Tired of yet another happy hour on the beach? Bored by the fourth barbecue (in 3 days) with friends? If you are looking for a diversion from the usual vacation clichés, here is something that may interest you: a new book - on sale likely next fall.
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Garda, the lake in a sunny day
Bubbles for your summer
Maybe there’s no better season than summer to enjoying a glass of sparkling wine. And likely there’s no better place to attend a sparkling wine event than the Lake of Garda. Recently the Garda village has hosted SpumantItalia, a national event (organized by the magazine Bubble’s*) entirely reserved for Italian sparkling wine production.
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Camel Valley Makes History with "First Growth" PDO
Last year, I'd been asked to participate as a judge in an international wine competition quite singular, the Euposia Wine Challenge, the only world championship of white sparkling wines produced with Metodo Classico. Obviously, I accepted, and so I had an amazing experience of tasting... In particular, I still remember an excellent, elegant and fresh sparkling wine from England, which that year won the Euposia Challenge. It was the 2016 Camel Valley, UK Cornwall, Brut Rosè Cuvée Raymond Blanc 2014. Thus, I'm glad to share a good news: the European Union has elevated Camel Valley’s ‘Darnibole’ vineyards to the highest level of Protected Designated Origin, (PDO). It's the first and, currently, only UK single vineyard to be awarded this accolade. As a Euposia Challenge' judge, I might say to have been among those who rewarded this wine producer for the first (see below). Here's the official press release:
"The UK Government awarded national protection to Camel Valley’s Darnibole in 2012 and after 5 years of scrutiny by the 28 Member States; the EU unanimously agreed on the award at a meeting held on 25th April 2017. They had been so impressed by the application that the area was extended during the process, from 7 acres to 28 acres of South facing land in the Camel Valley, all part of Camel Valley’s vineyards. Said Bob Lindo: “It has taken 5 years and the agreement of 28 Countries. We have had great support from Phil Munday (DEFRA), and MPS and MEPs, such as Anthea McIntyre, Dr. Ilya M. D. Maclean, (Exeter University) and the support of MWs, such as Derek Smedley.” Added Anthea McIntyre, MEP, said: "I was delighted to offer support in Brussels to the Camel Valley vineyard in its quest for PDO for Darnibole. It is a very fine wine and deserves to stand on a par with many of the biggest names in the trade.”
There are strict criteria involved: 100% Bacchus from Darnibole, no acidification or de-acidification, no sweetening, higher natural alcohol and hand picking (for harvesting). The wine must be made at the adjoining Camel Valley winery and most importantly, it must be compared with previous vintages to ensure typicity. Sam Lindo, Camel Valley’s Winemaker, added: “Most previous vintages of Darnibole Bacchus have won a Gold medal and critical acclaim, so there is something that we consider to be special about that small area. It produces intense, steely Bacchus with a delicate restrained aroma.”
Camel Valley Darnibole Bacchus is served with the tasting menu at the 2 Michelin star restaurants Nathan Outlaw, and The Ritz in London. Darnibole is exported, mainly to Nathan Outlaw’s Al Mahara restaurant at the Burj, Dubai.
About Camel Valley:
- Sam Lindo is 3 times UK Winemaker of the Year.
- Camel Valley has just been awarded the trophy for the ‘World’s best sparkling rose’ in Verona as outright winners in Bollicini Del Mondo twice
- Camel Valley was awarded the International Wine Challenge Trophy for Bacchus in 2009
- Other wines produced at Camel Valley within the demarcated Darnibole area:
- Cuvee Raymond Blanc – winner of 2016 ‘Best rose sparkling in the world’ at Bollicini del Mondo
- Multi Gold medal winning ‘Annie’s Anniversary’ Brut
- Darnibole Brut
- Rick and Jill Stein’s Seafood Restaurant 40th Anniversary brut
- Camel Valley Sparkling red
Meran IWF: a wine party in the fall
If you are planning a quick trip in Sud Tyrol - and are a wine lover, don't miss the 2016 Merano International Wine Festival., the traditional event hosted in the historic and gorgeous Kurhaus, downtown Merano . This year the program is even richer of events and tastings than the past: to be reported some Charity Wine Masterclass - the attention in the world of solidarity is getting a must even in the wine world - and other special tastings, like the Catwalk Champagne, entirely reserved to this unique sparkling wines.
Read MoreTop Italian sparkling wines in USA
Buone notizie per gli sparkling wines di casa nostra: il loro trend di crescita nel mercato americano continua (+19,7% nel 2011).
In testa alla classifica delle preferenze, manco a dirlo, il Prosecco - anzi, i Proseccos, al plurale - venduti per pochi dollari la bottiglia.
Tutti i dati sull'ultimo report di Impact Databank, di cui Shanken News trasmette un estratto, che riprendiamo integralmente:
"Impact Databank’s exclusive analysis of the top 10 imported sparkling wines in the U.S. market finds that Italian wines continue to be the biggest volume drivers in this rising segment. Total imported sparkling wine shipments to the U.S. increased 19.7% to 7.65 million cases in 2011.
Retailers make "Net" gains in marketing
With the soft economy placing businesses in dire financial straits, off-premise retailers are shrinking their ad budgets by embracing digital advertising that attracts a most desirable demographic: 21- to 35-year-olds. For many years, David Breitstein, owner of the one-unit Duke of Bourbon in Canoga Park, California, advertised the typical way: through television, radio and print ads. Persuading customers to peruse his highly allocated California wine selection was an expensive endeavor, topping $30,000 annually. But now his ad expenditures are significantly cheaper, at approximately $15,000 a year. The decrease is due largely to the advent of new technologies, says Breitstein, who has dropped all forms of traditional advertising, except direct mail, occasional magazine print ads and email newsletters.
USA: Mionetto’s Il Prosecco pressed by a new entry, Cavit Lunetta
Prosecco has been one of the U.S. wine market’s hottest categories over the past few years, and no marketer has played a larger role in its success than Brooklyn, New York-based Mionetto USA. Mionetto’s Il Prosecco has been the category leader for the past half-decade, and the brand shows no sign of slowing down. After earning an Impact “Hot Brand” award following its 20% advance to 265,000 cases in 2010, the brand’s growth actually accelerated in the early months of 2011.
While Champagne and some other sparkling wine categories were hurt by the economic downturn, Prosecco—and Mionetto—appear to have been helped by it. “Consumers are still looking for value alternatives but don’t want to compromise on quality,” says Enore Ceola, managing director of Mionetto USA.