Gérard Bertrand Launches Organic Orange Wine “Orange Gold”

Languedoc producer Gérard Bertrand has launched his first organic orange wine, which aims to blend Georgian tradition with a southern French modern twist.

Orange Gold 2020 is Gérard Bertrand’s first orange wine called “Orange Gold.” The wine is made from a blend of Chardonnay, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Marsanne, Mauzac and Muscat.

Bertrand was inspired to create a modern, fresher expression that respected Georgian traditions.

Chosen for their aromatic complexity, the six grapes used to make the wine are fermented in whole bunches on their skins to add colour and tannin to the wine.

According to Bertrand, Orange Gold has “an unusual profile and remarkable finesse and subtlety, reflecting the vibrancy, minerality and freshness of the south of France.”

The aromas you will find in the wine are white flowers, candied fruit, grapefruit, orange water and white pepper. Bertrand is very proud of the wine’s “light bitterness” on the finish, which he believes “whets” the appetite.

“Orange Gold was bottled a week ago and I’m very proud of it. I’ve tried a lot of different orange wines from around the world, some of which I enjoyed, others I was disappointed by,” Bertrand said.

“I wanted to create an orange wine that blended the tradition of the Georgians with the modernity of the South of France, so it sees oak and stainless steel.”

Bertrand believes the wine offers a new taste experience and pairs well with hard cheeses and spicy dishes. Orange Gold 2020 is on sale via the Gérard Bertrand website priced at €12.50 a bottle.

“Human beings have forgotten that nature has given us the chance to be here. We feel like we’re the king of the world now, which is not true. We created the brand to put nature first again, which is what we need to do,” Bertrand said.

 

 

Wine News: Bourgogne wines held up on the International Market in 2020

BIVB has announced their 2020 export report –  After a very good November in terms of volumes, exports of Bourgogne wines over the first 11 months of 2020 were slightly higher than over the same period in 2019 (up 0.5%), confirming a trend already witnessed in October. Revenue was also close to the record level seen in 2019, down just 2.6% by the end of November, having recovered from being down 9% just a month previously.

However, these figures should be set within a sluggish economy, impacted by both COVID and the 25% Boeing/Airbus tax, which severely penalized sales to the United States, down 14% by volume and 21% in terms of revenue, representing a loss of some €44 million. However, with volumes up 16% equating to 2.2 million bottles, the British market almost entirely offset the loss in volumes from the United States and once again became the leading export destination for Bourgogne wines.

Several territories saw big upticks in numbers, like Sweden, up 18.4% by volume and 14.2% in terms of revenue compared to the same period in 2019, and Denmark, up 24% by volume and 25.6% for revenue. Others enjoyed more moderate growth but for big volumes, like Canada (up 6.4% by volume and 6% in terms of revenue) and Belgium (1.2% and 5.5% respectively).

In France, Bourgogne wines grew their position in the retail sector, up 4.7% by volume and 5.7% in terms of revenue over the first 10 months of 2019, thanks in particular to their popularity in convenience stores and via click-and-collect. As yet, there is no data regarding the restaurant sector, which is in free-fall, or for wine stores that are enjoying a boom.

#winenews #wineeconomics #wineexports #frenchwine #Burgognewines #winesales #winemarketing #winelovers #wine #bivb #burgundy #winetrends

 

The INAO approved six new grape varieties in Bordeaux

The Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité (INAO) has officially approved the use of six new varieties in Bordeaux, which were first proposed in 2019.

The French agricultural governing body has approved the use of four new red varieties, as follows: Arinarnoa, Castets, Marselan and Touriga Nacional, and two white varieties: Alvarinho and Liliorila; with plantings authorized for 2021.

The varieties were put forward by winemakers in the Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur AOCs (not Pauillac and Margaux ) in the summer of 2019, as a potential means of dealing with different growth cycles and ripening periods, in the face of a changing climate.

Scientists in Bordeaux looked at fifty-two varieties for potential future use before settling on the final six which were considered particularly suitable for their ability to handle hydric stress and for being later ripening.

When plantings begin, the new varieties will be limited to just 5% of an estate’s total surface area and no more than 10% of the blend in either red or white.

These new varieties will sit alongside the already permitted varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Carménère, Petit Verdot for red – and Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Muscadelle, Colombard, Ugni Blanc, Merlot Blanc and Mauzac for white.

The 35th Chablis Wine Competition: the results are in

The 35th edition of the Chablis Wine Competition was held, over the weekend, in Beine, at the Salle des Beauroy, on January 23, 2021.  The competition followed a strict protocol and health measures ensuring the taster’s safety.

This year, the competition focused on the 2019 vintage for the Petit Chablis, Chablis and Chablis Premier Cru appellations and on vintage 2018 for Chablis Grand Cru.

Organized by the Chablis tourist office and the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB), a distinctive feature of the event is that professionals having submitted wine samples may not become members of the jury. The tasters were journalists, restaurateurs, sommeliers, wine brokers, oenologists and enlightened amateurs.

The tasting goes through two stages:

Stage 1- the samples that received the best marks when tasted by all the jurors in the first round;

Stage 2 – then gets submitted to the Grand Jury, which alone can award medals.

The winning wines will be ambassadors for Chablis for 2021, and will be featured by the

Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) in its promotional events both domestically and abroad.

By the Numbers

35th Chablis Wine Competition

Number of samples: 321

Number of tasters: 46

Number of estates or producers represented: 77

Number of medal-winning wines: 27

 

list of Winning Wines

Petit Chablis 2019

Gold medal

William FEVRE
Domaine JOLLY et Fils

Silver medal

Domaine de LA TOUR
Domaine Vincent WENGIER

Bronze medal

Domaine Alain GEOFFROY

Nominated wines:

BILLAUD-SIMON
Domaine Sébastien DAMPT, Terroir de Fyé
GARNIER et Fils
Domaine MOSNIER
Domaine SERVIN

Chablis 2019

Gold medal

MOREAU et Fils
Domaine de LA TOUR
Domaine Guillaume VRIGNAUD, Les Champréaux

Silver medal

Domaine de la MOTTE, Vieilles Vignes, Cuvée L’Authentique
Domaine VENTOURA

Nominated wines:

Domaine de BIEVILLE
Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoît DROIN
GARNIER et Fils
Domaine Céline et Frédéric GUEGUEN
Domaine LONG-DEPAQUIT
Domaine SOUPÉ, Les Doyennes

Chablis Premier Cru 2019, Left Bank

Gold medal
Domaine de la MOTTE, Beauroy
Domaine Guy ROBIN, Vieilles Vignes, Vaillons
Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoît DROIN, Vosgros

Silver medal
Domaine MOSNIER, Beauroy
Domaine PINSON, Montmains
Maison SIMONNET-FEBVRE, Montmains

Bronze medal
Domaine des Hâtes, Butteaux
Maison HENRY, Vaillons

Nominated wines:
Domaine Gérard TREMBLAY, Beauroy
Domaine DUPRÉ, Butteaux
Domaine DE LA TOUR, Côte de Cuissy
Jean COLLET et Fils, Montmains
Domaine Guy ROBIN, Vieilles Vignes, Montmains
Domaine CHEVALLIER, Montmains
MOREAU et Fils, Vaillons
Domaine VOCORET et Fils, Vaillons
Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoît DROIN, Vaillons
Domaine Daniel DAMPT et Fils, Vaillons
Domaine Céline et Frédéric GUEGUEN, Vosgros

Chablis Premier Cru 2019, Right Bank

Gold medal

Domaine du COLOMBIER, Vaucoupin
Domaine GAUTHERON Alain et Cyril, Vaucoupin

Silver medal

La CHABLISIENNE, Vaulorent
Domaine des MALANDES, Fourchaume

Bronze medal

Domaine Jean JACQUIN et Fils, Montée de Tonnerre

Nominated wines:

Domaine du COLOMBIER, Fourchaume
Domaine Guillaume VRIGNAUD, Fourchaume
La Chablisienne, Mont de Milieu
Jean COLLET et Fils, Mont de Milieu
Domaine VENTOURA, Mont de Milieu
Domaine SERVIN, Montée de Tonnerre
MOREAU et Fils, Vaucoupin
Domaine GAUTHERON Alain et Cyril, Vaucoupin
Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoît DROIN, Vaulorent

Chablis Grand Cru 2018 

Gold medal

Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoît DROIN, Vaudésir

Silver medal

Domaine VOCORET et Fils, Blanchot
Domaine VOCORET et Fils, Les Clos

Bronze medal

Domaine SERVIN, Blanchot

Nominated wines:

Domaine PINSON, Les Clos
Domaine BILLAUD-SIMON, Preuses
Maison SIMONNET-FEBVRE, Preuses
Domaine Guy ROBIN, Valmur
Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoît DROIN, Valmur

Wine Not? American Airlines Launches Flagship Cellars, an at-home Wine Experience

Each year, a dedicated team of wine experts carefully reviews 2,000 bottles to select wines that will join the award-winning American Airlines wine program. For the first time you can enjoy these premium wines by having them delivered straight to their door with American’s new Flagship® Cellars at-home wine experience.

American Airlines has built a reputation for its thoughtful selection of award-winning wines that represent unique regions and flavors from around the world. “Flagship Cellars” is a wine passport to the world with flexible wine subscriptions or build-your-own case options. The curated collection features exclusive ultra-premium wines at a lower price and with AAdvantage® mileage benefits.

“For wine lovers around the world, wine provides a deeper connection to the places they enjoy visiting,” said Alison Taylor, Chief Customer Officer at American. “We created Flagship Cellars to provide more ways for customers to enjoy our Flagship wine even if they aren’t flying in one of our premium cabins.”

How the Flagship Cellars wine experience works:

American Airlines will hand-pick wines from its Flagship wine collection, chosen by an award-winning master sommelier exclusively for American.

Anyone 21 years or older can select their wine preferences at vinesse.com/flagshipcellars.

Customers can select from curated collections of mixed wines, build their own custom box, or purchase a monthly wine subscription that includes three prestigious wines for $99.99 USD, which includes delivery.

Subscriptions may be for a limited time (while supplies last) and can be canceled at any time. The introductory offer includes an extra complimentary bottle of wine. Program and availability limitations on orders vary by state.

In addition, members of the American Airlines AAdvantage® loyalty program can earn two miles per dollar spent on every order when they provide their AAdvantage number during checkout (excluding taxes, shipping and fees). Not an AAdvantage member? Join for free at aa.com/loyalty/enrollment/enroll.

Wines considered for the American Airlines wine program undergo a thorough process. Twice a year, the wine experts identify top selections based on their notes and historical data on what has been most popular with customers around the world. The team meets with its award-winning master sommelier to blind taste wines before presenting final options to a variety of American team members to solicit feedback and identify which wines are best suited for onboard and in lounges.

American has more Global Traveler Wines on the Wing awards than any other U.S. carrier, including four first-place wins in the past year. Since 2015, American has been the top airline for first- and business-class wines in North America.