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    Sara Underdown
    Insight
    prowein south africa Long Read

    ProWein: Is quality over quantity now the way forward for the show?

    Anyone walking into ProWein is left in no doubt they are about to venture into the world’s biggest international wine fair – with huge billboards and posters repeating the message at every entrance into Messe Dusseldorf – a claim the show has been proudly, and rightly, been able to live up to for at least the last 10 years. Whether it will still be able to say the same in five, never mind 10 years, time is up for serious debate following the new competition that Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris now offers. But what was also crystal clear from this year’s event is that ProWein is not going away anytime soon and for many buyers and producers, particularly those in the southern hemisphere, the fair is still the biggest show in their worlds. For others the jury is now firmly out on which event they should be focusing their efforts on. Richard Siddle was there to once again walk the 17 trading halls of Dusseldorf and report back on a show that needs to regroup, recalibrate, reset and listen to all those who now question what it can offer, whilst embracing the strong, loyal buyer and producer base who see their futures very much aligned to what ProWein can offer. Here’s part one of The Buyer’s two part analysis of the show.

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    Insight
    100 best value wines

    The 100 best value wines in the UK as voted by 100 wine educators 

    It is still possible to find true value for money and quality when buying wine in the UK, despite the upward pressure on wine prices. To help people through this maze, and to demonstrate the sheer breadth of wines available in the UK, the Association of Wine Educators (AWE) has just published its 10th list of 100 AWEsome wines – based upon what 100 qualified wine educators have unearthed during the past year. AWE’s Heather Dougherty reveals how the list is created, points out some of the trends of the past decade and provides a link so you can discover some gems for yourself.

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    Insight
    asi sommelier congress

    Inclusivity is key for Association de la Sommellerie Internationale

    “We believe in supporting all those who choose this profession, regardless of their culture, gender, ethnicity or religion.” That was very much the spirit in which William Wouters, president of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI), wanted to hold the organisation’s general assembly and a chance for the great and good of the sommelier world to come together to discuss a wide range of issues. David Kermode travelled to Monaco to report on what happened.

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    Tasting: Wine
    Enotria&Coe Annual Tasting 2024 Long Read

    12 on-trend producers shining at Enotria&Coe’s Annual Tasting 2024

    Ugandan rum, AI-generated wine, Coppola’s debut, ‘SuperRomans’ and terroir-obsessed wines from Spain, Lebanon, Greece and New Zealand, Enotria&Coe’s Annual Tasting 2024 seemed to have it all – alongside all its major brands, of course. Peter Dean tasted round the 146 producers, focussing on 12 producers that are new, had exciting new products or were so on-trend they had to have a mention.

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    Insight
    sacha lord

    Hospitality chiefs say Chancellor has now “thrown us to the wolves”

    Senior hospitality chiefs were in a fighting mood at this week’s Northern Restaurant and Bar show in Manchester on the back of last week’s much maligned Budget that might have seen a freeze in alcohol duty, but none of the much needed measures the sector was demanding in order to provide the urgent help so many operators are asking for. Despite the setbacks industry chiefs said the sector needs to stay strong and united so that it can take the fight into this year’s general election, reports Jonathan Caswell. 

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    People
    real wine fair tasting

    Doug Wregg celebrates the best in artisan wines at Real Wine Fair

    The Real Wine Fair in a nutshell. A two-day artisan wine and drinks grower event that celebrates the wines of small producers who farm organically, biodynamically and regeneratively and make low intervention and natural wines. This year around 185 producers from 20 countries will be coming to London’s Tobacco Dock to take part on April 28-29 with over 900 wines to taste and explore. Here founder and chief organiser, Doug Wregg of Les Cave de Pyrene, sets out what to expect from this year’s fair and where he sees the world of “Real Wine” going. 

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    Tasting: Wine
    Armit

    10 best wines that set the Armit 2024 portfolio tasting alight

    Picking your 10 favourite wines is always a tough call, but when it is from the many hundreds of jewels that sit in the crown of Armit Wine’s 2024 portfolio it is an almost impossible brief. But this was the task we set Justin Keay – to find his favourite wines for working in premium on-trade. Of course, Sassicaia 2021 made the final cut but what of the others? And how many of them were going to come from Armit’s considerable Italian range?

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    Tasting: Wine
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    How Alliance found the key to building a list at its 40th tasting 

    As Alliance Wine celebrates its 40th year, its 2024 portfolio tastings were a perfect opportunity for its producers and clients alike to mark the journey so far. We sent The Buyer’s Mike Turner along to the London tasting to discover the good and the great of the wines on show, and report back on which wines deserve a place on your wine list.

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    Tasting: Wine
    Koshu

    Why now is the ripe time for Koshu wines in the UK

    A positive reception was given to Koshu of Japan (KOJ) as it held its 15th annual trade tasting at 67 Pall Mall in London last month, with ten Japanese producers showcasing their Koshu wines. Leona De Pasquale caught up with producers, UK importers, and Isa Bal MS to discuss the opportunities and challenges for Koshu wines in the UK and why the on-trade should be enthusiastic about Japan’s signature wine grape variety.

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    Insight
    swig italians

    Swig’s Robin Davis on Italy’s new wave of winemakers

    “These guys are starting to turn Italian wine upside down. It’s only the beginning. It’s even harder in Italy, that it was South Africa, to bring about this change, as it’s a much bigger industry and more spread out, but it’s happening for sure.” That’s why Robin Davis, founder of Swig, believes there is a now a new wave winemaking scene happening in Italy similar to the new wave it was so quick to jump on in South Africa nearly 10 years ago. A winemaking movement that he believes has the potential to re-imagine the wines – including those made from maturing grapes in beehives – that we start to see on premium wine lists in wine merchants and our most ambitious wine-driven restaurants. Ahead of Swig’s potentially breakthrough new wave tasting of Italian wines in London on March 18, Davis explains exactly why Italy is now “a breeding ground for new talent and needs to be taken seriously.”

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