Category: Wine News

Trivento is named the world’s best-selling Argentine wine

Concha y Toro’s Trivento is celebrating becoming the leading Argentine wine brand in the world, with sales of over US$256.2m a year according to a new report from the IWSR.

Over the past five years, the winery has doubled sales around the world thanks to a long-term business plan and successful marketing campaigns such as 20” TV campaign in the UK and a sponsorship deal with Major League Soccer (MLS) in the US.

“We are very proud of this achievement, and it is the result of the efforts of so many people, from our workers in the vineyards to those who represent our wines in international markets,” said CEO Marcos Jofré, Trivento.

Trivento’s top-dog status emerged from the 2020 report from global consulting firm IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, which delves into the alcoholic beverage market and its trends.

Trivento has been on an upward curve in key markets over the past 10 years. In 2013, it became a leader in the category of Argentine wines in the Caribbean and Europe. In 2020, it consolidated this position at a global level with an international strategy which focuses on value, expanding distribution channels at the right moment and strong moves into top retailers both online and in store.

The brand has been particularly successful in the UK, where Trivento Reserve Malbec is the number one red wine brand, according to NielsenIQ. It is also in the Top 10 of all wine brands in the UK.

In the US, in 2020, the winery became one of the top three selling Malbecs in the country (IRI). The US is Trivento’s second most important export destination in terms of volume, with Florida representing 30% of sales in market.

South Korea meanwhile saw huge uplift in 2020, with sales up 935%. Brazil also recorded strong increases in sales up 88%, with great expansion in online and retail channels.

“This is the result of a clear and precise commercial strategy that’s made Trivento grow into a premium brand that’s focussed on key markets,” said Felipe Rossel, global marketing director.

#Wine #Vinos #WineLovers #Winestagram #InstaWine #InstaWineLovers #Argentina #Vinos #ArgentinaWines #Bodega #WineTime #Drinks #Gastronomy #TriventoArgentina #winesofargentina #winenews  #Malbec #DiscoverMalbec #DiscoverTrivento #Winefrommendoza #Winefromargentina #redwine @triventous #triventous

 

 

Germany’s Ahr Wine Region Needs Our Help!

The devastating impact of last week’s flooding in Germany has seen 200 people lose their lives across Germany and Belgium, while causing extensive damage to businesses, including the wine producers of the Ahr Valley.

According to a report from the German Wine Institute, the floodwaters have been particularly destructive to the wine producers of the Ahrweiler and the surrounding villages of Mayschoss and Dernau.

In these areas, barrels, wine bottles and machines, have been washed away, destroying entire wine-producing businesses and livelihoods, although th full extent of the damage on the entire Ahr region, and its 563 hectares of vineyards, will take weeks to quantify.

The managing director of the German Wine Institute (DWI), Monika Reule, was stunned by the images of the devastation and the fate of the people living there who are now struggling for their livelihoods, and has set up a bank account to accept donations of support for those affected.

The donation account is being held at the Farmers and Winegrowers’ Association of Rhineland-Nassau, which incorporates the Ahr Winegrowing Association.

Should you wish to make a donation, the details can be found below. The DWI has noted that the proceeds from the numerous aid campaigns will directly benefit the Ahr winegrowers, who urgently need money for the reconstruction of their businesses, which will certainly take a long time.

  • Donation account details:
  • Beneficary (field 59)
  • Account: DE14 5519 0000 0619 7860 15
  • Beneficary: Deutsches Weininstitut GmbH
  • Beneficary Bank (field 57a)
  • BIC: GENO DE FF
  • Bank Name: DZ Bank AG, Frankfurt / Germany
  • Bank-to-Bank-Information (field 72)
  • /acc/ Mainzer Volksbank eG, Mainz / Germany
  • Purpose: Donation Ahr Flooding

Aside from financial assistance, winegrowers from across Germany have offered support to those most seriously affected by the flooding, with growers already on-site with forklifts, vineyard tractors or pumps to rescue what can be saved. Outside helpers are also on duty to help with any urgently needed vineyard work in order to secure the upcoming vintage.

 

#winenews #news #germany #instagermany #ahrwine #ahrvalley #flooding #giveback #support #winetrade #winelovers #wine #winesofgermany #wein #instawine #riesling #germanwine #deutscheweine

Moët Hennessy and Campari team up for joint venture ecomms business

Moët Hennessy has teamed up with Italian company Campari to launch a joint venture ecommerce business to sell premium wines and spirits across Europe.

The new business venture will see both companies invest in the pure-play digital retailer, which will be based on Campari’s existing ecommerce channel Tannico, which was launched by the Italian drinks producer. Tannico also owns a majority stake in the e-commerce platform Ventealapropriete.com, which sells premium wines and spirits in France. Together, the two platforms generated pro-forma aggregated sales of over €70 million in 2020.

Under the terms of the agreement, Campari is to transfer its stake in Tannico into the newly set up joint venture.  Under the terms of the agreement, Campari  is to sell half of the joint-venture’s equity capital to Moët Hennessy for 25.6 million euros ($30 million) in cash,  the company said.

The combined business will be headed up by Marco Magnocavallo, CEO of Tannico, who remains a key minority shareholder in the business, along with his management team.

Philippe Schaus, President & CEO, Moët Hennessy says “The partnership represented a significant step forward in the company’s global ecommerce development strategy.”

“While e-commerce was already a growing channel for wines and spirits, the global pandemic has triggered a significant acceleration,” he noted.

Bob Kunze-Concewitz, CEO of Campari Group says “It would allow Tannico to grow and further strengthen its footprint and expertise in the online retailing of spirits & wines.”

Magnocavallo agreed, saying that with the backing of the two companies, the new business would have the “firepower” to consolidate the fragmented European e-commerce sector and “offer a qualitative, sizeable and integrated route to market option catering to the needs of all its wines and spirits suppliers”.

 

Book review for the OIV Awards: Sustainable and Innovative Wine Tourism – Success Models from all Around the World 

I just finished reviewing a book for the OIV Awards: Sustainable and Innovative Wine Tourism – Success Models from all Around the World, Monograph by Raul Compes Lopez and Gergely Szolnoki 

It was a fascinating read on the sector. The monograph compiles the works of 36 authors from 15 nationalities and explores the evolution of wine tourism in different countries and includes coming out of Covid-19.

My general overall impression is that it is a must-read for the international wine tourism industry, especially now coming out of the pandemic, it is extremely relevant.

Liz Palmer 

#bookreview #monograph #winebookreview #winebook #academicwinebook #winetourism  #sustainability #gastronomy #destinationmanagement #Innovative winetourism #oiv #preservingregionalheritage #bookstagram #winehistory #winelovers #booklover #winetravel #enoturismo #winecountry #winejudge #bookawards #internationalbookawards 

“Anteprima 2021”- Wine Preview of Vernaccia di San Gimignano by Filippo Magnini 

“The ancient crowned hill through the eyes of the queen grape”

When you are in the direction of San Gimignano, in the heart of Tuscany, you cannot help but be enveloped by the magical atmosphere, you get catapulted into a fairy-tale. The hills of “Queen Vernaccia” crown the city of San Gimignano; at its foot lies the most fascinating and characteristic landscape of the Val d’Elsa. Impressive from a distance are the tips of the “crown”, a little Manhattan of the Middle Ages. The city of San Gimignano in the first centuries after 1000 AD was embellished with seventy towers and numerous palaces, built by the many wealthy families to display their wealth and power. Still today, the fourteen beautiful towers remain to characterize the city center and to make the unique and recognizable silhouette of the crowned hill. It is right inside the walls of the beautiful San Gimignano that every year we have the pleasure to taste the new vintages of wines made in this fascinating territory.

The event this year was different from the usual February schedule. The Anteprima Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2021, in fact, was a month-long event that started on Wednesday the 19th of May and closed on Monday the 14th of June. The first day was dedicated exclusively to the Italian and international press. For the occasion, the consortium chose two principal venues: the De Grada Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, where all the journalists and writers were called to taste and evaluate the latest vintages of the sixty-nine wines produced by thirty-four wineries (Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2020, Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2019, Vernaccia di San Gimignano Riserva 2018); and the Dante’s Chamber in the Town Hall for the 16th edition of the ‘White Wine and Its Territories’ series: “Vernaccia in Comedy”.  A choice linked to the tradition and history of Italy. In fact, this year is the 700th anniversary of the death of the poet Dante. The consortium has intertwined the main six female protagonists of Dante’s work and 6 characteristic white wines of the territory of San Gimignano. These six samples were chosen to be compared with as many wines from those that are among the major denominations for white wines: Alto Adige Valle Isarco Veltliner, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore, Orvieto Classico Superiore, Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes Blanc and Palette Blanc. A so-called ‘battle’ between elegant queens, in a magnificent hall that narrates through its frescoes the path of our life.

TASTING REPORT 

During my stay at San Gimignano, I blind-tasted all the wines, which were majestically presented by the Consorzio del Vino Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2020 (34 wines reviewed)

 

 

 

 

 

on my radar

Winery:  Fattoria di Fugnano
Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2020 – Da Fugnano 

Brillant with pale straw core and watery rim. Pronounced flavour of pineapple with peachy overtones. Dry and sapid with bright acidity. Well balanced with good fruit and harmonious finish.  I like this wine.

Winery:  Fattoria San Donato
Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2020 

Pale yellow core with greenish hues. The nose is fresh and fruity with scents of lemon and apricot. Vibrant entrance with medium alcohol. Dry with good acidity and a fruity finish. Lovely wine.

Winery:  Il Colombaio di Santa Chiara
Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2020 – Selvabianca 

Pale yellow core, lighter on the edge. Intense flavour of citrus fruit and green apple with light floral notes. Dry with lovely acidity which matches a good alcohol level. The aftertaste is persistent with pleasant notes of almond at the end. Very good wine !

Winery:  Il Palagione
Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2020 – Hydra 

Straw coloured with paler rim. The bouquet is intense and ample with notes of grapefruit and apricot with scents of ginger. The mouth is intense and fresh with racy acidity. Quite a long finish. Fine, charming wine !

Winery: San Benedetto
Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2020 – Selvabianca 

Clear with lemon colour turning slightly green on the rim. It expresses nice aromas of lemon and peach mixed with light notes of acacia. The acidity matches well with the rich fruit. Balanced palate with quite a long persistence.  I really appreciate it.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2019 (18 wines reviewed)

 

 

 

 

 

on my radar

Winery:  Montenidoli
Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2019 – Fiore 

Deep yellow core, lighter on the edge. The wine expresses a beautiful bouquet of lime and orange peel with overtones of thyme and mint. It is vibrant and structured to the palate with harmonious and fresh finish. Great potential for the ageing.

Winery:  Mormoraia
Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2019 – Ostrea

Intense straw core with paler reflections. Intriguing nose with flavour of pear and maruted fruit with a hint of almond.  Lovely, creamy palate with present acidity. Discrete alcohol level with fresh finish. Delicious wine !

Winery:  Panizzi
Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2019 – Vigna Santa Margherita 

Colour ranging from medium yellow core to lighter rim. Intense flavour of lemon with scent of candied apricot. Slight notes of vanilla. Dry, lively palate with good acidity. Rich and elegant aftertaste.  Great wine.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2018 Riserva (10 wines reviewed)

 

 

 

 

 

on my radar

Winery:  Cappella di Sant’Andrea
Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2018 Riserva  – Prima Luce 

Brilliant, deep yellow colour. Intense bouquet of lemon and jasmine flowers with a hint of mint. Fragrant entrance, round with ripe fruit and good acidity.  Well structured, mineral and complex.  I really like it !

Winery:  Cesani
Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2018 Riserva – Sanice 

Medium yellow core with lighter hues. The wine displays an intense perfume white peach, grapefruit, and lemon with a light buttery note. Dry, sapid and intense with good acidity and freshness. Well balanced and harmonious. Excellent wine.

Winery:  Guicciardini Strozzi
Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2018 Riserva

Medium yellow core with paler rims. Clean with beautiful nose of ripe apricot and mango with flowery overtones and a hint of almond. Medium body with lively acidity and freshness. The alcohol is well balanced with the fruit.  Elegant aftertaste.  Great wine.

A FEW NOTES ABOUT THE 2020 VINTAGE  

2020 was characterised by an excellent seasonal trend. The onset of the vegetative stages was a little early but still normal for the long term. The harvest also started a week earlier than in 2019. The health of the grapes was excellent and their quality was good, albeit slightly lower than the previous year. The wines of this vintage are smooth and round, have good aromas and their acidity is not excessive.

SAN GIMIGNANO AND ITS QUEEN GRAPE VERNACCIA 

San Gimignano is a small town of Siena, rich in charm and history. The village of San Gimignano is located almost halfway between Florence and Siena (about 60 and 45 km), and is easily reachable by car or a bus. It is a territory situated completely on hills at altitudes between 200 and 400 m above sea level. The soils are of the Pliocene era, dating back between 6.8 and 1.8 million years. And it is certainly the composition of the ancient soil that makes the wines produced in this denomination extremely fascinating and complex. The terroir of this area is characterized by the presence of fossils and shells, it is composed of pliocene soil and clay. These extremely calcareous sediments make the soil ideal to create vigorous and mineral white wines.The surface area of the Municipality of San Gimignano is of about 12,500 hectares, 5,600 of which are destined to farm productions (vineyards, olive groves, cereal crops). The San Gimignano hills present variable exposures, altitudes, soil compositions and availability of water. The multiple and sometimes unique combinations of these single factors have, even in such a small area, a significant effect on the characteristics of the wines made there.  The combination of the unique variables for wine growing in San gimignano: different exposures, altitudes, soil compositions and water…, determine, even in such a restricted area, a significant impact on the characters of the wines produced there.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a white grape variety present in Tuscan since ancient times. Its bunches are large, long and pyramidal in shape, with an average density of compact and medium berries, round, very pruinose with thick peels. It has an unmistakable amber color when it is shone by the sun. A vine that finds its perfect condition in growing in calcareous-clay or tuffaceous soils

Always a big thanks to my colleague and friend Liz Palmer !