Talking to dozens of winemakers on a recent trip to New Zealand, a common topic of discussion was Sauvignon Blanc and what a double-edged sword it has become for the Kiwi industry. Sure, being known as the place that does brilliant Sauvignon' is a coup that gives a small wine country enormous global visibility, but it is also a potential glass ceiling that could stifle other aspects of the New Zealand industry.
Australian producer Tyrrell's has just launched a top-end red wine from McLaren Vale.
Read more...By Tom Cannavan
On a recent trip to McLaren Vale, a new winemaking technique was on everyone's lips: sweet spotting'.
Stuart Smith, a grape grower and winery owner in Marlborough, has been elected chairman of New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW), the national trade body. Smith will represent the industry in dealings with government and media for a one-year term. The position complements his role as chair of the national grape growers council.
Imam Shahid was born and grew up in London. He attended state primary and secondary schools, and then at the age of 13 decided, with the support of his parents, to undertake theological studies and to become an Imam. During the nine years following this decision, he attended an Islamic seminary in West Yorkshire for five years, followed by periods of study in Pakistan, Syria and Saudi Arabia. After his graduation in 1998, he served as a junior Imam in Croydon Mosque and Kingston Mosque in Surrey. He is currently Muslim chaplin at St Mary's Hospital and Kingston Hospital, and is the head of the interfaith department at the Regent's Park Mosque.
Read more...Don't worry if you have no idea where the Mornington Peninsula is, you are in good company: it appears even Robert Parker has yet to discover the region's existence. In his latest review of Australian wines in The Wine Advocate he had space to review 21 wines (yes, 21!) from a single estate - D'Arenberg (McLaren Vale) - and even Oxford Landing came in for a remarkably good assessment.
Dunell's is an independent, family-owned wine merchant that has been in business for over 100 years. In addition to listing 1,100 lines, Dunell's also supplies wines en primeur and offers storage solutions. Regular tastings and themed dinners keep the events calendar busy. Neil Pinel took over from his father as managing director in 2000.
Read more...By Giles Fallowfield
It looks like the UK's grocers will once more use cheap Champagne as a weapon in their fight to win business from competitors in the run-up to Christmas.
Australia may have to dramatically change both its wine styles and preferred grape varieties due to climate change, according to a new report from the University of Melbourne and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
Read more...Threshers has unveiled On Taste, a new consumer wine club that launches at the end of November. Membership is free and benefits include free bottles of wine with minimum purchases of Radcliffe's wines.
Pernod Ricard has released two additions to its spirits range. The first, Wyborowa Exquisite, features a bottle designed by architect Frank Gehry, who, apart from being of Polish descent, designed the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, and also the Marqus de Riscal winery in Rioja.
Read more...Poor staff training and inadequate venue management are key factors leading to alcohol-related violence in pubs and clubs in the UK, according to a new study by a team of psychologists at Nottingham Trent University.
Read more...An article on volatile sulfur compounds in wine isn't likely to turn many heads. In truth, it's the sort of topic that is filed away as worthy but dull', and only ever gets read by people who are swotting up for their diploma or MW and is then promptly forgotten. Aware of this, I'm willing to strike a deal with readers: if I try my best to cover this otherwise fiercely dull and technical wine science piece in a manner that is both readable and doesn't require any specialist science knowledge, will you try to venture below the first paragraph
Read more...by Dawn Cran
Major wine competitions in the UK have hit back at claims that medals are a money-making ploy' that are used to sell unsold stocks of "plonk"'.
Wine Intelligence has appointed former Western Wines MD Mike Paul as executive chairman of the company.
Read more...New head sommelier at Langham Hotel
Valeria Laura Rodrguez has joined the Langham Hotel in London as head sommelier.
Part of the personal wine collection of Jacques Chirac, president of France and expert on Finnish cuisine, was auctioned in Paris last Friday - some 6,000 bottles in all.
Read more...PizzaExpress has launched a new and improved wine list, the most significant changes to be made since 1965.
Writer Robert Joseph has released a new book aimed at wine drinkers who love to travel.
Read more...Paul Stratford, managing director of Stratford's Wine Agencies, has decided to focus the attention of the business on searching for new wines from cooler climates.
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