Chile's old vine renaissance

IWCA membership swells with 12 new high-profile applicants

The International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) grouping has accepted application for membership from 12 new wineries to join its ranks.

Five minutes with Adolfo Hurtado, Mont Gras

The charismatic winemaker at Chile’s Mont Gras talks to Lisa Riley about how growing up around vineyards influenced his three new wine ranges – Day One, Organic, and Devine Reserva – distributed by North South Wines.

Martini on track to become certified sustainable

Martini has announced that all its Asti grape suppliers are on track to becoming certified sustainable in 2021.

English Wine Week anticipation ramps up with Hattingley limited run

Hattingley Valley has announced the release of two new small batch wines in celebration of English Wine Week (EWW) – just one of many celebrations and promotional activities which are due to begin this Saturday.

Chile’s diversity deserves more delineated DOs

The demarcation of Chile’s regions and sub-regions could and should be much clearer, focusing in with smaller local denominations to better reflect the diversity of the country’s winemaking.

Frost hits between 30% and 50% of Bordeaux

Bordeaux has had variable impact from early April’s devastating frosts, Harpers has learned, with estimates sitting at around 30% to 50% of vines affected, while some estates have “lost everything”.

Ethical winemaking in South America: A new world

James Lawrence looks at the South American wineries championing biodiversity and giving back to the vineyards.

Vineyard tour with Argento's Juan Pablo Murgia

Covid and Phylloxera – lessons for the wine trade

Sam Hellyer, head of wine and spirits at Chiswick Auctions, counts 10 years at Oddbins as part of a varied résumé where he headed up the Fine Wine branch in Oxford.

Excise duties hike latest blow to SA wine industry

The South African government has announced it will increase the excise duties on alcohol by 8%.

Dom Perignon winemaker moves to Kent

Nick Lane, who was part of the winemaking team at Dom Perignon, has moved to the UK to join contract-only winery, Defined Wine.

Friday Read: Monoculture wars – the vineyards killing ecosystems

In Napa, John Williams, winemaker and the owner of Frogs Leap, is a winemaker in the minority. Around 6-7% of his land is devoted to crops other than vines. It’s a move that makes him stick out like a sore thumb surrounded by Rutherford’s rolling valleys where there’s barely a fruit tree in sight. In a region where a single hectare costs on average $1m, why devote a single plot to anything else?

WSTA maps out UK visitor centres for thirsty ‘staycationers’

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has launched an interactive map of distilleries and wineries that are open to the public in the UK.

California Wine country eludes Hennessy fire

California’s wine country has so far been spared the wrath of the latest wildfires, which broke out in the northern part of the state on Monday.

Welsh Wine Week to launch with online tasting

Welsh Wine Week will launch with an online tasting led by wine experts Charlie Womersley and Oz Clarke OBE, who will be joined by iconic Welsh performer Max Boyce.

Ramón Bilbao targets organic certification for vineyards

Spanish producer Ramón Bilbao has begun the three-year process of converting its Rioja and Rueda vineyards to organic production methods.

British vineyards hit by Covid crisis

The Covid-19 outbreak is causing serious damage to the UK’s wine industry, according to a survey of its members commissioned by Wines of Great Britain.

Hail the mighty Maipo

Andrew Catchpole shines the spotlight on Chile’s most famous region for quality reds

Essex and East Anglia primed for viticultural expansion say climate change researchers

Climate change researchers have pegged Essex and Norfolk as the next major areas to plant as warmer summers extend the area where grapes can be grown productively in the UK.