Category: Wine

Carol Duval-Leroy Named Officer of the Legion of Honour for Her Pioneering Role in Champagne

In a momentous acknowledgment of her exceptional contributions to viticulture and French cultural heritage, Carol Duval-Leroy, President of Maison Duval-Leroy, has been named Officer of the Legion of Honour, one of France’s highest civilian accolades.

This prestigious distinction not only honours her unwavering dedication to the Champagne region but also recognizes over three decades of exemplary leadership, innovation, and advocacy within the global wine industry. Under her stewardship, Maison Duval-Leroy has become a paragon of quality and sustainability, balancing tradition with progressive viticultural practices.

Carol Duval-Leroy’s accolade is a powerful testament to her role as a trailblazer, championing excellence, empowering women in wine, and preserving the cultural legacy of Champagne for future generations.

Her journey continues to inspire both industry peers and aspiring professionals around the world.

Rethinking the Tasting Room Experience: Does Waiving Fees Drive More Visitors?

I’ve come across some compelling insights from the SVB 2025 DtC Wine Report that shed light on evolving strategies in the tasting room experience.

According to the report, wineries were asked under what circumstances they would waive tasting fees. Predictably, scenarios such as making a purchase or joining a wine club were frequently cited, widely viewed as justified within broader sales tactics.

Interestingly, the report also explored whether lowering or waiving tasting fees could increase visitation. While this strategy is still in the early stages of evaluation, 35% of respondents noted an increase in visitation after lowering fees. However, 29% saw no improvement, and 32% said it was too soon to determine the outcome.

This data signals a shift in how wineries are rethinking visitor engagement and revenue models, especially as competition intensifies in the DtC space.

Source: SVB 2025 DtC Wine Report

Exploring the “Wines of Portugal” Tasting Room in Lisbon’s Terreiro do Paço

Lisbon’s vibrant energy flows through its grand avenues, pastel façades, and historic waterfront, yet one of its most compelling experiences lies quietly in a corner of the city’s most iconic square. Tucked into the western wing of Praça do Comércio, also known as Terreiro do Paço, the Wines of Portugal Tasting Room, operated by ViniPortugal, offers an exceptional immersion into the diversity and depth of Portuguese wine.

Once the site of Portugal’s Royal Palace during the reigns of King Manuel I (1511) and King José I (1755), this square has witnessed centuries of seismic change, both literally and figuratively. Following the devastating 1755 earthquake, Praça do Comércio was rebuilt in the elegant Pombaline architectural style and has since become a symbol of Portuguese resilience, culture, and commerce. Today, the surrounding buildings house government ministries, sleek restaurants, curated shops, and cultural spaces; seamlessly blending past and present.

At the heart of this transformation sits the Wines of Portugal Tasting Room, a sanctuary for oenophiles. The space offers a self-guided or sommelier-led journey through more than 1,000 wines from across Portugal’s diverse regions, from the granite-soiled vineyards of the Vinho Verde DOC to the sun-drenched plains of Alentejo, and from Douro’s legendary quintas to the volcanic terroir of the Azores.

A visit to the Wines of Portugal Tasting Room is not just about tasting; it’s about time-traveling through the country’s enological heritage, told through native grapes like Touriga Nacional, Baga, Encruzado, and Arinto.

Location:
Terreiro do Paço, 1100-148 Lisboa, Portugal
Further details: www.viniportugal.pt

AliveTaste’25 Elevates Portugal’s Wine + Gastronomy at Pestana Palácio do Freixo

In the heart of Portugal’s storied wine country, where centuries-old traditions meet contemporary elegance, this year’s AliveTaste’25 was nothing short of a sensory revelation.

Held at the magnificent Portuguese Baroque Pestana Palácio do Freixo – DOURO. The event unfolded as a harmonious symphony of taste, culture, and refined hospitality.

The event was attended by an eclectic mix of luminaries: international wine critics, Michelin-starred chefs, top sommeliers, and luxury travel insiders. From Canada to Paris to São Paulo to South Korea, the guest list read like a passport through the world’s wine capitals. Both Portuguese wines and gastronomy took center stage, joined by leading producers from across the country, bringing the global wine world together in one extraordinary setting.

AliveTaste is more than a celebration of fine wine; it is a tribute to the terroir, the people, and the compelling stories that are shaping Portugal’s growing influence in gastronomy and luxury wine tourism. In 2025, the event once again raised the bar, elevating the experience to new heights.

“AliveTaste’25 was nothing short of a sensory revelation,” Liz Palmer

Here is their website for further details: https://alivetaste.com/

Discovering Campania’s Wine Heritage at Campania Stories 2025

Despite its fragmented landscapes, diverse soils, and varied climate, the Campania region of southern Italy presents a unified face to the global wine world each year through the Campania Stories event.

This year’s event was held in the Vesuvius area from May 18–21 and featured over 90 producers from across Campania. It offered an exceptional opportunity for wine journalists and professionals to discover and taste the wines of this distinctive region. Each year, Campania Stories takes place in a different location; this year, it was hosted at the foot of the active Mount Vesuvius. The event was organized by Miriade & Partners, a local communications agency. The opening ceremony took place at Palazzo Mediceo in Ottaviano, a historic villa that offers panoramic views of the surrounding volcanic landscape.

This setting was ideal for exploring wines from the inland areas of Naples province, where vines grow in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. These vineyards, nestled beneath the 1,200-meter-high volcano, benefit from its protection against sea breezes and harsh weather.

Campania’s Wine Production: An Overview
Campania is Italy’s 8th largest wine-producing region, contributing around 4% of the country’s total wine output, which equates to approximately 1.7 million hectoliters per year. While red wines dominate production, there is also a significant volume of white wines, particularly from the Sannio area. Campania’s wines fall under 4 DOCG and 15 DOC appellations, including Vesuvio DOC.

The Historic Vesuvius Wine Region
The Vesuvius area is one of Campania’s oldest wine regions, with viticulture dating back to the 5th century BC. The Greeks and Romans were instrumental in developing the area’s wine culture, introducing new grape varieties and utilizing the volcanic soils’ richness.

Today, viticulture in this zone is divided between two main designations: IGP Monte Somma and Vesuvio DOP. Monte Somma refers to the ancient volcanic rim that partially collapsed after the 79 AD eruption. While Vesuvio wines are more widely recognized, Monte Somma displays unique characteristics, with vineyards reaching elevations of up to 700 meters above sea level. These north-facing slopes benefit from cooling altitudes and descending air currents.

The Vesuvio DOP area is heavily influenced by its microclimate, sea breezes from the Gulf of Naples, and protection from the Lattari Mountains and the Apennines. These features shield the vines from severe frost, while the volcanic activity continues to enrich the soils with potassium and pyroclastic materials.

Monte Somma: A Pristine Terroir
Protected from major lava flows, Monte Somma retains its pristine environment, including dense forests and fruit trees such as the local crisommola apricot. Wines from this area—designated under Monte Somma IGP, are typically austere in youth but exhibit significant aging potential thanks to wide diurnal temperature variation and complex terroir influences.

The Vesuvio DOP appellation, by contrast, faces south and is a major tourist attraction. Its coastal exposure ensures vineyards receive ample sunlight and maritime influence, producing riper, fuller-bodied wines. The entire viticultural area lies within the Vesuvius National Park, a designated biodiversity heritage site.

Ancient Grape Varieties of Vesuvius
The area is home to several ancient grape varieties, including Caprettone (white) and Piedirosso (red). Some of these vines remain ungrafted, thanks to volcanic soil’s natural resistance to phylloxera, offering a treasure trove of genetic heritage. Growers maintain these vines through traditional propagation methods such as layering, preserving centuries-old lineages.

One rare and notable variety is Catalanesca, grown exclusively in the Monte Somma IGT zone. This grape is believed to have originated in Catalonia, Spain, and was introduced to the area in the 15th century by Lucrezia d’Alagno, the lover of King Alfonso I of Aragon. Since then, Catalanesca has adapted so thoroughly to the local terroir that it is now considered native. Interestingly, the grape’s physical characteristics are berry size and cluster shape, change significantly when grown outside Vesuvius.

Originally classified as a table grape, Catalanesca was not used for winemaking until the 1990s due to its large berries, thick skins, and susceptibility to oxidation. However, in 2011, it was officially included in the Monte Somma IGT appellation. Wines made from Catalanesca are semi-aromatic, with floral and saline notes, crisp acidity, and a pleasantly tannic mouthfeel. They typically reach their peak 2–3 years post-harvest. Several samples tasted during Campania Stories stood out for their quality and typicity; detailed tasting notes to follow.

Filippo Magnani