The consorzio for the Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG has banned the use of the herbicide glyphosate on vineyards in the area, claiming it is the largest wine zone in Europe to prohibit use of the substance. The consorzio has implemented the ban as part of the 2019 edition of its “viticultural protocol”, a set of guidelines that were launched in 2011 that advises growers in the region on how to be more environmentally sustainable. Innocente Nardi, president of the consortium, said the ban was implemented following a close dialogue between local government authorities and...

Spanish estate La Rioja Alta has said it will contribute €130,000 this year to farming projects in Cameroon, Burkina Faso and Democratic Republic of Congo and the Caribbean island of Haiti. The money will be donated as part of the winery’s ‘Viña Ardanza Solidario’ programme which was set up in 2007 and sees the winery donate 1% of its annual profits to agricultural initiatives in developing countries. So far the programme has raised €1.1 million for various projects in Cameroon, Mali, Benin, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Guatemala and India among others. This year’s beneficiaries will include...

A genetic study of Iron Age, Roman and medieval era grape pips has revealed that the Savagnin we enjoy today has existed for over 900 years. DNA from the seeds, which were found at various sites across France, also showed that the Romans were making wine with grapes genetically related to Pinot Noir and Syrah. The DNA from the seeds was matched to a genetic databank. Savagnin, the principal white grape of the Jura, was so instantly recognisable because its genetic material has been constantly preserved and passed down through clonal propagation when cuttings were taken. Dr Nathan Wales from...

Upmarket London retailer Selfridges has launched a 20-strong range of wines from the Okanagan in Canada, tipping the up-and-coming region for growth. The wines, which are now on shelf, come from the 50th Parallel Estate Winery, CedarCreek Estate Winery, CheckMate Artisanal Winery, Free Form Wines, Haywire Wines and Mission Hill Family Estate, and will be available at the prestigious retailer on London’s Oxford Street until July, after which, only some of the wines will be carried on. Prices range from £18.99 for Poplar Grove’s Pinot Gris to £94.99 for Mission Hill Family Estate’s...

One of the UK’s largest wine brands, i heart, has announced it is launching its first television advertising campaign. The first such campaign the brand has ever done, the ad is described as “simple, straight-talking and fun”, designed to reflect the “brand’s essence” and drive “engagement and awareness” of the brand’s still and sparkling wine offering. The advert will air during Love Island on ITV2 as well as the ITVhub and during entertainment shows on 4OD. The campaign will begin on 10 June and will run for 10 weeks. It will be backed up through social media and digital advertising as well...

Michelin-starred Indian restaurant Gymkhana on Albemarle Street in Mayfair has been forced to close after a blaze ripped through the restaurant yesterday. Michelin-starred Indian restaurant Gymkhana in Mayfair has been forced to close after a fire It took 60 members of the London Fire Brigade to get the fire under control yesterday afternoon, after it ripped through multiple stories on Albemarle Street. While the cause of the fire is not yet known, a statement from London Fire Brigade yesterday afternoon said: “Half of the ground floor kitchen and half of the ducting from ground floor to roof...

China’s oldest and largest wine producer, Changyu, is in the process of converting its 250-hectate Château Changyu Moser XV estate in Ningxia to biodynamic viticulture. Château Changyu Moser XV in Ningxia is converting to biodynamic viticulture Speaking to db in London this week, Changyu’s chief winemaker, Lenz Moser, said the company hopes to be certified biodynamic in three years. “My big aim for Changyu is to convert the estate to being 100% biodynamic. We’re in the early stages of conversion at the moment and want to be fully certified by a European body in three years. If we achieve this,...