Wine – Page 7 – Keep It Overproof!

‘Appellation not grape variety’ is the way forward for Portuguese wine

Director of Oakley Wine Agencies, Nick Oakley, has said that promoting appellations such as the Douro or Dão is the way forward for Portugal, as the grape variety approach does not translate as well. Oakley, who is celebrating 30 years in business this year, told db that Portugal should not copy the grape variety model employed by countries in the New World. He said: “The problem is that Touriga Nacional is not Malbec or Pinot Noir. You’re never going to be able to turn it into the grape variety of Portugal, as for one thing, it doesn’t crop highly enough. “Promoting...

Future Proof: With BeatBox Exceeding Targets, Brizzy and Corkless Hit Chains

Dear Client: Last year we reported on the growth of colorful FMB, BeatBox “party punch,” which has accelerated the last year after switching from a wine and spirits network to a beer wholesaler network. You may recall that they recently changed their name to Future Proof. The company says that has everything to do with … Continue reading “Future Proof: With BeatBox Exceeding Targets, Brizzy and Corkless Hit Chains” You are unauthorized to view this page. Read the full article

Are US consumers ditching wine for hard seltzer?

Following reports that wine consumption is starting to tail off in the US, further data has revealed that hard seltzer could be taking its place. White Claw Hard Seltzer Natural Lime (PRNewsFoto/White Claw Hard Seltzer) Around one in three adults in the US (77 million) consumed wine at at least once a month in 2019, down from 88 million in 2015, according to a survey from Wine Intelligence. And when it comes to the demographics, it is 21-34 year-olds who are most likely to report drinking less wine. In a survey of around 2,000 consumers, just under 4 in 10 (39%) said they had reduced...

Wines of Portugal brings revamped tasting to London

Wines of Portugal is set to host its annual trade and press tasting in London next month, featuring masterclasses hosted by Sarah Ahmed and Piotr Pietras MS. The tasting, due to be held on 27 February, will feature new styles of wine from Portugal, and shine a spotlight on up-and-coming young producers and wines from lesser-known regions. Four free-pour tables will showcase wines grouped into the following categories: master of blends; organic wines; Atlantic influence; and whites to excite. For the first time, the trade tasting will be followed by the Three Wine Men consumer tasting. The new...

Unfiltered: Beatrice Bessi, Chiltern Firehouse

Beatrice Bessi has been working in hospitality for 20 years. Starting out in her native Italy, she rose to the position of restaurant manager, working with Massimiliano Alajmo, considered one of the 50 best chefs in the world. Keen to move more into the world of wine, she joined Ronan Sayburn MS and his team at 67 Pall Mall in London, as junior sommelier. She spent three and a half years preparing to study her Court of Master Sommelier exams, recently passing the advance level certificate. Working her way up to assistant head sommelier at the wine members’ club, she left to join Chiltern...

Fine wine investment: A spring in the step

If it’s true, as Tennyson suggested, that in the spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love, then I think we can safely propose that as we approach the end of January, the thoughts of those of a more mature hue must balefully turn to the Inland Revenue. Not only must tax returns be in by 31 January, but so must other bothersome amounts such as ‘payments on account’, and so on. It is at times like this that we may thank our lucky stars that, in the UK at least, profits on fine wine ownership remain free of Capital Gains Tax. So as to forestall the first...

Tmall unveils beverage sales report for 2020 CNY celebration

Beverage sales in China are always at their peak before the celebration of each lunar new year and China’s e-commerce giant Tmall recently announced a detailed report on the exponential surge of beverage sales driven by the preparation for new year. According to the report, since the beginning of January 2020, the sales of beverage products in Tmall has experienced a growth of 198%. Sales of baijiu in particular have grown enormously, up 237% on the same period last year, followed by beer at 158%, wine at 156%, other spirits at 62% and the Chinese rice liquor huangjiu also at 62%. This...

WBWE Asia announces second edition in China

Following the success of its first edition, the World Bulk Wine Exhibition (WBWE) Asia will host the event again in Yantai, China, on 29-30 May 2020. Yantai is known as China’s most important bulk wine city, with more than 80% of the bulk wine that enters China each year doing so via the port of Yantai. Backed by the Chinese government, WBWE Asia places a strong emphasis on opening up the global market for Chinese wineries, as well as providing a platform for industry professionals around the world to meet and mingle. On the press conference of the second edition of WBWE Asia, Zhao Xinzhi,...

Fine wine firm to pour one of world’s most expensive wines

Fine wine investment firm Oeno is to host its first portfolio tasting in February, featuring 25 wineries including Bordeaux’s Liber Pater and China’s Silver Heights. The company is divided into two branches: the investment division, called OenoFuture, and the trade side, named OenoTrade. Its first trade show will take place in London on 26 February in the Leadenhall Building. Supplying some of London’s leading restaurants, including City Social, The Cinnamon Club and Park Chinois, Oeno is looking to broaden its relationship with the trade and top sommeliers. Its portfolio...

Burgundy 2018: Key points from a surprising vintage

A vintage that defied expectations and delivered a number of pleasant surprises especially in an area most weren’t expecting, the 2018 Burgundies provided an engaging week of tasting and discussion. It’s fair to say that the occasionally grey, windy and rainy conditions of London in mid-January were rather different to the prevailing conditions in which the 2018 vintage was formed. A mild winter started the year, followed by a cold snap in February turning to a good dose of rain into March, which would prove useful as rainfall dropped off dramatically throughout the summer months. Temperatures...

Tag: Wine