Category: Wine News

The “2022 World’s Best Vineyards” revealed last night

World’s Best Vineyards has revealed this year’s top wine destinations for 2022 at an event held last night in Argentina’s wine capital, Mendoza. The annual list which highlights the world’s finest and most diverse vineyards across the globe announced the Top 50 with the innovative Antinori nel Chianti Classico in Tuscany, Italy, topping the list for the first time. Italy also celebrated the highest climber accolade with sparkling wine producer Ferrari Trento moving 50 places up the list to 11.

Spain’s Bodegas de los Herederos del Marqués de Riscal with its longstanding history and breathtaking architecture took second place for two years in a row, whilst Chilean vineyards, Montes and VIK Winery, achieved third and fourth place. Montes also took continent winner for South America, with Robert Mondavi Winery which is described as the ‘soul of Napa Valley’ topping North America. The best in Africa was revealed as Creation in South Africa, whilst Henschke in Australia topped the list with the stunning winery in the Eden Valley. France and Portugal had the highest overall split of vineyards with each taking 11 spots on this year’s Top 100 list.

The 2022 list includes more countries than ever before with 20 from all six continents being featured. It also includes exciting first-time entrants from India, Bulgaria and Greece highlighting the recent growth in the industry. There were more English entries than ever before with Balfour Winery (78), Gusbourne (85) and Nyetimber (93) joining Ridgeview at number 73.

This year’s host, Zuccardi Valle de Uco has been promoted to the World’s Best Vineyard’s Hall of Fame after coming top of the list three years in a row. Going forward the new category will be formed of vineyards that top the annual vote of the World’s 50 Best Vineyards and are therefore no longer eligible to be voted for on new editions of the list.

Andrew Reed, Managing Director Wine and Exhibitions at William Reed, commented that, “The World’s Best Vineyards highlights wine tourism destinations around the globe and now that travel is back on the cards, this year’s list is more important than ever for raising profiles with tourists and those looking for authentic and unique trips. We are so pleased to have been able to travel to Mendoza for this year’s event. It is a place of extraordinary beauty and of course, lots of amazing vineyards – the perfect wine tourism destination. Gracias!”

Dr Nora Vicario, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Province of Mendoza, said that: “We were thrilled to be able to host this year’s World’s Best Vineyards event in Mendoza. Here you can breathe in wine and a culture unlike anywhere else in the world. It is one of the great wine capitals and the combination of mountains, wine and ever-increasing diversity and innovation makes it a perfect travel destination. Congratulations to all the wineries listed this year!”

Congratulations to all the vineyards and estates. Here is a list of the top 50 winners:

1 @marchesiantinori
2 @marquesderiscal
3 @monteswines
4 @vik_wine
5 @schlossjohannisberg
6 @bodegastiopepe
7 @robertmondavi
8 @quintadocrasto
9 @catenawines
10 @bodegagarzon
11 @ferraritrento
12 @champagne_billecart_salmon
13 @smithhautlafitte
14 @dr.loosen
15 @champagnetaittinger
16 @quinta_soalheiro
17 @trapichewines
18 @closapalta
19 @aveledawines
20 @domaenewachau
21 @elenemigowines
22 @chateaumoutonrothschild_
23 @yquem
24 @opusonewinery
25 @salenteinbodega
26 @chateaupapeclement
27 @pichonbaron
28 @quintadoinfantado
29 @abadiaretuerta_
30 @casasdelbosque
31 @quinta_da_pacheca
32 @viumanentwinery
33 @ruinart
34 @familiatorreswines
35 @chateauhautbrion_
36 @henschke
37 @quintadobomfim
38 @creationwines
39 @kleinconstantia
40 @estate_argyros
41 @craggyrange
42 @quinta_nova
43 @chateaudeberne
44 @vivancoculturadevino
45 @donnafugatawine
46 @jordanwinery
47 @tokarawine
48 @quintadonoval_official
49 @penfolds
50 @winery.schlossgobelsburg

The top vineyards list can be found on www.worldsbestvineyards.com

#worldsbestvineyards2022 #worldsbestvineyards #awards #winetourism #vineyards #wine #winelovers #winery #bestwineries #winesoftheworld

The Sweet White Wines of Bordeaux

Bordeaux has been producing sweet white wines since 1630 and at that time were considered an after-dinner drink by wealthy landowners who liked the sweet style. Recently these wines have become popular again among younger consumers, gourmands, and chefs.

The Grands Vins Liquoreux de Bordeaux or Union des Grands vins de Bordeaux Sweet was established in 2009. There are eight appellations and based on terroir, each focuses on a different interpretation of sweetness:

  • AOP Cadillac – Sweet and subtle
  • AOP Loupiac – Sweet and sensual
  • AOP Saint Croix-du-Mont – Sweet and generous
  • AOP Saint-Macaire – Sweet and tangy, medium sweet
  • AOP Bordeaux Superior – Sweet and diaphanous
  • AOP Bordeaux Moelleux – Sweet and fresh
  • AOP Cerons – Sweet and refined
  • AOP Premiers Cotes de Bordeaux – Sweet and elegant

Grape Varieties

The sweet white wines of Bordeaux tend to be a blend of Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes. Semillon is the main grape varietal used; they have thin skins, and they easily get infected with Botrytis fungus. Semillon also adds texture to the wines.  Sauvignon Blanc adds acidity and crispness to the wines. Muscadelle adds floral aromas to the wine blend.

What makes this wine different from other dessert wines is noble rot. This rot is caused by the fungus Botrytis Cinerea, which increases the wine’s natural sweetness.

Botrytis Cinerea

This starts in the vineyard, and the winemakers in these eight appellations are world-renown for their mastery in producing these wonderful wines.  Also known as “Noble Rot”. Botrytis is a unique kind of fungus that affects the Semillon grape during fall season and before harvest. The affected grapes are sticky and full of aromatics, maintaining a shriveled appearance that evolves over time.

How this fungus attacks the grape clusters, and the length of time it takes to infiltrate the cell structure has a substantial effect on the aromas and flavors. As Botrytis spores expand, it depletes the juice from the grapes by 50%. While this improves the sugar concentration of the grape quite measurably, it also results in specific aromas coming from this” newly” crystallized fruit.

This is a natural process and it’s very rare that Botrytis will affect an entire grape cluster uniformly. Therefore, harvests are done by hand, over several passes sometimes 4-5 times, over days or weeks.

I was in the vineyards a few weeks ago and did a first pass picking for three rows.  A second, third/fourth pass will occur some days later in order to finish picking the cluster.

I found out that the grape pickers hired must have experience to recognize a botrytis-affected grape and to know they are ready to be picked. This meticulous process has been refined for over 400 years.

This process is also called “successive selection” or “sorting”. This particular harvest process results in extremely low grape yields.

The Terroir

For Botrytis to affect the grapes both the soil composition and weather are equally important. These semi-sweet wines benefit from soils that are chalky with limestone, clay, gravel, and sand. There are also numerous microclimates, facilitated by the location of both the Garonne and Ciron rivers.

An essential element to the onset of Botrytis is the early morning mist, which I also witnessed a few weeks ago. What a magical moment!  The mist appears exclusively in the fall season, preceding harvest. Usually by mid-day with much of the mist has been burned off by the sun.

The Numbers

There are 8 Appellations

1,800 Hectares of Vines [surface area]

350 Estates

1% of Bordeaux Volumes

2% of Bordeaux Area

84,000 Hectoliters Produced

9 Million Bottles Produced Each Year

38 % is Exported

 

@charmeu_usa @charmeu_canada and @vinsblancsdebordeaux_usa #loupiac #enjoyitsfromeurope #euAgriPromo #MadeintheEU #thecharmingtasteofeu #charmeu #cadillac #saintmacaire #cerons #saintecroixdumont #bordeauxsuperieur #premierescotesdebordeaux #bordeauxmoelleux  #bordeauxwine #bordeauxwinelover #madeinfrance #wine #winelover #sweetwine #sweetwinelovers #sweetbordeauxwine  #sweetbordeaux #winelife #winedestinations #womeninwine

Ingredients listed on a wine label: a consumer’s perception study

 A study dealing with: “Wine labeling with the list of ingredients: context, consumer’s perception and future challenges” was just released in anticipation of the new European Réglementation. The study questions the perception by the consumer of different types of ingredients on the label.

You can view this study here: https://www.wine-law.org/index.php/en/ingredients-on-wine-label-a-consumers-perception-study/

#wine #winelabelling #winenews #winestudy #winelovers #wineconsumer #winebottle #consumerresearch #winemaking

Women in Wine Talks – Bordeaux

On my recent trip to Bordeaux, I interviewed many wonderful families including female owners, winemakers and other women in the wine business.. watch this space for the interviews, discussions, and wonderful visuals captured!

Liz Palmer 

@charmeu_usa @charmeu_canada and @vinsblancsdebordeaux_usa

#enjoyitsfromeurope #euAgriPromo #MadeintheEU #thecharmingtasteofeu #charmeu #loupiac #cadillac  #saintmacaire #cerons #saintecroixdumont #bordeauxsuperieur #premierescotesdebordeaux #bordeauxmoelleux  #bordeauxwine #bordeauxlover #madeinfrance #wine #winelover #travelling  #traveldiaries  #winelife #winetourism #winedestinations #womeninwine #womenwinemakers #womeninwinebusiness 

2023 Women’s Wine & Spirits Awards London/Hong Kong

I’m so thrilled to be associated with this organization, and to be “nominated” to be a judge for the 2023 Women’s Wine & Spirits Awards London/Hong Kong.

The organizers state: “Your work in the industry is recognized by the Women’s Wine & Spirits Awards™”

The judging date is November 11th, 2023 and the wines and spirits will be judged by some of the world’s most influential female wine marketers, buyers, retailers, and sommeliers.

The wine business has discovered the exciting importance of women consumers.  Some facts:

  • 80%of wine is purchased by women (Women and Wine Study, Vinexpo)
  • Over 60% of wine is consumed by women (Women and Wine Study, Vinexpo)

#wwsa #womenswineandspiritsawards #wineawards #awards #women #womenbuyers #winetasting #womeninwine #womenspirits #wines #instawine #winejudge #winetime #winelife #winelovers #womeninwinebusiness #winetrade #winenews