Category: Wine News

Champagne Bollinger celebrates 40 year partnership with James Bond

Champagne Bollinger hosted an elaborate event at the Hôtel de Crillon, Paris today to mark the 40th anniversary of their partnership with 007.

To celebrate this anniversary, Michael G. Wilson, producer of the James Bond films, was joined by an exclusive list of invitees. The evening paid tribute to the shared history of the two brands dating back to 1979 when Champagne Bollinger become the official Champagne of Britain’s famous secret agent, upon the release of Moonraker. Commenting on the anniversary, Michael G. Wilson & Barbara Broccoli producers of the James Bond films proudly stated that the relationship is: “One of the great partnerships in cinema – forty years and counting”.

The occasion was marked with the global product launch of the ‘The Moonraker Luxury Limited Edition’, the latest product offering from Champagne Bollinger to commemorate the 40-year partnership. Guests were treated to the first taste of this 2007 vintage, set to a backdrop of a Moonraker image retrospective including sketches of the iconic space shuttle, created by legendary production designer Sir Ken Adam, which inspired the design of the latest collector’s item.

Champagne Bollinger Website:

https://www.champagne-bollinger.com

 

 

MILLÉSIME BIO 2020 – Pérols, France

International wine Journalists, winemakers, wine marketers, and researchers will head to the south of France January 27-29 2020 for the only trade show dedicated to organic wine.

With green issues and climate change increasingly at the forefront of consumers’ purchasing choices, the importance of organic and biodynamic viticulture has never been more evident. This makes Millésime Bio more relatable than ever.

The 2020 event will introduce the addition of beer and cider makers and is set to be the trade show’s largest event ever. The organizers have increased the space to accommodate the increased number of wineries and businesses delving into the world of organics. Therefore, a fifth hall has been opened to house a further 100 exhibitors.

For 2020 Millésime Bio will take place over three days from 27 to 29 January 2020 at the Montpellier Exhibition Centre in Pérols.

There will be a free-pour area fitted with enotecas that will offer guests the chance to taste wines that have won medals in the annual international Millésime Bio competition. The Challenge Millésime Bio is one of the world’s largest organic wine competitions, which includes a judging panel made up of wine experts and senior buyers, chaired by Jean-Luc Rabanel, the head chef of the two-Michelin-starred restaurant l’Atelier in Arles and founder of the ‘Greenstronomie’ movement.

The fair will also run masterclasses and seminars, with particular attention to organic winemaking, but also changing trends and issues affecting the wider wine trade, including business and marketing.

“It’s safe to say our fair is in very good shape and continues to gather momentum,” Patrick Guiraud, president of Millésime Bio, said.

“This year, we wanted to offer the opportunity for more exhibitors to take part. They’ve been quick to secure their stands and we’ve even had to open a waiting list in September.”

Event Details:

The opening party, organized by SudVinBio, will take place on Monday 27 January.
27 January 2020 from 10am to 7pm
28 January 2020 from 9am to 7pm
29 January 2020 from 9am to 5pm

Address:
Montpellier Exhibition Centre (Parc des Expositions de Montpellier), Route de la Foire, 34470 Pérols, France

Website:
https://www.millesime-bio.com/en

Artcurial Fine Wine & Spirits Auction October 30th and 31st – Paris

Do you have a passion for both art and wine?

If so, attend Artcurial Fine Wine & Spirits auction October 30th and 31st – Paris, which will feature 800 lots, including Mouton Rothschild.

Did you know that Mouton Rothschild is famous for its labels?  Each year Mouton Rothschild has a label designed by a famous artist (Dalí, Bacon, Picasso, through to contemporary artists such as Rufino Tamayo in 1998, Robert Wilson in 2001 and Gu Gan in 1996.

Château Mouton Rothschild 1998, 1er GC Pauillac

Estimate: 1,160 – 1,200 € / 1,276 – 1,320 $

Château Mouton Rothschild 2001, 1er GC Pauillac

Estimate: 840 – 870 € / 920 – 957 $

Château Mouton Rothschild 1996, 1er GC Pauillac

Estimate: 330 – 340 € / 363 – 374 $

Other wines available: Bordeaux wines: Pétrus, Château Margaux and important references of red Burgundy including wine from the prestigious domains of Montrachet or La Tâche, great wines of the Domaine de la Romanée Conti.

The auction will also showcase various spirits, vintage champagnes, armagnac, cognac, and whisky.

Wednesday 30th October, 2pm (lot 1 à 440)
Thursday 31st October 2pm (lot 441 à 792)

7, Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées
75008 Paris

Catalog:

https://www.artcurial.com/en/sale-3989-fine-wine-spirits

Prosecco harvest down 3-5%

The harvest in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore has just come to an end with yields down between 3% to 5% from last year.

“This month we have just spent on the Rive vineyards has been one of intense work,” said Consorzio president, Innocente Nardi.

Nardi said that this has been an exceptional year for the territory, “starting off with the accolade from UNESCO, but also including the fiftieth anniversary of the denomination and our ban on glyphosate, which has made us the largest wine zone in Europe to forbid the use of this well-known herbicide.”

According to a statement from the Consorzio, harvesting took place in ideal conditions. “We registered an average pH of 3.30 and acidity of 6.55, values that are ideal for the production of elegant sparkling wines,” said the statement.

After a cold winter, spring was cooler and rainier than usual, which caused a delay in bud break. This was followed by a hot summer, and the weather was fine during the harvest. The harvest began in the most easterly zone and one slopes with the most exposure to sunlight, such as the vineyards at San Pietro di Feletto.

The region’s steep slopes are difficult to harvest with machinery, and “600 to 700 hours of manual work are necessary per hectare each year”.

The wines from 2019 will be the first to take advantage of the new production regulations passed in August of this year, which allow for sui lieviti (“on the yeasts”) sparkling wines that have been refermented in the bottle, and extra brut, with residual sugar between 0 and 6g per Litre.

https://www.prosecco.it/en/prosecco-superiore-docg/

The 20th Canberra International Riesling Challenge starts today

One of the biggest international promotions of Riesling starts today at the Albert Hall in Canberra, Australia.

The Riesling challenge has attracted 502 entries from 228 wineries from across nine Riesling-producing countries.

Judges from China, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia will rate the wines by region, country, and the world over three days, with results announced this Friday evening at an awards ceremony at the Hotel Realm.

The week will conclude with one of the biggest consumer tastings of Riesling in the world.

A feature of this year’s entries is what may be the first-ever entry from China to an Australian wine show.

“… one remembers the early days when Riesling was regarded as a cheap low-quality wine. Riesling’s profile is now that of the greatest white wine in the world” states CIRC chair James Service

Riesling Week Events

  • Judging: 14-17 October 2019: Albert Hall, Yarralumla – Media only
  • Riedel Riesling Master Class: Thursday 17 October 2019, 6.00pm – 9.00pm at the Hotel Realm
  • Awards Presentation: Friday 18 October 2019, 5.30pm – 7.00pm at the Hotel Realm
  • Hotel Realm Riesling Dinner: Friday 19 October, 7:30pm, Buvette Restaurant, Hotel Realm
  • ActewAGL Trade and Consumer Tasting: Saturday 19 October 2019, 11.00am-3.00pm Albert Hall, Yarralumla

rieslingchallenge.com