visitors from California, the wider U.S., and increasingly, the world.”

Temecula Valley, also known as Southern California Wine Country, benefits from a strategic geographical advantage. Situated approximately equidistant from Los Angeles and San Diego, the region boasts a substantial drive market, with nearly 23 million residents residing within a two-hour radius.”

It is a popular Southern California destination that includes Temecula Valley Wine Country, Old Town Temecula, and Pechanga Resort Casino. For further information: http://www.visittemeculavalley.com.

A Napa Valley Icon: Oakville Grocery & Wine Merchant

While exploring Napa Valley recently, I couldn’t resist stopping by Oakville Grocery, a true icon of the region! Established in 1881, this historic spot is California’s oldest continually operating grocery, and you can feel its heritage the moment you walk through the door. It’s a beautifully curated space, packed with artisanal cheeses, freshly baked bread, house‑made salads, olive oils, and a bounty of delicious, locally sourced delights. It’s a paradise for food lovers, a time‑honoured piece of Napa’s charm, and an absolute must‑visit when you’re in wine country!

Right next door is Oakville Wine Merchant; this is a must‑visit for wine lovers! I found over 60 wines by the glass, featuring some of Napa’s finest producers! Housed in a charming 150‑year‑old Victorian building, it also serves as the 1881 Napa Wine History Museum. The tasting room combines historical significance with contemporary hospitality. It’s a perfect spot to sample wines, examine their labels, and gain deeper insights into Napa Valley’s rich winemaking heritage.

Oakville Grocery and Oakville Wine Merchant occupy a prime location along Highway 29, in the heart of Napa Valley, within close proximity to iconic estates including: Opus One, Robert Mondavi, and Silver Oak. After attending the “Opus One Experience,” I found this historic venue to be a welcoming space for pausing, contemplating, and deepening my understanding of Napa Valley’s rich winemaking legacy.

I highly recommend visiting Oakville Grocery and Oakville Wine Merchant as essential destinations for anyone exploring Napa Valley. These two historic buildings embody a living testament to Napa’s rich heritage and cultural identity. Offering not only an exceptional selection of artisanal foods and world-class wines but also a deep connection to the region’s history, they provide a memorable complement to the celebrated wines and enduring traditions that have shaped this iconic terroir.

For further details: https://www.oakvillegrocery.com/