The European Commission publishes harmonized oenological practices authorized in the EU

The European Commission published December 5 2019, in all EU languages, the detailed files of the International Organisation of the Vine and Wine code of oenological practices.

The oenological practices are defined, their objectives highlighted, as well as their conditions of use and the types of wines to which they apply. They include various types of fermentation and ways to acidify or de-acidify wine.

The European Commission stated that the object was to make the regulations “easier to read and to understand”, allowing winemakers to quickly comprehend the practices that are authorized in the EU.

The guidelines were the “last step” in the process of aligning EU wine legislation to the Lisbon Treaty. They simplify the requirements necessary to make wine for sale in the EU while increasing the consistency between both the EU permitted oenological practices and the international code of approved procedures published by the OIV.

The June update amended the regulations surrounding the presentation and labeling of wine, authorizations for vine planting, checks to avoid fraud in the wine industry, vineyard registers, and documents needed to accompany imports and exports.

The European Commission’s new 63-page document lists common winemaking procedures, giving their definition, objectives and permitted EU prescriptions.

The document covers topics including carbonic maceration, use of sulfites, controlled oxygenation, tirage, acidification and de-acidification, fining and filtering procedures, and stabilization and pasteurization techniques.

 

 

The English version of the document can be viewed here:

 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:C:2019:409:FULL&from=EN

Volume 62 English Edition Information and Notices
5 December 2019

Corby Spirit & Wine teams up with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) for New Year’s

For the seventh consecutive year, the TTC is partnering with Corby Spirit and Wine to help New Years’ partygoers stay safe, by providing a night of complementary TTC rides. Starting December 31st after 7 p.m., all TTC streetcars, buses and subways will be free of charge until 7 a.m. on January 1st.

Corby Spirit & Wine also promotes responsible drinking through this partnership by various activations and messages through its website and social media. For more information about Corby Safe Rides and for a chance to win one of 10 prizes of a year of free TTC transportation, visit CorbySafeRides.ca and engage on social media using the hashtag #CorbySafeRides.

“New Years’ Eve is one of the most celebrated nights of the year and we want to do our part in helping people get home safe,” said Corby CEO Patrick O’Driscoll. “For the last seven years, we’ve provided over 1.2m rides to Torontonians, keeping our streets safe on one of the biggest party nights on the calendar.

“We could not be more proud of this partnership and its results keeping people from driving when they have been drinking.”

Corby:  https://corby.ca/en/

Toronto Transit Commission: http://www.ttc.ca

 

 

 

 

 

Michelin Guide Acquires Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Michelin bought a 40% stake in the Wine Advocate back in 2017 and their full commitment to expanding into wine was realized this year. Nicolas Achard, CEO of Wine Advocate and as Managing Director of Michelin Experience Asia, announced last Friday in New York, with respect to full ownership, “We got to know each other for the past two years before we decided to complete the acquisition and we realized that Michelin and the Wine Advocate had the same culture in regards to the importance of their independence [from the restaurants/hotels and wineries they are reviewing].”

Achard further states that both companies also follow a rigorous methodology when it came to giving Michelin stars or Robert Parker Wine Advocate scores.  He goes on to say “Leading RPWA’s passionate teams is not only thrilling, but also an incredible opportunity to combine the strengths of the Michelin Guide and The Wine Advocate.”

The full integration would ensure, “long-term synergies between oenology and gastronomy through the pursuit of experiences based on food and wine pairing, as well as the creation of new digital content and services”.

California Wine Institute announces Danielle Giroux as new Director for California Wines Canada

The California Wine Institute announced yesterday the appointment of Danielle Giroux as its new Director of California Wines Canada, responsible for marketing and promotion in the largest single-country market for California wines. Giroux brings 15 years of wine industry sales and marketing experience to the role, including marketing and communications strategy, brand development and event management. She recently served as Vice President, Marketing at Colio Estate.

“This is an exciting time for California wines. We are well-positioned to grow and prosper to the benefit of our member wineries, our trade partners and wine lovers around the world who are fans of California wines,” said Honore Comfort, Vice President of International Marketing for Wine Institute. “Danielle’s experience and knowledge of the Canadian market will bring momentum to plans to grow sales and market share over the next several years.”

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead the California wines team in Canada,” said Giroux. “Wine Institute has built a solid foundation for California wines in Canada over the past few decades and I’m excited to be part of the next chapter.”

Giroux replaces Rick Slomka who will be retiring in June after more than 26 years representing the wines of the Golden State. Giroux will be starting her new role at the beginning of January 2020.

According to the wine association, Canadian sales of US wine, 95% of which hail from California, totalled around 6m cases last year, amounting to a retail value of more than US$1bn.

2019 Irish Whiskey Awards

The Irish whiskey industry celebrated the 2019 Irish Whiskey Awards a few weeks ago.

Historic producers, emerging producers, and bars were honoured and celebrated October 17th at the Dingle Distillery, County Kerry. The keynote speaker was Colum Egan, Master Distiller for Bushmills Distillery, previous chairman of the Irish Whiskey Association.

According to the Irish Whiskey Association, there are 25 whiskey distilleries in operation in Ireland, the largest number of Irish whiskey distilleries since the late 19th century. Yearly shipments are now over 20 million cases.

The biggest winner, taking the overall prize for Best Irish Whiskey of the Year, was The Irishman 17-year-old. Though The Irishman offers a number of expressions, the 17-year-old ages the longest; a single malt that spends 17 years in a single Sherry cask. This whiskey also claimed the top prize for the Best Irish Single Cask Whiskey.

Other winners include Jameson for the Best Irish Blended Whiskey Under $66 for its Jameson Black Barrel, and the Best Irish Blended Whiskey Over $66 for its Jameson 18-Year-Old Bow Street.

Awards were handed out in 19 categories, which included one winner and two gold medal runners up in each category.  The event also named the best Irish whiskey bars for all four Irish provinces.

The winner for Best Irish Whiskey Bar of the Year (International) is a name any American fan of Irish whiskey is sure to recognize New York City’s The Dead Rabbit.

Here is the complete list of winners on the Irish Whiskey Awards website:
https://www.irishwhiskeyawards.com/news/82-2017-winners-of-the-irish-whiskey-awards.html