Wines of Argentina Ends a “Successful Year”

Wines of Argentina (WofA) said it is well on its way to achieving the objectives set out in its business plan in August. The two-year plan centres on strengthening the global positioning of the country’s wine industry through digital marketing and generating business opportunities for its members.

It is focused on establishing a digital presence for Argentine wine (vino Argentino) “with much greater force”.

With Covid-19 curtailing travel opportunities, WofA has successful hosted over 50 digital events, reaching winemakers, educators, consumers and the trade, with the campaign particularly centred on the US and China.

In order to further strengthen its digital presence, WofA has partnered with software development company Globant. Globant will develop a digital global marketing strategy for WofA, adding technical capabilities and expertise to its offering.

Magdalena Pesce, marketing and communications manager at Wines of Argentina, states: “Digital tools have allowed us to consolidate the positioning of Argentine wine as never before, even in a highly atypical and challenging year. Our permanent commitment to education and digital communication has proven to be the way we must continue to be efficient in reaching different audiences around the world, effective in the use of our resources and, above all, mark a presence for Vino Argentino where international strategic audiences interact: digital ecosystems”.

It has also focused its attention on the Latin American market, particularly Brazil, Argentine wine’s third-largest market. WofA has carried out virtual events specifically targeted at the Brazilian market, including Virtual Business Round, which saw 28 wineries and 41 importers participate.

Training for Sommeliers Argentina 3D also hosted an educational program for somms based in Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Colombia and Paraguay. To strengthen its presence in the market, WofA launched a Spanish-language podcast focusing on the Mexican, Peruvian, Colombian and Paraguayan markets.

Maximiliano Hernández Toso, president of Wines of Argentina, said: “At WofA we are constantly looking for new languages ​​and means of communication to strengthen the positioning of Vino Argentino and increase its distribution and sales at an international level. Currently, this means promoting the use of digital platforms and from this trend a business plan has been in development for 4 months and has already shown strong results. We are encouraged to continue betting on this trend to make the most of the infinite possibilities of the digital world to achieve a greater objective: to boost exports.”

Seven Oregon Pinot Noirs Make Wine Spectator’s Top 100 List

Wine Spectator’s Annual Report names 100 of the best, most interesting wines in the world, with seven made in Oregon

Around this time every year since 1988, Wine Spectator gathers the best of the best wines its editors have tasted throughout the year, bestowing their favorite, most excellent wines made in or imported into the U.S. with a spot on the highly coveted “Top 100 list.” Oregon wines are often overrepresented on this prestigious list, garnering around five or six spots annually, or 5 or 6%, which is no small feat considering that Oregon accounts for far less than 1% of global wine production.

But in 2020, the number of Oregon wines set a new record in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list with seven Oregon Pinot noirs earning their way on to this list. Put another way, this means 7% of the most exciting wines in the entire world are made in Oregon.

How hard is it to get onto Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list?
The magazine receives about 11,000 wines each year for evaluation, so the odds of getting on this list are more than 100 to 1.

According to Wine Spectator, “Our selection prioritizes quality (based on score), value (based on price) and availability (based on the number of cases either made or imported into the United States). These criteria are applied to the wines that rated outstanding (90 points or higher on Wine Spectator’s 100-point scale) each year to determine our Top 100…These wines are a diverse group—ranging from emerging labels and regions to traditional estates exploring new directions—and all generate the excitement we call the “X-factor.”

Winners this year include a top ten entry, Beaux Freres Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge The Beaux Frères Vineyard 2018 with a score of 95, (the Beaux Frères Vineyard pictured above, photo by Carey Critchlow). Senior Editor Tim Fish described this wine as “A wine of presence and expression, impeccably structured yet elegantly layered, with evocative raspberry, rose petal and brown baking spice notes that pick up richness and tension toward fine-grained tannins.”

The other six winners and their respective spots on the list plus ratings are below. According to the magazine, a rating of 95-100 is deemed as a “Classic.” and a wine rated with a 90-94 is “Outstanding.”

#19: Résonance Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2017, 93

#29: The Four Graces Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Reserve, 2017, 94

#33: Ken Wright Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, 2017, 91

#37: Bergström Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Cumberland Reserve, 2018, 94

#64: La Crema Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2018, 92

#79: Stoller Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2018, 90

“Placing a record seven Oregon wines among the world’s Top 100, and five in the top 40, is welcome recognition for Oregon and a reflection of the exceptional fruit and winemaking talent here,” notes Oregon Wine Board President Tom Danowski.

Stoller Family Estate appeared for the first time on this list in 2020, and the designation is not lost on founder and owner Bill Stoller. “Wine Spectator is one of the most influential publications in our industry, and it’s an incredible honor to earn a spot on its Top 100 list,” he said. “Our Vice President of Winemaking, Melissa Burr, has been honing her craft over the last 15 years. She created an everyday Pinot Noir that embodies the spirit and complexity of our region. To have our 2018 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir place alongside some of the best in the world is a testament to Melissa and her team’s dedication.”

Christmas Wine: Chateau Palmer 2001

Christmas Wine: Chateau Palmer 2001

Margaux, France
Merlot 44% Cabernet Sauvignon 51% Petit Verdot 5%

Tasting Notes:
Stunning deep ruby; introverted nose at first instance and slowly opens up revealing various wood and spice aromas  with hints of ripe black fruits and mocha; on the palate the fruit is exquisite, with hints of herbs and tobacco, the tanks are subtle; good structure, well balanced and mellow long finish.

[decanted 2 hours before]

Ready to drink but still can keep for a few more years

93 points

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#chateaupalmer #christmaswine #investmentwine #wineinvestment

#wineinvestor #christmas #womeninwinetalks #womeninwine

Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte and Champagne Castelnau Announce Merger

The Boards of Directors of Centre Vinicole – Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte (CV-CNF) and the Coopérative Régionale des Vins de Champagne Castelnau (C.R.V.C) agreed on the action in order to “strengthen the cooperative movement in the Champagne region”.

The move is subject to a vote at the AGM of both companies in June 2021.Once approved, a new name will be created.

CV-CNF and CRVC represent over 6,000 growers in the French region. Nicolas Feuillatte is the largest producer in the region before this merger was announced. “Our grower families will be proud to back this new cooperative project. Our vision of the future and determination will safeguard the social and federating values of our community of local winegrowers,” said Fabrice Collin, C.R.V.C’s chairman.

Véronique Blin, chairwoman of the CV-CNF, said: “This merger represents the place where our common destiny will take shape, where together we will find the impetus to breathe new life into the Champagne vineyard, and from which we will emerge stronger and more together.”

 

Details of Cité des vins et des Climats in Beaune are Revealed

The building permit for the Cité des Vins & des Climats de Bourgogne in Beaune was issued on November 24 at the City of Beaune.

This new step is a great satisfaction for the project teams who have been working for several months to design and build this emblematic building which will notably host the next Center for the Interpretation of Climates in the Burgundy Vineyard.

Located at the Portes de Beaune, and designed by Emmanuelle Andreani, architect (SIZ’-IX agency).  The architectural design will symbolize by its curves the tendril of the vine, which winds firmly around the trellis wire.  The “tendril” will be anchored to the ground by a dry-stone wall then will rise towards the panoramic belvedere terrace 24 meters high to appreciate a 360 ° landscape.

The Cité des vins et des Climats de Bourgogne in Beaune will be located in the heart of the city’s new Biodivercity®-labeled urban and landscaping district, just a stone’s throw from the Palais des Congrès. Modern, ecological, and distinctly human, it will feature an upscale hotel, restaurants, a luxury wine-focused shopping mall, an events hall, and a large landscaped park.

The ground floor of the Cité, covering 1,100m2, will be solely dedicated to the discovery of the wines and Climats of Bourgogne.

Visitors will be able to explore exhibits organized according to three major themes, with an estimated visitor time of 90 minutes:

– The Bourgogne region’s history, soil, territories, etc.

– The plots and Climats; this unique model for terroir viticulture

– The grapes and the wine; single varietals, vinification, barrel making, aromas, and tasting

The Cité in Beaune will help promote the Climats of the Bourgogne region, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. As such, it will be the center for discovering the Climats of Bourgogne, which will have a dedicated space within the visitor trail. The uniqueness of the exhibition lies in establishing the right balance between scenography, museography, and a pleasing visitor experience.

The preparatory work will begin at the end of 2020, with an official start at the end of January 2021.