Domaine Lafage (Roussillon) first to start harvest in France

Jean-Marc Lafage, renowned winemaker from Roussillon’s Domaine Lafage, made history as the first producer to start harvesting in France this year. Lafage’s picking season commenced August 2nd in what has been a particularly dry year for the region. Despite the challenges posed by the drought, Jean-Marc remains optimistic about the quality of their harvest.

The first grapes to be harvested were Muscat à Petits Grains – these are used to create a lower-alcohol dry white blend called Miraflors. This blend also includes Macabeo and Colombard grapes, resulting in a wine with an ABV of approximately 10.2%. Lafage describes Miraflors as having a slight fizz, creating a light and refreshing style.

Regarding the growing conditions this year, Lafage notes that Roussillon experienced a severe drought. The region received only a third of its average rainfall over the past 20 years, with Domaine Lafage recording a total of just 200mm for 2023. However, Lafage states that their vineyards near the sea or high in the mountains fared relatively well.

In contrast, vineyards in areas between the coast and mountains, which traditionally produce fortified wines, faced significant challenges. Lafage anticipates losing up to 60% of the crop in these vineyards. But where regenerative viticulture techniques have been applied, such as permanent ground cover and no tilling of the soil, yields are expected to be higher.

Lafage highlights the success they have observed in vineyards practicing regenerative viticulture and utilizing biochar and cover crops. He states, “In these places, instead of losing 60% of the crop [due to desiccation], we are seeing maybe a 25-30% reduction [in yields], and we see fresh grapes and bigger berries.” The presence of a cover crop has resulted in berries that are nearly twice the size compared to other areas, weighing around 0.8-1 grams per berry compared to 0.5g elsewhere. Lafage attributes this difference to the ability of the cover crop and biochar to help the soil retain water.

In terms of quality, Lafage believes that in vineyards where the vines did not suffer excessive heat stress, they may harvest the best grapes they have ever had. Furthermore, these fully ripe berries have achieved lower sugar levels, resulting in an ABV of 12.5% to 13% yet retaining the same flavor as fruit that would typically be harvested at 14-15.5% ABV.

Lafage also notes that their vineyards in Roussillon have been fortunate to not experience mildew, unlike other parts of France such as Gascony and Bordeaux. The constant wind and arid conditions in the area have helped protect the vines.

UNWTO Sets Spotlight on Tourism Investment in the Americas

UNWTO further strengthened its cooperation with the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean as it brought together public and private sector leaders to advance investments in the tourism sector.

Against the backdrop of the meeting of its 68th Regional Commission for the Americas, June 30th, 2023 in Quito, Ecuador, UNWTO hosted the Seminar on Sustainable Investments to explore the main challenges and opportunities around this topic in the region, and here are some of the main points.

Tourism Investments: A defining priority

The latest data from UNWTO shows that tourism in the Americas is steadily recovering, with international arrivals reaching 86% of 2019 levels by the end of the first quarter of this year. Moreover, foreign direct investment (FDI) in the tourism sector, which had experienced a decline, is now showing signs of revitalization:

Registered projects investment projects rose by 185% between 2022 2021. These projects accounted for a total value of 192.6 billion USD, reflecting rising investor confidence in the region’s potential.

Additionally, in 2021, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) surged to US$134 billion, a 56% year-on-year increase, reclaiming a substantial portion of the ground lost in 2020.  …continues at … https://www.unwto.org/news/unwto-puts-spotlight-on-tourism-investment-in-the-americas

 

Current State of the World Vine and Wine Sector [Web Conference]

The Director General of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, Pau Roca, will review the current situation of the vitivinicultural sector at a global scale on

Thursday, April 20th  3 PM CET

with presentations and data on: World Wine Trade, World Wine Consumption, and World Wine Production.

The OIV is the intergovernmental organization of a scientific and technical nature of recognized competence for its work concerning vines, wine, wine-based beverages, table grapes, raisins and other vine-based products. It is composed of 49 Member States.

Web Conference:
Register to attend https://bit.ly/3MUDWWT

#wine #winelovers #winetrade #winenews #winebusiness #wineeconomics  #wineindustry #winetasting #vines #oiv #vinho #enologia #vitivinicultura #viticultura #viticulture #vine #news #trending

 

The British Consulate General [Toronto] Announces U.K. Government’s new “Women and Girls Strategy” on International Women’s Day

In honor of International Women’s Day Greg Quinn, the British Consulate General [Toronto] officially launched the U.K. Government’s new “Women and Girls Strategy” at a reception at the National Club.

Here is the outline of the policy that The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will use, along with the details and strategy that was outlined in Consul Greg Quinn’s speech:

The scale of the Strategy’s ambition reflects the increase in threats to gender equality and women and girls. Climate change, crises, and conflict disproportionately affect women and girls.

Attempts to hold back women’s and girls’ rights have gained momentum and are amplified online. Hard-won gains are threatened, and there is escalating instability.

The Strategy will be guided by 5 principles. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) will:

* stand up and speak out for women’s and girls’ rights and freedoms on the global stage and in bilateral relationships;

* embolden and amplify the work and voices of diverse grassroots women’s organizations and movements, championing their role as important agents for change;

* target investment towards the main life stages for women and girls to maximize our effectiveness and secure life-long and intergenerational impact;

* act for and with women and girls impacted by crises and shocks, including conflict, global health, climate change, violence, food insecurity and malnutrition, and the resulting humanitarian crises; and

* strengthen political, economic and social systems that play an important role in protecting and empowering women and girls, embracing innovative financing models and technology use to secure long-term development.

The FCDO will focus on the 3 thematic priorities:

* educating girls;

* empowering women and girls, championing their health and rights;  and

* ending gender-based violence

To achieve FCDO’s ambitions, the Strategy sets out 3 goals: to enable the conversation, lead by example and lead through knowledge.

The “Women and Girls Strategy paper can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-women-and-girls-strategy-2023-to-2030

In attendance were other Consulate representatives and a number of local women’s organizations.

What a moving and wonderful way to come together and celebrate International Women’s Day!

 

Irish whiskey category is expected to grow in the next few years

Global Irish whiskey volumes are estimated to increase, according to a recent research report by Technavio. The research data has identified that between 2021 to 2026, the global Irish whiskey category will grow by US$1.54 billion. It is also anticipated that the category’s momentum will “decelerate at a CAGR of 5.33% during the forecast period”.

The report includes financial performances, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, and growth in market share, and has found that the Irish whiskey category is “concentrated” among “a few prominent vendors”.

According to Technavio, the Irish whiskey category is “subject to rapidly changing consumer demands and preferences” and many of the “major vendors are focusing on acquiring smaller brands to increase their market presence”.

The report further details how the Irish whiskey category’s growth is being driven by the “increasing demand for premium whiskey” i.e., Micil Distillery has launched two new Irish whiskeys, namely Micil Inverin small blended Irish whiskey, and Micil Earls Island Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.

Additionally, the findings set out how the “increasing demand for craft whiskey is a key trend in the market” since “it is perceived to be made with high-quality ingredients and has a better taste”. For instance, in November 2020, Craft Irish Whiskey Co. launched a new limited-edition Irish whiskey called The Taoscán Irish Whiskey.

#IrishWhiskey #Whiskey #IrishWhiskeyLovers #potstill #instawhiskey #instadram #whiskeygram #whiskeytime #whiskeylover #instawhiskey #peated #irishdistillers #Whiskeylover #tourism