The Drinks Business
15 January 2021 By Rupert Millar
The wine collection of Michel-Jack Chasseuil, described (by its owner) as âthe most prestigious cellar in the worldâ, is to be put on display for the public to view â for a â¬500 entry fee.
Chasseuil has built a 350m2 exhibition space three metres underneath his home in western France to present his 50,000 bottle collection of fine wines, Champagnes and spirits.
His idea to open a ‘Louvre of wine’ as a national monument has been an ambition for many years now.
With several national institutions having turned down his suggestions to house the collection in Paris or Bordeaux, however, the 79 year-old Chasseuil has worked on the space that he calls the âPantheonâ entirely by himself and apparently plans for it to be ready by the summer once the finishing touches are done.
Burgundian estate Domaine Faiveley has acquired a stake in Sonoma property Williams Selyem, with owners John and Kathe Dyson saying they have found the “perfect partner” to tranfer ownership to in the future.
The Drinks Business
14 January 2021 By Rupert Millar
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has produced a set of guidelines for the labelling of low and no alcoholic drinks as the category continues to grow.
The guidelines have been developed in partnership with the WSTA’s primary authority trade standards partners at the behest of both retailers and producers.
They have also been designed to complement the existing – as well as any potential future additions to – Low Alcohol Descriptors Guidance produced by the UK Department pf Health and Social Care.
The guidance aims to, “establish acceptable legal names, marketing text and general labelling requirements for low and no alcohol drinks.
The Drinks Business
11 January 2021 By Rupert Millar
The Tuscan region of Maremma has been given the green light to list two varieties on labels in addition to other modifications to the DOCâs production specifications.
The region was given official approval by the European Union at the end of last year, having applied for the changes in 2016.
The most notable change is that Maremma wines can now list two varieties on the label but there have also been modifications made to the permitted blends and varieties used as well.
Henceforth, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah and Ciliegiolo can be used either to make varietal wines or as a minimum 60% of a blend.
The Drinks Business
11 January 2021 By Rupert Millar
The roof of Cellar Vall Llach, one of the leading wineries in Priorat, has collapsed due to heavy snows potentially destroying what remains of the 2018, 2019 and new 2020 vintages.
Spain is currently experiencing very heavy snowfall right across the country including in Priorat and Terra Alta in Catalonia.
Snowfall there has reached half a metre in depth in places and the buildings of the region are not designed to support the additional weight – especially older buildings more used to Mediterranean summers.
On the morning of Sunday 10 January, the roof of Vall Llach buckled under the weight, bringing the roof down down on the vinification, storage and bottling area of the winery.