Moët’s value leads the world’s wine brands
A ranking of the world’s most valuable wine brands is led by Moët & Chandon, followed by China’s Changyu. LVMH’s Chandon and Veuve Clicquot join in at third and fourth place.
Mixed picture for wine sales in 2021
Wine has become a more central part of many consumers’ lives over the past 12 months. For some, it is a habit restored; for others, it is a legacy of lockdown. But research house Wine Intelligence warns that while glasses will continue to be filled in 2021, governments may boost taxes to help cover the costs of COVID-19.
Crittenden Savagnin boasts WOW factor
While Australia is awash with French grapes, an unknown one is Savagnin, which is being wonderfully made by Crittenden Estate Wines in Australia. Elegant and powerful, the Savagnin wines of France have been compared to Sherry due to yeast flavours, but Crittenden’s wines are very much their own, with a WOW factor.
Need help pronouncing Champagne brands? Say it like the French
What is a great wine?
For most people, novice and professionals, the perceived quality of a wine is linked to its price. Many of us we prefer to remain silent on our real opinions for fear of appearing ridiculous before “connoisseurs”. This reaction, while normal, is in no way justified, writes the Bordeaux Chauvinist, a sommelier by training.
Morris celebrates big win at London awards
The 2020 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), held virtually London in November, named Morris of Rutherglen Fortified Wine Producer of the Year and the Outstanding Wine Producer of the Year – a big wine for what was once the largest wine producer in the Southern Hemisphere.
Aussie wine exporters hit with China tariffs
Shares in Australia’s largest wine producer, Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), have recovered slightly after the company was hit with a temporarily 169% tariff on its wine exports to China, as TWE seeks to sell its surplus wine elsewhere, make more wine in France or potentially China to avoid the tariff which will kill its Chinese sales.
Italy’s Verdicchio worth a try
While Verdicchio is the most widely grown white grape in Le Marche, it is little known outside Italy, unless you happen to recall seeing a fish-shaped bottle in a liquor store, on the way out. Like the region itself, it’s underrated. Primo Estate has brought a great example to Australia. And if you can get to Le Marche itself, it’s less busy than the adjacent Umbrian and Tuscan regions, with greater natural beauty.
Carbon Neutral wine can aid the climate
Ross Hill has undertaken extensive measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by wine business and to minimise its impact on the environment. With full certification, wine consumers can trust its wines to be carbon neutral, says Ross Hill Wines co-owner, James Robson.
Australian wineries hit by China tariffs fears
Shares in Australia’s largest wine producer, Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), fell to their lowest level in five years this week on possible tariffs or bans being placed on its exports to China. The company has also paused on a demerger of its famous Penfolds brand, to focus on boosting its operations.
French grape dominance grows
New research reveals that the dominance of French wine grapes varieties has grown dramatically across the globe while Italian and Spanish varietals have become less popular. The extent of varietal diversity both nationally and globally has shrunk, despite the hype about ‘alternative’ varieties.
