IWCA – International Wineries for Climate Action Wine is one of the most valuable agricultural products in the world. Now we’re witnessing the catastrophic effects of the global climate emergency. The world’s vineyards are vulnerable to an increasing amount of extreme weather events; from storms, floods, heat, fire and drought. Some marginal winegrowing regions in the world have arguably benefited thus …
Pla de Bages and its unique heritage
Pla de Bages and its unique heritage These days, Pla de Bages is a relatively obscure Spanish wine region in the heart of Catalonia, Spain. Yet winegrowing has been here since Roman times, and the word Bages comes from Bacchus, the Roman God of wine. North-west of Barçelona, this fascinating region occupies the valleys of two rivers, the Llobregat and …
Trade up for wine value – how to use vinonomics
Trade up for wine value – how to use vinonomics Post Budget 2020, this infographic from Bibendum is now the best I’ve seen that demonstrates why it’s well worth spending just a little more on your bottle of wine when buying retail. It’s time to trade up and get more value for money! So am I perverse in encouraging you the …
Millésime BIO 2020: the world’s biggest organic wine fair
Millésime BIO 2020: the world’s biggest organic wine fair Millésime BIO was established in 1993 by a handful of organic winegrowers from Languedoc-Roussillon. This 27th edition is the biggest trade fair for organic and biodynamic wines in the world. The 2020 show ran from 27-29 January 2020 in Montpellier, south of France. Diversity You might think that this show would …
Wine Blog of the Year 2019 awards – Wine Alchemy
Wine Blog of the Year 2019 awards – Wine Alchemy I’m delighted to announce today that Wine Alchemy received the Highly Commended award in the prestigious Wine Blog of the Year 2019 awards. You can see the results here at WinesDirect. That’s because YOU, my readers, chose to vote for me, not some wine trade cosy clique. The shortlist contained some illustrious …
Summer of Soave – UK promotion 2019, and more besides
Summer of Soave – UK promotion 2019, and more besides Summer of Soave is a UK promotion that’s running, you guessed it, this summer. So look out for tastings, promotions and more besides. Soave is undoubtedly one of my favourite Italian white wines and is also a place that’s close to my heart. Hence it’s a place to return to often, …
Autochtona 2018 wine competition, Bolzano
Autochtona 2018 wine competition, Bolzano Autochtona is an annual wine competition held in Bolzano, in the far north of Italy. What makes it unique is that entries can be from wines made only with Italy’s Authoctonous grape varieties. Autochtonous means only those varieties that originate, as far as is known, within Italy itself. You won’t find the international varieties or any other grape …
Nero Oro Nero d’Avola Appassimento, DOC Sicilia, 2017
Nero Oro Nero d’Avola Appassimento, DOC Sicilia, 2017 Nero Oro comes from the Feudo di Santa Tresa estate in Sicily in collaboration with a company called The Wine People. It’s intriguing in several ways, not just because of the taste. Firstly, it’s 100% Nero d’Avola, a grape indigenous to Sicily and one of its best varieties. Since the 1990s, it …
Wine Idols? Celebrity Wines Uncorked
Wine Idols? Celebrity Wines Uncorked Celebrities are everywhere, clamouring for our attention. Our lives are saturated with their images, activities and gossip. Celebrity status for some is by achievement. Others achieve it through notoriety or sleeping on Reality TV. Try keeping up. It’s because we’re worth it. The nature of celebrity goes far beyond fame and seems regardless of talent, …
Sella & Mosca, a unique winery in Sardegna
Sella & Mosca, a unique winery in Sardegna Erminio Sella and Edgardo Mosca founded Sella & Mosca in 1890. They came from Piemonte, transforming a poor sheep-farming area into an extraordinary vinous landscape. These rich men were also amateur Egyptologists. It’s commemorated in the winery logo, showing ancient Egyptians pressing grapes, from the tomb of Mereruka in Saqqara. The origins of …