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1st UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism:September 2016 Kakheti, Georgia

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in collaboration with the Georgian National Tourism Administration recently announced at the World Travel Market in London the 1st UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism – the wine tourism conference will be held in the Kakheti wine region of Georgia September 7-9, 2016.

UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, who led the presentation with the Head of Georgian National Tourism Administration, George Chogovadze and the Georgian Ambassador to Spain, Zurab Pololikashvili, explained: “Wine tourism represents a growing segment with immense opportunities to diversify demand. In the case of Georgia, this potential is well-known and we are very pleased to be holding the first UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism in the country”.

“Georgia’s unique wine-making traditions date back 8,000 years and are part of UNESCO’s intangible heritage, creating the ideal base to host the Wine Tourism Conference. Herewith, the country’s recent success in attracting a growing number of tourists, its development in terms of tourism products, branding and marketing present an excellent platform to share best practices, experience and knowledge” said Dimitry Kumsishvili, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.

Gastronomy and wine have become key components for experiencing the culture and lifestyle of any destination and a growing travel motivation. To foster the development of this segment UNWTO launched in September, the UNWTO Gastronomy Network.

For more information about the Conference, click here:  
http://affiliatemembers.unwto.org/event/1st-unwto-global-conference-wine-tourism

CHAMPAGNE PROVES TO BE A GOOD INVESTMENT

Champagne put in a strong performance on Liv-ex for 2015; it has accounted for 6.1% of trade on Liv-ex so far this year, up from 2.8% in 2014. The activity on the wine exchange has been driven by a flurry of new releases, including Dom Pérignon 2006, Pol Roger 2004 and Cristal 2007.

Antonio Galloni scored Cristal 2007 97+ points in July, describing it as “without question one of the very finest releases of the year”.

With its high score, at £1,040 a case, Cristal 2007 is currently cheaper than all other vintages on the market, so may prove an attractive investment for Champagne lovers given that it’s value is likely to rise in time.

Produced in large quantities, Champagne prices plateau when the wine enters the market but rise again after several years as the fizz becomes scarce.

Dom Pérignon’s chef de cave, Richard Geoffroy, defended multiple vintage Champagne releases at the launch of Dom Pérignon 2006 in London last month. “There is more latitude in playing the vintage game than ever. Some people might think we’re playing it safe via the status of the brand but every vintage has its story. In an ideal world I’d make a vintage wine every year. “There’s a debate in Champagne about reserving vintage releases for the best years but there shouldn’t be any artificial limitations put on it,” he said. “The first half of the last decade was fantastic – we should witness how remarkable those vintages were. When the quality is that spectacular you have to put the wines forward for release,” he added.

Geoffroy believes it is now normal to release seven to eight vintages per decade.

2015 French Wine Crop Reaches 47.7 Million Hectolitres

The French Ministry of Agriculture has released its latest estimates for the year 2015. They state that France has harvested approximately 47.7 million hectolitres. The 2015 harvest is up 1% up from last year (47.1 mhl) and up 4% on the five-year average. Production of PGI wines and base wines for brandy is showing a significant increase last year, respectively +5% and +6%. Conversely, production of appellation wines, at 21.61 mhl is marginally down (-2%) on 2014 but 3% higher than the five-year average.

The Ministry of Agriculture ascribes the rise in estimated production to rainfall in August and September, which was particularly beneficial in the western part of the country, especially in Charentes. A report by Agreste states that “bunch weight is one of the highest this decade”. It also points to a surge in production of Cognac compared with previous estimates, with an extra 1 mhl harvested by producers.
France was divided into two halves this year, with the eastern part of the country enduring less favourable weather conditions than other regions. Drought affected Burgundy, Beaujolais and Corsica and reduced production potential compared with August forecasts. Alsace, which was also affected, but to a lesser extent. In the South-East of France, periods of rain in September brought forward harvesting and caused some losses. In Languedoc-Roussillon, the crop is expected to be virtually on a par with last year’s.

Source: Vitisphere

Not Shaken, Not Stirred – What is James Bond’s Champagne of Choice?

As a connoisseur of all things fine, what does James Bond drink?

Champagne seems to be high on his list. From Sir Roger Moore KBE to Daniel Craig choices include some of the top champagne houses: Dom Perignon, Taittinger, and Bollinger.

Bollinger seems to be the front runner as it has been featured in 14 Bond films, starting with Live and Let Die in 1973 staring Roger Moore – vintage and style unknown.

Also in Moonraker, Octopussy, The Living Daylights, A View to Kill, License to Kill, and Skyfall James Bond shows a preference for Bollinger RD – vintages include 1969, 1975, 1979, and 1997.

He switches to one of my favourites in 1995 to Bollinger La Grand Année in Goldeneye and also drinks it in Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. Vintages include 1988, 1989, 1990, 1995 and 1999.

To celebrate the release of SPECTRE this October, Bollinger has launched the Champagne Bollinger Spectre Limited Edition. This unique Bollinger cuvée is from the 2009 vintage, notable for its aromatic elegance.

Liz Palmer

Need an excuse to drink champagne….

Tomorrow, October 23, 2015, is the sixth annual Global #ChampagneDay —

All you need to participate is a glass of Champagne — share your photos, tasting notes, experiences and videos on any social media site, and be sure to add the #ChampagneDay hash tag so your wine friends from around the globe can share in the fun.

Yes, it’s that special time of year to raise your flute to the quintessential wine of celebration, good cheer and toasts everywhere: Champagne!

And remember Champagne is from the Champagne region of France, which, on July 5th 2015 was granted World Heritage status by UNESCO and Champagne is from the Champagne region of France, making it the only sparkling wine that can be called Champagne.

Liz Palmer
The Ultimate Guide To Champagne – Release Date: Spring 2016
wwwLiz-Palmer.com