Category: Wine Trends

Women in Wine Talks: Leadership in Challenging Times with Maggie Henriquez, President and CEO of Krug Champagne – June 23, 2020 1:00 pm EST

I’m extremely proud to host our upcoming “Women in Wine Talks” with Margareth Henríquez, President, and CEO of Krug Champagne on June 23.  Maggie is someone truly whom I respect and admire as a woman, mother, (now grandmother), and business leader whom I’ve met on many occasions in Paris and Reims.

Here are the details on her upcoming leadership talk:

Join us June 23rd 2020 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) for an exclusive in-depth conversation with Maggie Henriquez, President & CEO of Krug Champagne. Ms Henriques will share her personal strategies for success in challenging times!

Les Dames d’Escoffier Ontario (Canada) is proud to host “Women in Wine TalksTM” as an online platform to raise awareness of women in the wine industry to impact positive change. We shine the spotlight on global women business leaders, winemakers, authors and industry experts.

CONCEPT

Women in Wine TalksTM are inspiring conversations, virtual wine- tastings and panel discussions with wine industry experts. “Memorable and Elevated Virtual Experiences.”

Next up:

Women in Wine Talks with Margareth (Maggie) Henriquez Ph.D., President & CEO, Krug Maison de Champagne, and President, LVMH Estates and Wine Division

“The Turnaround CEO”

Maggie Henriquez needs little introduction. She is an extraordinary speaker and inspirational leader, is incredibly dynamic and a visionary. Maggie is the President and CEO of Krug Maison de Champagne and President of LVMH Estates & Wine Division.  She will not only capture your heart; she will fully engage your mind with her talk on Leadership in Challenging Times.

Registration details:

June 23, 2020 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) 

To register in advance for this Women in Wine Talk:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/leadership-in-challenging-times-with-maggie-henriquez-ceo-of-krug-champagne-tickets-109305076426

Ascot Launches Wine Club

Royal Ascot 2020 was canceled in April due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. The racecourse’s flagship five-day event will not be open to the public, but organizers still hope to draw in fans by broadcasting the popular outing behind closed doors. Racegoers will still be able to enjoy the racing action, take part in themed activities and dress up at home to bring Royal Ascot to life.

As an event which truly showcases the very best in food and drink, Ascot has launched the ‘Ascot Wine Club’ in association with its wine and champagne suppliers Hallgarten & Novum Wines and Moët & Chandon.

Three cases of wine are available, each named after former Gold Cup Champions – The Yeats Case, The Sagaro Case and The Fame and Glory Case – featuring wines from across Hallgarten Wines’ award-winning portfolio and Moët & Chandon’s flagship cuvées. Customers will also be able to create their own mixed cases with wines at a special Ascot Wine Club price.

10% of all wine sales through their website will be donated to Ascot Racecourse Supports Charitable Fund.

Juliet Slot, chief commercial officer at Ascot Racecourse, said: “As we plan for Royal Ascot 2020 behind closed doors, we wanted to offer a delivery service of some of our best-loved Royal Ascot wines while supporting the Ascot Racecourse Supports Charitable Fund. Combined with expert pairing advice, we hope The Ascot Wine Club will help bring the Royal Ascot experience to life, wherever you are watching the action from in this unprecedented year.”

Good News- New York State Restaurants Reopen for Outdoor Dining

Good News! Restaurants in seven regions of New York state have been given permission by Governor Andrew Cuomo to reopen for outdoor dining today!

As reported by Eater New York, Cuomo gave the green light for restaurants to reopen for al fresco eating in the seven regions of New York state that were in the second phase of reopening.

The seven regions are: Central New York, the Finger Lakes, the Mohawk Valley, the North Country, the Southern Tier, Western New York and the Capital Region.

These rules do not apply to New York City, which is yet to enter the second phase of reopening, but according to Eater, this may happen as early as 22 June. NYC due to enter its first phase of reopening on 8 June.

Restaurants in New York state that reopen for outdoor dining will have to space their tables two meters apart and ensure that all staff members are wearing face masks. Diners will also be required to cover their face when they aren’t at their table.

To qualify for outdoor dining, venues will need to be granted approval from local entities and will have to comply with local regulations for outdoor dining. Eater reports that restaurants and bars in New York City will have to secure specific permits before being able to set up tables outside.

No guidelines have been issued regarding indoor dining in New York State, which will not take place until the third phase of reopening begins.

Millennials are vital to Champagne’s future  

“Millennials are vital to Champagne’s future… because they are willing to look beyond the ‘just for celebrations’ mantra,” states Françoise Peretti, Director of the UK’s Champagne Information Bureau.

Millennials are deemed to be more digitally connected and open-minded than baby boomers.

Peretti further stressed the need to attract a younger generation of drinkers, and the potential demand among “open-minded” millennials.

“Unlike the Baby Boomers, they are open-minded consumers, willing to look beyond the ‘just for celebrations’ mantra,” she said of the age group, which covers those people from their early 20s to late 30s.

“This is their most important attribute: a desire to embrace the idea that Champagne can be a drink for the weekend, not simply New Year.”

Mentzendorff’s Andrew Hawes, who is the current chairman of the Champagne Agents Association believes that grower Champagnes are the key to unlocking the millennial market.

Hawes states “A quiet revolution has been building in the independent sector over the past few years.”  He further adds, “Independents are selling more and more grower Champagne to millennials – they are naturally drawn to the ‘craft’ credentials of smaller brands.”

In the US, Chicago-based sommelier Zach Jones recorded a similar development, and he goes on to say,  “Grower Champagne has had a huge surge in popularity with younger drinkers in the US, because there is a great story to tell and it gives younger consumers the sense that they are supporting a small family winery, not a massive machine.”

Sources:
Drinks Ontario
Champagne Information Bureau – UK

Vinexpo New York announces 2021 dates

It’s official… pencil in February 3 – 4 2020 in your Calendar!

Vinexpo New York has announced dates for its 2021 return to Jacob K. Javits Center. The move is a vote of confidence in the resilience of the wine and spirits industry and the show’s dates, February 3-4, will make it the first opportunity for the global market to gather as a community in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jointly organized with Diversified Communications, Vinexpo New York is the leading international exhibition in North America open exclusively to the wine and spirits trade. It features two full days of educational programming and networking opportunities. The exhibition hall is strategically organized to foster business relationships between both domestic and international producers and American importers, distributors, retailers, brokers, e-commerce representatives, on-trade buyers and sommeliers. Attendee and trade registration will open online in mid-September.

The 2021 show will feature all of the signature offerings of the 2020 show. These include a robust schedule of conferences and masterclasses; a Key Buyer Program offering VIP perks to high-volume wine and spirits buyers; a complimentary business matchmaking service; The Buzz, a dedicated space for knowledge exchange, networking and group discussion; and the WOW! Pavilion showcasing organic wines. US-based importers will also be exhibiting their portfolio of brands. Program details will be announced as they develop.

In the meantime… register for the June 3 webinar…

“The New Normal: Beverage Alcohol in a COVID Environment,” June 3

Vinexpo New York has introduced a webinar series to provide a forum for industry discussion well before it convenes next February. Moderated by Diversified Communications’ event director, Beckie Kier, the series launched on May 5 with The Evolving Landscape of the Wine and Spirits Industry. A second, planned for June 3, will explore The New Normal: Beverage Alcohol in a COVID Environment, and will feature Brandy Rand, chief operating officer, Americas, of the IWSR and a Vinexpo New York Advisory Board member. It will air live at 11:00-11:45 a.m. EDT and registration is available here. As the webinar program continues to develop, future events will be announced at https://www.vinexponewyork.com/webinars/.

“As the international wine and spirits industry, like so many others, navigates the unprecedented upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vinexpo and Diversified are unwavering in our shared commitment to providing a global platform to address the community’s needs, both through our new digital offerings and the return of our in-person event,” said Kier.

Added Vinexpo CEO Rodolphe Lameyse, “The extraordinary challenges posed by COVID-19 are impacting every aspect of our industry. Vinexpo New York 2021 will provide a vital platform for producers, importers, distributors, buyers and more to share their experiences and learnings and to hear from international experts as we all continue to adapt and innovate our way through the crisis.”

For further details visit vinexponewyork.com.