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People: Producer

By Geoffrey Dean on July 21, 2021

The inspirational story of Doddie Weir’s bespoke red blend

Former Somerset cricketer and wine expert Geoffrey Dean reports on the inspirational story of Doddie’5 Red Blend 2019, a unique South African red blend which has many parts to it but one purpose – to raise money for ex-Scotland rugby player Doddle Weir OBE, now suffering with Motor Neurone Disease. Weir wore the No.5 shirt for Scotland while Schalk Burger, who made the wine with his son Tiaan, wore the No.5 for the Springboks. In another homage to the wine’s sporting provenance the blend is made of five grape varieties with £5 from every bottle sale donated to Weir’s MND charity and Burger constructing the wine as if it were a team of legends.

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Posted In: Doddie Weir, Doddie’5 Red Blend 2019, Geoffrey Dean, Motor Neurone Disease, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, Schalk Burger, Tiaan Burger

People People: Producer

By Richard Siddle on July 20, 2021

Derek Mossman Knapp Picture Matt Wilson. Www.MattWilson.cl

How Garage Wine Co is reviving Chile’s old vineyards

Here’s an en primeur system of paying for wine in advance that gets to the core of real winemaking, dedicated to reviving, and in some cases, bringing vineyards back from the dead. Derek Mossman Knapp of Chile’s Garage Wine Company explains how he has helped introduced a ‘Revival’ winemaking programme focused on neglected vineyards across rural Chile. A project that is both helping to rediscover old vines and create unique new wines, but has also captured the imagination of major producer and distributor, Freixenet Copestick, that is helping to part fund the initiative as well as sell Garage’s wines in the UK.

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Posted In: chile, derek mossman, freixenet copestick, Garage Wine Company, wine, winemakers

By Richard Siddle on July 19, 2021

New York Wine & Grape Foundation

Website:
https://newyorkwines.org/

Social media
Twitter
@NYWineGrapeFdn

Instagram
@newyorkwines

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Posted In: new york, new york wine and grape foundation, wine

People People: Producer

By Richard Siddle on July 19, 2021

mirabeau stephen cronk good

Stephen Cronk: how our dream of Provence came true at Mirabeau

Stephen Cronk’s dream to make wine in Provence took a long time to come true. Eleven years and a whole different career in telecoms passed by before eventually he, and his wife Jeany, plucked up the courage to actually make happen what they had spent over a decade craving to do. But it was a time well spent as it gave the Cronks the time, the experience and the knowledge to start and then grow what has gone on to become the global success of Mirabeau. A business based on the concept of creating a Provence wine brand that embodies the nature and viticultural values of the region, but also captures the iconic imagery and lifestyle of the south of France. As they introduce the first wine grown on their own estate – La Réserve – Stephen Cronk sits down with Richard Siddle for the first part of a two part interview on how the Cronks’ Mirabeau dream came true.

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Posted In: france, french wine, jeany cronk, Mirabeau, provence, Rosé, stephen cronk, wine

People: Supplier

By Peter Dean on July 19, 2021

Steve Daniel thrills at discovering Greek wines beyond Santorini

Trying to cope with the symptoms of Long COVID and the restrictions on international travel have made life tough for Steve Daniel, Hallgarten’s head of buying. In a candid interview he explains how he has managed, adding two new estates to his Greek wine portfolio, both from islands he has not sourced wine from before – Ios and Kefalonia, which the smart money predicts will be the ‘new Santorini’. So what is it about Greek wine that has continually fascinated him? From championing it back in his Oddbins days to the present, where the world has finally woken up it seems to what the country has to offer.

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Posted In: Greek wine, Hallgarten, Ios, Kefalonia, Peter Dean, Steve Daniel

By Richard Siddle on July 16, 2021

The Buyer Debate 2: What is the future for Centre-Loire red wines?

In part one of our report on The Buyer’s debate with key importers, sommeliers and retailers on the opportunities for Beaujolais white wine and Centre-Loire red wines, in partnership with Inter Beaujolais and Centre-Loire Wines, we analysed what the buyers thought specifically of Beaujolais’ less well known white wines. Here we turn the spotlight on the Centre-Loire and look at the styles, the producers, and the price points that our panel feel have the best opportunity to do well in the specialist retail and premium on-trade.

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Posted In: ABS Wine Agencies, Alpine Wines, centre-loire, Corney & Barrow, naked wines, Noble Rot, red wines, the buyer, wine, wine buyers

Awards

By Richard Siddle on July 15, 2021

iwsc cider judges

How IWSC launched the first 100% fermented juice awards

Any drinks competition is only as good as the quality of products that are entered. That stands to reason. But they also need to be pushing themselves forward to truly represent the drinks being made that are of increasing interest to the consumer. Which is why the International Wine & Spirit Competition teamed up with Cider is Wine to hold its first tasting and awards judging for 100% juice, not-from-concentrate ciders, perries and fruit wines. Here Christelle Guibert, the IWSC’s chief executive officer, and Alistair Morrell, chief executive of Cider is Wine explain why they were blown away by the results.

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Posted In: Alistair Morrell, Christelle Guibert, christine parkinson, cider, cider is wine, fermented juice, fiona beckett, iwsc, perry

By Mike Turner on July 15, 2021

Mike Turner on the ‘witchcraft’ practices of biodynamics

Biodynamic farming is being damned by a group of Italian scientists who have started a petition, claiming that the practice is witchcraft. A leading senator backing the scientists has declared (somewhat unbelievably) “we risk giving legal recognition to flat-earthers who preach magic and witchcraft.” The aim of this petition, which has surpassed a staggering 31,000 signatories, is to overturn a bill which would put biodynamic farming on the same standing as organic farming, thereby allowing biodynamic practitioners to receive state aid. So puzzled about this state of affairs was wine consultant and restaurateur Mike Turner, that he decided to delve into the matter and ask some fundamental questions about all types of farming, talk to South African winemaker of the year Johan Reyneke, and generally put some positive PR out there for biodynamic farming.

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Posted In: biodynamics, Johan Reyneke, Mike Turner

People People: On-Trade

By Richard Siddle on July 14, 2021

There is nothing quite like a nice cold glass of Provence rosé to enjoy whatever kind of day you have had

Vagabond’s Freddie Cobb on how it works with Vins de Provence

“Rosé is the only wine where customers buy with their eyes. All rosés are customer-facing in our stores. On our Vagabond machines, the guests are able to see the different shades of pink, and there is a definite sweet spot that Provence rosés hit.” That’s the way wine buyer and winemaker, Freddie Cobb, says Vagabond Wines displays and sells Provence rosé in its bars – to great success. Here he looks at why and how Provence has not only made such a difference with rosé it now leads and drive the rest of the category. But, he stresses, Provence is also a lot more about rosé and that’s why its future is so exciting.

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Posted In: freddie cobb, provence, vagabond, vins de provence, wine

By David Kermode on July 14, 2021

Batisse lancelot 2

David Kermode: Diverse Grower Champagnes of Les Riceys

There is a real underdog quality to the Champagne growers of Les Riceys. Once the preferred tipple of Louis XIV, the wines in this Eastern French commune are now overshadowed by the great Champagne Houses of the North – which only serves to make them more diverse, idiosyncratic and with a point to prove. David Kermode introduces us to five producers of these Grower Champagnes: Champagne Batisse-Lancelot, Pascal Manchin, Péhu-Guiardel, Arnaud Tabourin and Vincent Philpaux, who have collectively formed an Alliance to better promote their wines to the outside world.

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Posted In: Alliance Riceys, Arnaud Tabourin, champagne, Champagne Batisse-Lancelot, David Kermode, Les Riceys, Pascal Manchin, Péhu-Guiardel, Vincent Philpaux

People People: Supplier

By Richard Siddle on July 13, 2021

katherine jones main

ThinK Wine’s Katherine Jones: how to best use influencers

The conundrum facing many drinks brands is whether or not to use social media influencers in your marketing – and if you do, who are the most, well, influential to use for your products? It’s not a problem, however, for Katherine Jones. Not only does she run her own successful influencer marketing business – generating over £20m in sales for brands in only four years – she is using her influencers to help promote her new low sugar, vegan Prosecco brand, ThinK Wine, as she explains to Richard Siddle.

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Posted In: influencers, katherine jones, prosecco, think wine, wine, wine influencers

By Roger Jones on July 13, 2021

How Wine Australia helped make Riesling flavour of the month

Wine Australia has used its Connect website to focus on Riesling throughout the month of July. Our contributing editor, chef and New World wine specialist, Roger Jones, tastes his way through six top Clare Valley Rieslings, with food-pairing suggestions for each. He also explains the thinking behind a new series of videos made for Wine Australia that showcases the versatility of Australian Riesling, especially when it comes to matching them with food.

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Posted In: Clare Valley Riesling, Grosset Wines, Mitchell Wines, Mount Horrocks, Pauletts, Pikes Wines, Riesling, roger jones, Wakefield Wines, wine australia

By Richard Siddle on July 12, 2021

buyers table main

Buyer Debate on Beaujolais whites & Centre-Loire reds

If you were looking to hold a buyers’ debate and tasting of Beaujolais and Centre-Loire wines your immediate assumption would be looking at red wines for Beaujolais and whites for the Centre-Loire. Not this time round. For both regions are also producing a diverse range of quality wines that you would not normally associate coming from those appellations. To help explore and assess just what sort of white wines are being made in Beaujolais and red wines in the Centre-Loire, The Buyer teamed up with Inter Beaujolais and Centre-Loire Wines to bring together a leading panel of buyers, wine importers, sommeliers and restaurateurs to taste a selection of wines and then analyse just how suited they might be for different channels of the UK market in our “The Secret Gems of Beaujolais & Centre-Loire debate’. In part one of our report we explore what the two regions can offer for reds and whites and then delve more deeply into diversity and quality of Beaujolais white wines. Part two of our analysis, later in the week, will focus on the red wines from the Centre-Loire.

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Posted In: ABS Wine Agencies, Alpine Wines, Beaujolais, Corney and Barrow, elliot Awin, joshua castle, loire, naked wines, Noble Rot, ray o connor, rebecca palmer, victoria sharples, wine, wine buyers

By Justin Keay on July 12, 2021

Justin Keay: why Roussillon wines deserve more prominence

The Roussillon region of South West France, is a vinous treasure trove with many exciting wines to discover, argues Justin Keay. As a region it was only officially uncoupled from the Languedoc five years ago, and its identity as a producer of quality table wine has only really taken place in the past 20 years. But its roots as North Catalonia, with its rich historical and cultural past run much deeper. So too do the wide variety of winemaking styles, benefitting as they do from a patchwork of micro-terroirs and a multitude of different soil types. At a press and trade tasting, Keay explores the wines of 12 different producers and recommends which wines need to be on your radar.

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Posted In: Justin Keay, Rosemary George, Wines of Roussillon

By Richard Siddle on July 9, 2021

Steve Ingham from Michael Page recruitment will be sharing his insights on how businesses can get the most out of their talent

One Step Beyond: Steve Ingham on putting people 1st in business

Ask any business leader what the most important aspect of their company is to get right and ‘our people’ will often be first or very high on their agenda. Yet the attrition rates for staff continue to go up and the reality is somewhat different on a day-to-day basis. How companies can really put their people first will be a key aspect of next week’s One Step Beyond webinar, co-hosted by The Buyer and Sophie Jump, as we hear directly from Steve Ingham, chief executive of PageGroup one of the biggest and most respected recruitment consultancies in the world.

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Posted In: one step beyond, pagegroup, paul mabray, pix, sophie jump, spirits, steve ingham, the buyer, wine

By Peter Dean on July 9, 2021

Peter Dean on Hors Catégorie cycling & winemaking

With the Tour de France riders passing over the Hors Catégorie climb of Mount Ventoux this week, our drinks editor and cycling nut Peter Dean looks at the psychology of why you would willingly cycle up a mountain that is ‘beyond category’ and why Castelnau has chosen this as the concept for its top Champagne. C.M. 1993 – as it is called – is the third in an adventurous series of prestige cuvées that is inspired by cycling to the highest level, and allowing the winemaker to break all the rules.

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Posted In: C.C.F 2067, C.M 1993, Castelnau, Castelnau Wine Agency, champagne, Hors Categorie Prestige Collection, Peter Dean

People People: Supplier

By Richard Siddle on July 8, 2021

distill ventures diversity scheme

Distill Ventures backs D&I with $5m entrepreneurs funding

To help increase diversity within the drinks industry, Distill Ventures, the brand development and start up investment arm of Diageo, is launching what it is calling a new ‘Pre-Accelerator Programme’ dedicated to early stage founders from underrepresented groups that often are overlooked for corporate funding and private investment. It is pledging to invest $5 million in drinks entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds over the next 12 months. Here Distill Ventures’ portfolio director, Ara Carvallo, explains how the scheme is going to work and how it is part of its overall commitment to drive diversity and inclusion.

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Posted In: ara carvallo, Diageo, distill ventures, diversity, inclusion, spirits, wine

By Mike Turner on July 8, 2021

Dr Janice Wang Qian

How restaurants can up profits by applying neuroscience to lists

Offering customers exactly what they want is a key aim of everyone in hospitality. But, in order to achieve that, we need to understand more fully how the brain works in its connection to the perception of flavour and eating behaviour argues Dr Qian Janice Wang who uses wine as the medium through which to study the human mind. Restaurateur, wine consultant and importer, Mike Turner, had an audience with Janice at the Somms’ Edition of the Spanish Wine Academy initiative operated by Ramon Bilbao. Here he learnt why people will pay more if they eat with heavier cutlery and why even the most hardened wine critic can still be fooled by fake rosé.

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Posted In: Mike Turner, Neuroscience, Qian Janice Wang, Ramin Bilbao, Spanish Wine Academt, y

By Roger Jones on July 7, 2021

Accolade Fine Wines

Roger Jones on Accolade’s new prestige wine portfolio

The flagship wines from House of Arras, Houghton, Grant Burge, St Hallett and Hardys made up the tantalising selection of prestige wines from Accolade Fine Wines, that were showcased at its second Pre-Release Introduction tasting. Part of Accolade’s Global Vintage Release Programme for 2021, the tasting allows key buyers and selected press to assess and confirm their allocation ahead of the release of the wines later in the year. Roger Jones, our retired Michelin Star Chef and Aussie wine lover tastes through the full portfolio.

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Posted In: Accolade Fine Wines, Grant Burge Wines, Hardys Wines, Houghton Wines, House of Arras, roger jones, St Hallett Wines

By Richard Siddle on July 7, 2021

One Step Beyond Webinar July 12: The post-pandemic consumer

We might have had our fill of 90 minute events come the end of the Euro 2020 football champions next month, but here’s news of an alternative way of spending 90 minutes with the second One Step Beyond webinar, co-hosted by The Buyer and Sophie Jump, to be held on July 12 that will once again share the insights and expertise of leading figures in consumer behaviour, technology and innovation, both in and outside the drinks, retail and hospitality sector. Here’s what to expect from those 90 minutes.

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Posted In: cion sumer, creature agency, innovation, kam media, michael page recruitment, one step beyond, technology, wine

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