Month: July 2018

Liv-ex top 50 most-searched wines in 2018

Each year around the summer season, Liv-ex examines the top 50

Each year around the summer season, Liv-ex examines the top 50 most-viewed wines, based on visits to their website from January to July.  The search-data acts as a barometer for the interests of fine wine merchants, showing where there have been changes in the trade’s interests each year.

Firsts still first

The Bordeaux First Growths continue to occupy the top five spots in the table, with Lafite Rothschild holding its position as the most viewed wine by Liv-ex members. The only difference from last year is Margaux has leapfrogged Haut Brion into third place, helped along by this year’s most searched wine, Margaux 2015.

Risers

Brands on the move such as new entrant Carmes Haut Brion (+34) have been the winners so far this year. However, trade is yet to catch up with interest, as the wine ranks a lowly 141st in terms of trade by value. Canon has had another strong year. It has climbed 23 places into the 20th spot, after climbing 24 places in 2017.

Opus One is the largest non-Bordeaux riser, jumping 24 places. Louis Roederer, Cristal has also done well, jumping 18 places. Trade has also seen a corresponding increase in 2018, placing the champagne as the 9th most traded brand on Liv-ex.

Fallers

For some to rise, others must fall. Traders appear to be losing interest in Super seconds as, amongst others, Ducru Beaucaillou (-8), Leoville Barton (-6), Leoville Poyferre (-5), Montrose (-4) and Pichon Baron (-2) have all subsided in the ranking.

Vieux Chateau Certan was the biggest faller, down 15 places.

This year’s top 50 are shown in the table in full.

Sources: 

Fine Wine Market

 

U.S. Guinness Brewery is set to open August 3, 2018

Starting August 3, 2018 Guinness beer will be brewed at its own U.S. brewing facility.

Starting August 3, 2018 Guinness beer will be brewed at its own U.S. brewing facility.

Guinness’ parent Diageo announced January 31, 2017 by press release that they would build a U.S. version of Dublin’s famous Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore County, Maryland.

The $50 million project includes the construction of a mid-sized Guinness brewery, packaging and warehousing operations as well as a tasting room, retail store and visitor center at Diageo’s Relay, Maryland site.

The new brewery would feed Guinness’ innovation program by creating new beers for the U.S. market, but the vast majority of the brand’s world-renowned stout offerings would continue to be brewed at the St. James’s Gate facility in Dublin, the company said.

“Opening a Guinness brewery and visitor center in the US will enable us to collaborate with fellow brewers and interact with the vibrant community of beer drinkers,” Diageo Beer Company, USA president Tom Day said in a press release. “Given the success of our Open Gate Brewery in Dublin and the popularity of beer tourism in the US, we are confident that Americans will welcome the opportunity to come experience Guinness brewing in Baltimore County.”

The full press release is included below:

RELAY, Md., January 31, 2017 – Continuing the momentum from Diageo Beer Company USA’s positive half year financial results, Diageo today announced its intention to build a US version of Dublin’s popular Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore County, Maryland. As currently planned, the company would build a mid-sized Guinness brewery and a Guinness visitor experience with an innovation microbrewery at the company’s existing Relay, Maryland site. This new brewing capability and consumer experience, combined with a packaging and warehousing operation, would bring the company’s investment in Relay to approximately $50 million. The new brewery would be a home for new Guinness beers created for the US market, while the iconic Guinness Stouts will continue to be brewed at St. James’s Gate in Dublin, Ireland. Visitors would be able to tour the working brewery, sample experimental beers brewed on-site at the taproom, and purchase Guinness merchandise at the retail store. While finalization of these plans is still contingent on reaching agreement on several considerations, the project would represent a significant investment in Maryland in terms of economic development, job creation and tourism.

“Opening a Guinness brewery and visitor center in the US will enable us to collaborate with fellow brewers and interact with the vibrant community of beer drinkers,” stated Tom Day, President, Diageo Beer Company, USA. “Given the success of our Open Gate Brewery in Dublin and the popularity of beer tourism in the US, we are confident that Americans will welcome the opportunity to come experience Guinness brewing in Baltimore County. We appreciate the support we have received so far from state and local officials and look forward to continuing to contribute to the local community.”

The project would re-establish a Guinness brewery in the US after 63 years of absence. The new brewery and visitor experience would become part of Diageo’s production facility in Relay, site of the historic Calvert Distillery which opened in 1933. Relay was chosen as the preferred location for this project for several reasons, including the site’s proximity to major East Coast tourist and population hubs, availability of skilled employees, and space to build and adapt existing structures on the property. While many specifics are still being evaluated, it is estimated that this project could generate approximately 40 jobs in brewing, warehousing and an agile packaging operation, which may include canning, bottling and kegging. In addition, the Guinness visitor experience part of the project could create approximately 30 jobs. A significant number of construction jobs would likely also be created during the building phase, and the company would endeavor to hire as many local firms as possible to conduct this work.

“Guinness’ plan to build a brewery at its historic facility in Relay, MD is great news for job creation, manufacturing, and tourism in our state,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Beer tourism attracts millions of visitors to towns and communities across the country every year and I look forward to welcoming Guinness to the roster of excellent breweries we have here in Maryland.”

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot said, “Today’s announcement is an exciting development for Maryland’s thriving tourism industry and our state’s burgeoning, award-winning brewing sector. The Guinness facility will be a strong boost for our economy by creating good-paying jobs for Marylanders and by attracting visitors from across the region and the country. I am optimistic that all stakeholders will come together and work collaboratively with the General Assembly to ensure that this innovative project moves forward.”

“Baltimore County is thrilled that Diageo is reviving a historic building with the iconic Guinness brand. The brewery and tap house has all the hallmarks to become a popular tourist destination and will be a perfect complement to our local craft breweries,” said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.

Tom Quirk, Chair of the Baltimore County Council whose district encompasses the Relay site, stated, “More than just a brewery, this is a significant investment in our community that represents a new direction for the historic Relay facility. Leveraging Guinness’ 250 years of brewing heritage and capitalizing on its great location for welcoming visitors to Baltimore County, this will be a strong boost for tourism, not only in the county, but the entire region.”

President Jason Chorpenning of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 27, which currently represents employees at Diageo’s Relay facility, also expressed support, saying, “UFCW Local 27 is very excited about the prospect of a brewing operation in the Baltimore market, and the potential for more jobs and membership in our great local union. We wholly support any legislation necessary to make this opportunity happen, and we will work with Diageo to ensure the success of this endeavor.”

“As the largest Diageo beer distributor in the state of Maryland, we are very excited about today’s announcement by Diageo Beer Company USA to resurrect its facility in Relay and build a brewery,” said Evan Anthanas, President, Chesapeake Beverage. “Not only will this project help build the Guinness brand in Maryland, the tourism piece and brand experience planned for this project will certainly enhance Maryland’s beer industry and be a benefit to our retail customers.”

Prominent Maryland restaurateur, Mark Loundas of Bill Bateman’s Bistro commented, “What an exciting announcement for tourism in Baltimore County and the state of Maryland. I know that this Guinness brewery project will benefit the entire hospitality industry including hotels, beverage alcohol retailers and other tourist destinations throughout our region.”

Diageo hopes to receive approvals and to begin construction this spring with the goal of opening the brewery this fall to mark the 200th anniversary of Guinness being first imported into the US.

As reported in Diageo’s half-yearly financial results last week, Diageo Beer Company USA organic net sales increased 3%.

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

https://www.diageo.com/

Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA

About Guinness

The Guinness brand was established in 1759, when Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000 year lease on St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin. Brewed using four main ingredients, water, barley (malted & roasted), hops and yeast, Guinness is the world’s most popular stout. The iconic beer is brewed in 49 countries worldwide and sold in over 150 with almost 9 million glasses of Guinness enjoyed every day around the world. The most GUINNESS is sold in Great Britain, Ireland, USA, Nigeria and Cameroon. More information can be found at www.guinness.com.

https://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en

@homeofguinness

Wine Review: Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1989

Wine Review: Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1989
First Growth. Premier Grand Cru Classe in 1973

Special Occasion – celebrating a family member’s one-year anniversary. It’s a lovely Pauillac that has reached its plateau of maturity; notably dark ruby in colour; It has an engaging cedar and tobacco bouquet with hints of mint; not much fruit concentration; the palate follows suit – is medium-bodied and continues the aromatic theme of cedar and tobacco; demonstrates great persistence; well-defined – ‘old school’.

Drink now – 2030.

Tasted June 23, 2018.

95/100

 

Purchased Toronto LCBO Wine Auction 2011

Baffled by Wine Lists? You’re not alone…

A staggering 73% of Brits are intimidated by restaurant wine lists according to a recent study

A staggering 73% of Brits are intimidated by restaurant wine lists according to a recent study, while 58% don’t feel they have enough wine knowledge to order with confidence.

As reported by The Express, the study of over 2,000 people, run by Californian wine giant E&J Gallo’s Dark Horse brand, found that nearly three-quarters of Brits find restaurant wine tomes intimidating.

The study also found that 36% of participants weren’t sure what they had to look out for when a waiter passes them a taster of wine to try.

Encouragingly, Brits were found to spend £25 a bottle on dinner party wine, with one in ten splashing out £100 on a special occasion drop.

Disappointingly, however, 29% of participants admitted to only buying wine when it’s on offer, with 23% found to be creatures of habit that always buy wine from the same country or region.

Only 18% of those surveyed bought wine specifically to match the food that they’re eating. Wine personality Joe Wadsack, co-host of BBC show Food & Drink, has teamed up with Gallo in a bid to enlighten British wine drinkers.

“It’s amazing how far a little useful information can take you. Knowing what food tastes good with what sort of wine, and more importantly why, is very useful information to have,” he said.

“This is not just because it will increase your enjoyment of your food but more importantly because you will avoid matches that don’t work. Some food and wine combinations clash and can make the food taste downright odd and we don’t want that.

“The science of food and wine matching is more about avoiding howlers than slightly improving your meal,” he added.

Sources:
Drinks Business
The Express

 

Carlsberg uses molecular gastronomy to create “Beer Caviar”

In honor of this year’s World Cup, Carlsberg has created the world’s first beer caviar.

In honor of this year’s World Cup, Carlsberg has created the world’s first beer caviar.

“The last couple of years there has been a trend within molecular gastronomy to develop artificial caviar from natural ingredients with all kinds of flavors. We thought it would be fun to create caviar made from beer to give soccer fans a taste of Russia,” says Danish chef Umut Sakarya, who developed the Beer Caviar along with Carlsberg’s brewers.

Carlsberg is the official sponsor of the Danish national team, and is a beer that the brewery says, “most Danes view as part of their national cultural heritage.” Caviar has always been considered a traditional delicacy in Russia, the host of 2018 World Cup.

Beer caviar will help fans celebrate in moderation. “By combining drinking with eating, you drink less and slower,” says Wouter de Groot, a brand and PR lead at Carlsberg Group. “We hope our beer caviar will help us spread this important message.”

Danish innovation meets Russian tradition

Beer caviar combines both cultures into one single dish as a tribute to both countries.