Bordeaux négoce urge on this year’s campaign 27th January, 2021 by Rupert Millar
The union representing 80 Bordeaux négociants has said it is “ready” for this year’s campaign and urged the UGC to stick the traditional timing of May-July releases – and the pricing pattern of last year.
Philippe Tapie, president of the Bordeaux Négoce Committee for classified growths, said: “With my colleagues, we all agree that a campaign is necessary and should take place, as usual, during both the months of May and June, to be completed at the latest beginning of July”.
This statement may in part have been inspired by the recent news from the UGC that this year’s en primeur tastings are currently due to go ahead (all being well) in April rather than March; perhaps driving concerns that the campaign itself might be pushed deeper into the year from its more usual slot.
INAO approves six new grapes in Bordeaux 27th January, 2021 by Rupert Millar
The Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité (INAO) has formally approved the use of six new varieties in Bordeaux that were first proposed in 2019.
Portuguese variety Touriga Nacional which is one of the new red varieties to be approved
The French agricultural governing body has approved the use of four new red varieties – Arinarnoa, Castets, Marselan and Touriga Nacional – and two white varieties – Alvarinho and Liliorila – with plantings authorised for this year.
The varieties were put forward by winemakers in the Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur AOCs (not Pauillac, Margaux etc) in the summer of 2019 as a potential means of dealing with different growth cycles and ripening periods in the face of a changing climate.
Cullen and Bodegas Emina commit to IWCA 25th January, 2021 by Rupert Millar
The International Wineries for Climate Action group has welcomed two new applicant members, Cullen Wines and Bodega Emina.
The wineries have committed to the IWCA’s action plant to begin reducing their carbon emissions. All members have to produce at least 20% of their own power through renewable energy, reduce 25% of their carbon emissions per unit of wine produced and complete an annual greenhouse gas audit verified by a third-party auditor.
Located in Margaret River, Cullen Wines has already been working biodynamically for over 20 years and has been certified carbon neutral since 2007 and carbon positive since 2019.
The Drinks Business
25 January 2021 By Rupert Millar
Leading Spanish winery Vega Sicilia has announced a new trade distribution partnership in the UK with Berkmann Wine Cellars with immediate effect.
The agreement covers Great Britain and the Channel Islands and covers all trade channels although Berry Bros & Rudd, parent of the winery’s former agent Fields, Morris & Verdin, will continue to import the wines for sales to private clients.
The latest vintage releases from Vega Sicilia, including the 2011 ‘Unico’ and Valbuena 5º 2016 will be released next month.
Antonio Menéndez, general manager of Tempos Vega Sicilia, said: “Great Britain is a key strategic market for Tempos Vega Sicilia. We truly believe BWC will take our wines to the next level in terms of distribution in on and off premises. The main priority for TVS is to ensure that our wines are properly delivered to all British customers and the BWC team offers us this possibility.”
The Drinks Business
25 January 2021 By Rupert Millar
Symington Family Estates has added a new wine to its ‘Altano’ range from the Douro to support the Rewilding Portugal initiative, including in ‘bag-in-tube’ format.
The ‘Altano Rewilding Edition’ is a blend of classic red varieties from the Douro Valley, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca and as well as being offered in bottle, the new blend will also be packaged in a 2.25 litre bag-in-tube format – which is easily recyclable and has a much lower carbon footprint than glass.
Every sale of the new edition will see a contribution made to support Rewilding Portugal, in addition to the €15,000-a-year that Symington Family Estates is providing to the project through its Symington Impact Fund which is part of its B Corporation requirements.