The concept of old vines has been a marketing tool for decades. From California to France and Spain, ‘vieilles vignes’ and other – unregulated – designations are a generally agreed-upon method of sending a message to the consumer. The message is usually about quality and development – how smaller yields and nutrient-rich vines are likely to result in more concentrated, complex wines.
Read more...
Having flown majorly under the radar in Chile since the nineties, when so-called ‘late-ripening’ Merlot was finally outed as Bordeaux varietal Carmenère, the grape has gone on a serious journey of self-discovery.
Read more...
With its menu populated by Central and South American delicacies, Paladar aptly defines itself as “the taste of Latin America in the heart of London SE1”. To match its geographical scope, the restaurant’s wine list consists of labels from Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, and Mexico. Chile and Argentina feature too, of course – South America-themed restaurants serve as their natural home. Elsewhere however, the continent’s two leading wine-producing countries tend to be relegated to the cheaper end of the wine list.
Read more...
The talk among Chile’s firmament of terroir-focused wineries is of site selection, with many smaller brands promoting sub-zones and regionality, emphasising the superior quality of cool-climate vineyards such as Lo Abarca in San Antonio or Los Morros in Maipo. Proponents of this approach have long argued that terroir creates added value, encouraging consumers to leap into premium styles.
Read more...
Looking back on Malbec’s ascent, it has followed quite a remarkable trajectory, delivering for Argentina the kind of hero grape recognition that perhaps only New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc can rival. In most of its markets, though, Malbec has firmly embedded itself a couple of notches above entry-level, typically with only a handful of rarefied listings on a more premium perch. In some ways, it’s a story reminiscent of Rioja’s, with the wines providing ample pleasure, accessibility and quality for just a small number of pounds above the entry-level.
Read more...
Buyers and critics alike share a snapshot of what currently excites them about South America with Sonya Hook.
Read more...
Both as wine producers and countries, Argentina and Chile offer very different profiles. The former has its hugely successful hero variety in Malbec, while the latter, having driven its reputation on affordable and accessible international varieties, is gaining ground as a producer of genuine interest and value in the mid-price range. Argentina too, with Malbec having secured a strong foothold at a more premium ‘entry’ price level, has been pushing its diversity, while climbing its flagship variety higher up the price ladder in independents and the on-trade.
Read more...
Canned wine has exploded onto the scene in the past couple of years as the next logical step for wine NPD. Picking up from the success of other products of its kind, such as canned cocktails, G&Ts and hard seltzers, canned wine has fitted snugly into a consumer desire for convenient on-the-go drinking.
Read more...
James Lawrence asks if merchants are ready to carry the can with anything but the 75cl bottle.
Read more...
Inviting a panel to taste and talk, Andrew Catchpole prompted a far-reaching exploration of the potential for southern France’s most versatile designation, in partnership with Pays d’Oc IGP.
Read more...
The blossoming of a British rum industry builds on the history of rum as a truly international spirit that increasingly finds its strength in both geographically blended and GI-protected areas of identification. Jo Gilbert reports.
While there was little to celebrate in 2020, Champagne was back with a bang last year, which seemed to take everyone – including the Champenois – by surprise.
Read more...
Bulk wine has been on a major journey over the past two years. Thanks to accelerated favourable perceptions around sustainability, an updated mindset seems to be in evidence in global markets as the acceptability of container shipping shores up the belief that ‘bulk’ is the way to save on both environmental and commercial costs.
Read more...
A brand new recognition system for the world’s best bars is set to become one of the industry’s most respected benchmarks of excellence.
Read more...
As the cost of living increases, consumers are looking to reduce spending, and recreational drinking could bear the brunt.
Read more...
Following the February unveiling of its Sustainability Charter, Harpers is delighted to welcome North South Wines and Enotria & Coe, who have come on board as our first partnering Sustainability Champions.
Read more...
James Bayley dives into ‘quintuple shock’ looming on the horizon in April, as businesses call for more ongoing support to boost recovery.
Read more...
With the wine trade potentially facing a damaging new duty regime, Andrew Catchpole convened a panel at Wine Paris to ask: “Will the proposed new excise duties in the UK make wine unaffordable?”
Read more...
When it comes to screwcap versus cork, James Lawrence finds prejudice is an emotive factor.
Read more...
From Wachau to Neusiedlersee, David Kermode takes a trip through Austria’s must-know regions.
Read more...
