Eve's Wine 101

Bordeaux Reports Historic 67% Annual U.S. Sales Increase

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BORDEAUX, FRANCE (PRWEB) – Bordeaux producers are feeling optimistic about the U.S. wine market. The Bordeaux Wine Council (C.I.V.B.) reports that year-end 2021 sales of Bordeaux wines in the U.S. increased 67% in value to peak at $395 million (349 million euros), and 24% in volume to reach 247,000 HL as compared to 2020. The 2021 results represented the highest volume sales increase of Bordeaux wines to the U.S. over a 12-month period since 1985.

The United States was the second largest export market for Bordeaux wines, by volume and value. The recognition of quality and affordability of the 2018 and 2019 Bordeaux wine vintages, as well as the suspension of the 25% tariffs on French wines contributed to the acceleration of Bordeaux wine sales and bodes well for the future. These strong business results coincide with new benchmarks in sustainability: as of fall 2021, more than 75% of Bordeaux vineyards are certified sustainable, an all-time high which has driven positive trade and consumer recognition.

“We are thrilled with our sales results in the U.S.,” said Bernard Farges, President of the Bordeaux Wine Council (C.I.V.B.) “It is a credit to the people of Bordeaux and our many U.S. partners to have overcome recent challenges and create opportunity for growth across such a wide range of Bordeaux wines.”

The strong growth reveals sustained momentum for the Bordeaux category in the U.S. wine market. Upward sales trends have impacted 65 of Bordeaux’s diverse AOCs (Appellations d’Origine Contrôlées), and all wine styles: reds, dry whites, rosé, sweet, and sparkling wines. While red wines remain the most prominent category, dry white Bordeaux wines have become increasingly popular: the U.S. is now the number one market for dry white Bordeaux, representing 5.2 million bottles in annual sales. Overall, American consumers have supported growth across a wide range of Bordeaux wines ranging from more affordable, everyday selections to classified growths from prestige AOCs such as Médoc (Pauillac, St. Estèphe, Saint Julien, Margaux), Graves and Saint-Émilion.

To support positive trends, the Bordeaux wine region is committed to continuing investment in dynamic U.S. marketing and education campaigns that support increased consumer and trade awareness, including outreach to young consumers and buyers who place a high value on sustainability.

ABOUT Bordeaux Wine Council (C.I.V.B.)
Bordeaux Wine Council (C.I.V.B.) was created by the French Law dated August 18, 1948. It unites representatives from the three families in the Bordeaux wine industry: winegrowers, merchants and traders. The CIVB’s 4 missions:

  • Marketing mission: stimulate demand for Bordeaux wines, recruit new, younger consumers and ensure their loyalty to the brand. Provide education for the trade and strengthen relationships.
  • Technical mission: build knowledge, protect the quality of Bordeaux wines and anticipate new requirements related to environmental, CSR and food safety regulations.
  • Economic mission: provide intelligence on production, the market, the environment and sale of Bordeaux wines around the world.
  • The industry’s general interests: protect the terroirs, fight counterfeiting, develop wine tourism.

Arizona’s Female Winemakers

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Did you know that many of Arizona’s wineries are female owned and/or operated? The state’s governor recently recognized the flourishing wine region as an important sector in agribusiness, employment, and tourism by designating this past March 2022 as Arizona’s first official Wine Month. Here is a list of some of the women helping create Arizona’s award winning wines:

Julia Dixon, Winemaker, 1764 Vineyards

 Julia Dixon’s passion for winemaking didn’t begin until her 24th wedding anniversary in October 2012 during a visit to the Verde Valley. Two years later she moved from Phoenix to Cottonwood and began her studies in viticulture and enology at Yavapai College. After her graduation in 2016, Julia and her husband purchased their own land in Pearce,  founded 1764 Vineyards, and she began interning at Four Tails Vineyard. Today, Julia is the head winemaker at their 30-acre property working with Petit Verdot, Picpoul Blanc, and Vermentino varieties.  

Brooke Lowry Ide, Winemaker, Vino Stache Winery

Brooke’s winemaking journey began in 2014 when she enrolled at Yavapai College studying viticulture and enology. She has interned at Four Eight Wineworks, Caduceus Cellars, Merkin Vineyards, and Callaghan Vineyards. In 2019, she began her one-woman operation at her own winery, Vino Stache Winery. She has delayed planting on her 54-acre property, but is building her brand with fruit sourced from several Arizona growers. Her first wines were bottled in 2021. 

Megan Stranik, Co-Owner, AZ Hops & Vines

Megan was introduced to the world of winemaking at Sonoita Vineyard where she spent a year as a volunteer, helping tend the farm. For many years after, she worked at various wineries learning the process of winemaking, but owning her own winery was always her goal. Today, she co-owns AZ Hops & Vines with her sister, Shannon, where you can almost always find her tending to the vineyards.

Shannon Austin Zouzoulas, Co-Owner, AZ Hops & Vines

Shannon grew up in Southern California and attended the University of Maryland. After returning to California, she began volunteering at wineries and festivals and began conspiring with her sister on how to get into the industry themselves. While her sister handles viticulture and oenology, Shannon was inspired in the marketing, hospitality and agro-tourism side of the business. She spends her days creating fun events, meeting great people, trying new wines, and marketing their winery.

Monica Preston, Owner, Birds & Barrels Vineyards

Monica Preston founded Birds & Barrels Vineyards on 50-acres of land with her husband Chad in 2015 with the goal of crafting ultra-premium Arizona wines. Though she does not have a background in viticulture, her passion and drive to learn has been helpful on this adventure. Monica handles water management, herbicide and pesticide management, fertilizer regiments in the vineyard, vine assessments, petiole, and fruit sampling prior to harvest. She also handles the wine club and Founders program planning and coordination. Though they have been called crazy many times along this journey, they remain ambitious and plan to expand while planting in 2023.

Gayle Glomski, Bree Nation, Lauren Maldonado, Page Springs Cellars 

Gayle, Bree, and Lauren all work at Page Springs Cellars in Cornville, Arizona where most of the workers are women. The three came together and collaborated on Vin de Filles (Girls’ wine in French), a wine produced by women to highlight feminine strength within the world of wine. The women care for specific rows of vines for their entire growing cycle, then bring their harvest to the cellar to ferment, press, and bottle their wine. The majority of profits from the sales of these wines benefit The Verde Valley Sanctuary, a local nonprofit that supports women who are victims of domestic abuse, assault, and human trafficking. This project not only empowers women in wine, but also in the community.

Valerie Wood, Heart Wood Cellars 

Valerie Wood moved to Arizona with her husband Daniel in 2009 for a new lifestyle and plans to contribute and participate in the growing sector of the Arizona wine industry. In 2013, she began studying viticulture and enology at Yavapai College in the Verde Valley while working part time at the Yavapai College Southwest Wine Center planting the college’s new vineyard. In 2015 she graduated with honors and her degree and was invited to join the Four Eight Wineworks-Caduceus Cellars winery family. In 2016 Heart Wood Cellars released its first vintage following the guidelines of their business model – to craft wines they love and want to share with others. 

Desiree Gerth, Owner and Winemaker, Strive Vineyards 

Desiree Gerth moved to Arizona with her husband shortly after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While on a weekend vacation to Arizona wine country, they decided to try to make their own wine with a home winemaking kit purchased from a local brew shop. Though the first batch was undrinkable, they persisted, first creating an in-home winery and then looking for their own land in Willcox. She and her husband with the help of family and friends have built everything themselves from the ground up – fencing, gates, irrigation systems, trellis systems, utility shed and more. They are completely off-grid utilizing solar power for their well pump and green, sustainable farming practices. In 2018 she began her professional winery career at Golden Rule Vineyards, and today oversees administration and operations for Strive Vineyards and works in all areas of wine production, winery management, and operations at Cochise Wine Co.

Peggy Fiandaca, Owner/Brand Manager, LDV Winery

After an incredibly successful career in Urban Planning, Peggy and her husband set out on their “second act” – wine. Wine was always a passion they shared; they traveled the world drinking, collecting, and absorbing everything they could about wine. They are often asked if owning a winery was their lifelong dream, but it was purely serendipitous (or a mid-life crisis). LDV winery sits on a 40-acre property, grows Rhone grape varieties, and produces about 2,500-3,000 cases per year. On a day to day basis, Peggy is responsible for strategic planning and analytics, wine marketing, public relations, sales, tasting room operations, contracts, regulations, trademarks, website, social media and all staffing. Peggy has served on the Arizona Wine Growers Association board as Secretary and President for two terms. She is a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier International and Women at the Top, a female business owner networking group.

Carla Milić, Wineworker, Los Milics Vineyard

Carla was born and raised in Chile, but the bulk of her training has been in Sonoita with local winemakers. She took a few courses at the University of California, Davis and also assisted during a harvest in Chile. Los Milics Vineyard is located in Elgin; it sits on 20 acres with 12.5 acres being under vine. Since the winery opened for tastings, Carla is responsible for greeting guests and guiding them through their tasting and providing tours of the construction site where the new tasting room and casitas will be located. Once harvest peaks, Carla will be receiving fruit, processing, cleaning, and monitoring fermentations. Her favorite part of the job is nurturing vines from infancy through their entire growth cycle. Carla continues to be inspired by other independent and hardworking women in the wine industry.

Ann Roncone, Owner/Winemaker, Lightning Ridge Cellars

Ann was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area. She worked an office job and winemaking was her hobby. For about five years, she read books on winemaking and viticulture, planted vines at home, took courses at the University of California, Davis, and worked harvests at local wineries. When she and her husband decided to pursue a career in wine, they couldn’t afford land in California, and decided to visit the Arizona viticulture area as her husband had gone to college in Tucson. In 2003, they purchased land in the Sonoita/Elgin AVA and in 2004 they began the process of starting a vineyard and winery from scratch. Lightning Ridge Cellars is located in Elgin and specializes in Italian varietals. It is hard to say what she enjoys most about winemaking, but the amount of time she spends outside is definitely among the top things.  

Kim Reed, Assistant Manager/Wine Club Coordinator, Javelina Leap Vineyard, Winery & Bistro

Kim came into the wine industry somewhat by accident after working in a community care and hospital as a Registered Dietitian for 10 years. Her in-laws, Rod and Cynthia Snapp own Javelina Leap, and when her husband Lucas took over as GM and head winemaker, it was quickly apparent that he was going to need help. In March 2020, Kim joined the family business, initially as the Wine Club and Event Coordinator. Since then, her role has grown to include helping the tasting room manager, serving as office manager, booking bands, shipping wine, answering emails and filling in the gaps wherever needed. Most of her wine knowledge comes from being around the business and family the last seven years, however she will be pursuing a Level 1 Sommelier certification in the future.  

Lori Dutt Reynolds, Winemaker, Sonoita Vineyards 

Lori is a third generation winemaker in Arizona with a Certificate in Enology and Viticulture from the University of California, Davis. She was inspired to join the wine industry by her grandfather, Dr. Gordon Dutt – the founder of the Arizona Wine Industry. Lori loves the art and science behind creating wine and her favorite parts of the job are blending wine and working in the vineyards with her family. It is important to her to have her children involved in Sonoita Vineyards to work and learn the wine industry first hand like she did.

Young Italian Winemakers Champion Sustainability and Innovation

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Five days before the ministers of agriculture representing the world’s largest economies met in Florence, Italy, for a G20 summit, a group of young Italian wine professionals held a symposium of their own. AGIVI, the Association of Young Italian Wine Entrepreneurs, hosted the convention on Sept. 12, 2021, at the same city’s Palazzo Vecchio, to discuss some of the most pressing questions about the future of Italian wine. How would wine fit into the global drive toward sustainability, also a G20 focus? And, more broadly, how could the up-and-coming generation in the industry reach young wine lovers in an increasingly competitive global marketplace?

“Young people think, plan and work in a green mindset”, said Violante Gardini Cinelli Colombini, president of AGIVI, which is a branch of the national UIV (Unione Italiana Vini) and export sales manager of Casato Prime Donne winery in Montalcino. “From the vineyard to the cellar, ranging from the choice of packaging to that of transport to the services offered in the company, the initiatives of the new generations are increasingly developed from a sustainable perspective, with specific actions aimed at achieving objectives that are as respectful of the environment as possible.”

According to a survey made on the AGIVI members, 94% believe sustainability provides a decisive competitive edge, with nearly 70% choosing suppliers based in part on the sustainability of their proposals. Another survey presented at the convention found that 70% of millennial wine tourists would be more likely to visit wineries with ethical labor practices, and 70% favored companies that helped disadvantaged communities. Canned wines, carbon emissions and pesticide alternatives have also been hot topics in AGIVI’s ongoing dialogue about sustainability.

While AGIVI has been exploring environmental and social initiatives, its members have also been navigating new technologies in viticulture and sales, along with new platforms, customers and tastes—while preserving the heritage that has long made Italian wine unique. In 2021, AGIVI members gathered to exchange knowledge in regions like Umbria and Trentino; they contributed to social media webinars, and panels and tastings at Vinitaly and in New York. Along the way, they discussed creative enotourism, labeling and transparency tools like QR codes, and distribution platforms like e-commerce.

“Our job is very challenging, we never stop learning and the wine industry is in continuous development,” explained Emanuele Rocca, export sales manager of Rocca Vini, which includes estates in Piedmont and Puglia. Rocca cited the cultivation of new and “forgotten” varieties, waste reduction in production and packaging, the embrace of e-commerce and social media, an enhanced cellar door experience, and expansion into lesser-known regions like Salento (the “heel” of Italy’s boot) as new ways the company is carrying on the family tradition of innovation. “Our grandpa didn’t teach us to ride a bike but taught us interesting wine secrets,” said Rocca. Among younger drinkers, Rocca notices a movement toward lower-alcohol wines and, most encouraging, an increased interest in wine education.

“I’m optimistic,” said Rocca, “because I see the young generations focus on the quality of the product.”
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The program: European quality wines: taste the difference is a project financed by the European Union and managed by Unione Italiana Vini and PRODECA for the promotion of PDO and PGI European wines abroad in China and US. In order to achieve this objective, the TTD.EU program will organize wine seminars, workshops and b2b meetings both in these countries and in Spain and Italy, inviting wine professionals to join study trips to Europe. The program, realized in the span of three years (2021-2023) aims at creating awareness about European quality wines, in particular Italian and Spanish, which share a long tradition and a high standard of quality.

The beneficiaries: Unione Italiana Vini is the oldest and most commissioned Association of the Italian wine market. It represents cooperative, private and agricultural wine-companies, bottlers, consortia, associations and wine-making machines or wine cellars / laboratory manufacturers, located throughout the Italian territory. Promotora de Exportaciones Catalanas (PRODECA) is a public company established in 1986 and part of the “Ministry of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda of the Government of Catalonia”. It supports the agri-food sector and its companies with the knowledge, tools and experience to increase their products in Catalunya and worldwide.

Green Wine Future 2022 adds “Wine For The Planet” to Program

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Miami, Florida- Green Wine Future 2022, the most important professional summit featuring sustainability and climate change for the international wine sector, announces the addition of “Wine for the Planet” (W4P) to its May 23-26, 2022, program.

W4P will showcase the wine industry’s work in protecting areas of the Earth most sensitive to the climate crisis, including:

  • Antarctica, Greenland, the Arctic
  • Coral reefs in different parts of our planet
  • The Amazon and other rainforests
  • Countries already suffering from water shortages and floods

Based on documentaries recorded and presented by W4P founder Pancho Campo and his team from the above listed regions, W4P will stream free globally during regular breaks of Green Wine Future. Those interested, may view the films through Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, where the team will highlight wine tastings in Greenland, Iceland, Antarctica, the Amazon, and the Great Coral Reef.

Wine for the Planet will show:

  • The vital importance of protecting these sensitive areas from impacts of climate change
  • That we are all interconnected throughout our planet
  • That all industries must attend to these issues, regardless of their professional activity.

“Our first expedition will take us to Greenland, the Arctic and Island where we will record amazing footage of the impact of climate change on the Inuit and the local economy, but we will also taste some wine as a gesture of the industry for protecting these extreme but very sensitive areas,” says Pancho Campo.

With many more to follow, Green Wine Future now has more than 60 confirmed speakers representing all elements of the wine business – scientists, academics, media, and celebrities will all add their own unique perspectives. These wine industry luminaries are scheduled to participate both through live and pre-recorded connections from vineyards and wineries, coupled with streaming documentaries premiering at Green Wine Future 2022.

“W4P will occur virtually from five continents containing eight of the planet’s wine regions; California, Chile, Portugal, South Africa, France, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, to minimize its carbon footprint, to ensure that it be truly global, and to avoid impacts caused by the pandemic,” says David Furer.

The promo video, Information about The Wine for the Planet program, confirmed speakers, alliances and partners, and registrations may be found at www.greenwinefuture.com.

Really Good Boxed Wine Announces Master Sommelier Endorsement With Its National Launch

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HEALDSBURG, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Really Good Boxed Wine, the new direct-to-consumer wine brand whose mission is to elevate the quality of boxed wines, announces the release of its 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from a Certified Sustainable in Practice (SIP) vineyard in Paso Robles.

“Andy Myers, the first Master Sommelier to become affiliated with a boxed wine.”

This is the brand’s first broadly available release after two limited releases of a 2020 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, each time selling out in a few days. Really Good Boxed Wine is available as either a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription.

The launch of the latest varietal comes with an endorsement from Andy Myers, the first Master Sommelier to become affiliated with a boxed wine. He found his love of wine while working at the three Michelin Star Inn at Little Washington and never looked back, later spending almost a decade as the beverage director for Chef José Andrés ThinkFoodGroup.

The Master Sommelier diploma is the highest distinction a professional can attain in fine wine and beverage service. There are only 269 Master Sommeliers worldwide, including 172 in the United States, with many sommeliers dedicating their lives to achieve this elusive designation.

“Boxed wine has gotten a bad rap from wine drinkers who perceive it as being inferior,” said Myers. “But since most of today’s wines don’t need to be aged in a bottle, it makes sense to take high-end wines like those offered by Really Good Boxed Wine and create better and more sustainable packaging, without inhibiting the drinking experience. I was thoroughly impressed with all of the wines Really Good Boxed Wine is releasing, and am excited to be part of their journey.”

Really Good Boxed Wine’s founder Jake Whitman concurs with Myers’ mission to revamp the image of boxed wine while helping to address the wine industry’s carbon emissions due to bottle manufacturing.

“Really Good Boxed Wine’s goal is to create the best boxed wine in the United States, and we’re beyond thrilled that Andy loved our wine enough to endorse it after trying it,” said Whitman. “Far from mass-produced, commercially farmed grapes, our wine is directly sourced from respected vineyards and award-winning winemakers. I believe boxed wines are one of the clearest ways to help reduce the carbon impact of packaging in our industry, and our hope is Andy’s incredible palate and Master Sommelier credentials will help educate consumers on the quality of our wine.”

Whitman followed, “Our team of sommeliers and industry experts tasted more than 50 options to find the perfect wine for our January release, ultimately landing on our new 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles. We can’t wait to share it with the world.”

Each 3 Liter box of Really Good Boxed Wine, the equivalent of four bottles of wine, sells for $65, or $16.25 per bottle. Wines of this caliber typically retail for a minimum of to per bottle.

Consumers enjoy up to a 60% savings versus comparable premium wine bottles, since packaging costs and shipping are significantly lower.

Really Good Boxed Wine’s next varietals include a 2021 Pinot Noir Rosé from the Russian River Valley in February, followed by a 2021 Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County in March. For more information, visit https://www.reallygoodboxedwine.com.

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About Really Good Boxed Wine:
Really Good Boxed Wine combats the misconception that high-quality wine can’t be put in a box. They partner with world-class vineyards and award-winning winemakers to make ultra-premium wine, put it in the boxed wine format, and sell it direct-to-consumer through http://www.reallygoodboxedwine.com. It’s boxed wine you actually want to drink.

Abadía Retuerta is one of the most sustainable resorts in the world!

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Abadía Retuerta, one of the most sustainable resorts in the world, according to Green Globe

  • Green Globe is the worldwide certification of excellence that endorses the tourism industry’s green credentials
  • This recognition has only been awarded to 650 hotels in the world, just four of which are in Spain
  • This Green Globe certificate is the latest in a long line of awards granted to Abadía Retuerta, including the Michelin Green Star for the restaurant Refectorio, the Wineries for Climate Protection seal of approval, and the Family-Responsible Company certification

Eve’s article in Elite Magazine about the amazing Abadia Retuerta Le Domaine

Sardón de Duero, January 2022.- Abadía Retuerta, the five-star hotel and winery located in the Duero Valley, has been granted the Green Globe certificate, which commends the site as one of the most sustainable destination resorts in the world. A total of 650 hotels around the world have been given this recognition, just four of which are in Spain.

Green Globe is the worldwide certification of excellence that endorses the tourism industry’s green credentials. In order to gain this recognition, resorts must meet certain standards set by the organisation, with regards to aspects such as corporate social responsibility, conservation, and the responsible management of waste, energy and water.

Abadía Retuerta successfully passed the exhaustive audit, carried out independently and in situ by the international organisation, thanks to the sustainable practices implemented in all its work areas. They include the conservation of the site’s natural legacy, the ethical and sustainable management of resources, investment in renewable energies, caring for the surrounding environment, supporting local suppliers and their produce, cultivating a vegetable garden, engaging with social issues, reducing waste, and offering experiences related to nature. All of this has led to Abadía Retuerta being certified as a sustainable tourist destination.

This is the latest in a long line of awards and certificates that laud this destination of experiences as a truly sustainable resort. These include a Michelin Green Star for the flagship restaurant Refectorio, awarded in recognition of its focus on local and seasonal produce, as well the cultivation of as its own vegetable garden; the Wineries for Climate Protection seal of approval, granted by the Spanish Wine Federation for the ethical and sustainable management of both the winery and the environment; and the Family-Responsible Company certification, from the Fundación Más Familia, awarded for the “Responsible Choices” programme that includes flexible workspaces (i.e. working from home or elsewhere) as well as the investment in internal training (0.5% of total turnover) that Abadía Retuerta has brought in for its collaborators.

For Enrique Valero, CEO of Abadía Retuerta, “it is an honour for Abadía Retuerta to receive the Green Globe certificate, and to be named as one of the most sustainable resorts in the world. It is truly gratifying that our many years of hard work has been acknowledged in this way, in terms of our sustainable management and our vision for excellence in tourism, both of which we are strongly committed to achieving”. This award further highlights the destination’s commitment to sustainability, and Valero adds that “we will keep working with these aims, strengthening the policies we’ve already brought in, but also setting ourselves new challenges. These include our new “Plastic-Free” initiative for 2022, our Woodland Management Plans, and a more active contribution to the implementation of a circular economy, via renewable energy”.

A Sustainable Experience

Sustainability is one of Abadía Retuerta’s fundamental pillars, a view now shared by many tourists. Sustainability has gone from being a trend, to being a key aspect of travel. “Tourists no longer just restrict their search to the location, history or reputation of the destination. Today, they want to make sure that their getaways are sustainable and environmentally-friendly, with forays into nature. They also want to stay in places that champion the local culture and produce, while making as little environmental impact as possible”, notes Valero.

Abadía Retuerta is home to a rich historical and natural legacy, with a 12th-century church and over 700 hectares of land. It is renowned for its winemaking, gastronomy and first-rate hospitality, ensuring that it stands out as a leading resort of experiences, both nationally and internationally. Recently, it won a 2021 Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice Award, as voted for by customers. It now aims to become the most sustainable destination for a relaxing getaway.

Napa Valley Wine Region Recognized for World Class Hospitality

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Visit Napa Valley and Napa Valley Vintners are pleased to announce seven regional winners of the Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Awards.

“Napa Valley is a globally recognized leader in wine and hospitality providing luxurious accommodations, Michelin starred restaurants and incredible wine experiences. These awards of excellence highlight the world-class hospitality that Napa Valley is so well known for,” said Linsey Gallagher, President and CEO of Visit Napa Valley.

These seven Napa Valley businesses are recognized for their innovation and excellence in wine tourism. Each award given recognizes a service or offering that is unique, executed with excellence and has a positive impact on local wine tourism.

  • Accommodations: Carneros Resort and Spa
  • Wine Tourism Restaurant: Auberge du Soleil
  • Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices: Clif Family Winery & Farm
  • Architectures and Landscapes: BRAND Napa Valley
  • Art and Culture: Charles Krug
  • Wine Tourism Services: Napa Valley Wine Academy
  • Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences: Cakebread Cellars

Each year, the regional winners from each capital around the world are reviewed by a distinguished global panel and only one prestigious “Global Best of Wine Tourism Award” is awarded for each category.

Charles Krug has been selected for the Global Best Award for Art and Culture for their efforts to be the “Cultural Hub of Napa Valley” through their deep support of food, wine and the arts. As Napa Valley reopened in 2021, Charles Krug was home to Blue Note Napa for jazz concerts, Festival Napa Valley, Music in the Vineyards, Cochon 555/Heritage Fire culinary celebration, Charles Krug comedy shows, Napa Valley Film Festival and Cameo Theater drive in movies.

“We’re proud of the resiliency shown in our region during the incredible challenges our region has faced the last two years. Charles Krug is an excellent example of the spirit of community and innovation that is so strong in Napa Valley,” said Stacey Dolan Capitani, VP of Marketing for Napa Valley Vintners.

The Great Wine Capitals is a network of the nine greatest wine regions in the world.  Napa Valley is a proud partner in the organization along with Adelaide, South Australia; Bilbao-Rioja, Spain; Bordeaux, France; Cape Town-Cape Winelands, South Africa; Lausanne, Switzerland; Mainz-Rheinhessen, Germany; Mendoza, Argentina; Porto, Portugal; Valparaiso-Casablanca Valley, Chile and Verona, Italy

About the Napa Valley Vintners 

The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been cultivating excellence since 1944 by inspiring its nearly 550 members to consistently produce wines of the highest quality, provide environmental leadership and care for the extraordinary place they call home. Since 1981, the NVV has invested more than $200 million in its community to provide equitable access to healthcare and opportunity for advancement in children’s education. NVV is dedicated to improving diversity and championing inclusivity in its community and in the wine industry. Learn more at napavintners.com.

About Visit Napa Valley

Visit Napa Valley® is the official destination management organization for Napa County. We promote the region as an attractive travel destination and enhance its public image as a dynamic place to visit, live and work. Primary funding for our activities and programs comes from a Tourism Improvement District (TID) special assessment on lodging. Additional funding is provided through partnerships with visitor-serving businesses throughout Napa County.

Tasting Sustainable Wines From Herdade do Esporão

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It’s been a while since I’ve had the opportunity to taste and study wines from Portugal so I was very interested in sampling four that I‘d never had before – two whites and two reds from Herdade do Esporão – and learning all about them. Here is an excerpt from the invitation:

Esporão Group Chairman João Roquette, one of the most influential people in the Portuguese wine industry today, will brief us on Esporao Group, his vision for the future and his take on the Portuguese wine industry. Herdade do Esporão lead winemaker, Sandra Alves, will talk about the estate and taste through the wines.

What I Learned

Both Roquette and Alves shared the efforts that the winery has made in creating holistic, sustainable and organic vineyards via composting, natural pest control, no chemicals in the farming, beneficial insects, animal grazing and soil maintenance. They spent twelve years educating themselves and visiting other wineries as they worked on their own sustainable program, and are now 100% organic.

Alves has 20 years of experience with Esporão. And Roquette’s family has owned the winery for two generations. Their workers are all part of the team, sharing in the work and benefits.

Their products, including olive oil and a craft brewery, express their agricultural place. Eighty percent of their products were originally sold in Portugal, now that percentage has gone down to thirty-five with the balance being sold internationally.

They do purchase some grapes beyond their estate for entry-level wine.And they produce 16 billion bottles per year, though their country is not large like Spain or France, more the size of Holland.

The Wines (Abbreviated technical sheet information, and finding some of the same tasting notes, are all in italics)

Esporão Colheita White 2020 / SRP $18

Concept: Wine produced solely from grapes grown at Herdade do Esporão, applying organic farming methods. Expresses the typical features of this vintage, diversity of the soil where the vines are planted, as well as the character and identity of the selected varieties.

Grape Varieties: Antão Vaz, Viosinho, Alvarinho and others. 13.5% alcohol

EB Notes: Golden Delicious yellow apple, white flower, lemon zest and green tea on the nose with flavors that were fresh and zesty, lemon, grapefruit and minerals with a long finish.

Esporão Reserva White 2020 / SRP $20

Concept: A classic wine obtained exclusively from our organic grapes. The diversity of Herdade do Esporão, together with the different characteristics of the grape varieties, the soils, the maturity of the vines and the character of those who make this wine consistently over the years, results in a rich, intense but always harmonious wine.

Grape Varieties: Antão Vaz, Arinto, Roupeiro and others. 13.5% alcohol.

Awards from Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast. 

EB Notes: Aromas of bruised fruit, incense and a surprise of mint followed by a mouth that reminded me of an older wine though it was young, balanced fruit, flint, smoke, muted but interesting.

Esporão Colheita Red 2018 / SRP $18

Concept: Wine with sense of place, intense, direct, and vibrant. Expresses the typical features of the vintage year, diversity of the soil where the vines are planted, as well as the character and identity of the selected varieties.

Grape Varieties: Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Touriga Franca, Cabernet Sauvignon and Alicante Bouschet. 14% alcohol.

Awards from Wine Spectator.

EB Notes: Hello LEATHER on the nose, like a well-worn saddle! That blew off somewhat but still lingered with the addition of sweat, tree bark and dark fruit. On the palate I noted dry fruit, that same smoke, oak, Espresso and tannins.

Esporão Reserva Red 2018 / SRP $25

Concept: The first wine made by Esporão in 1985. Obtained from grapes grown at Herdade do Esporão, it shows the consistency and rich character typical of the best Alentejo wines.

Label illustrated by Anne Geene.

Grape Varieties: Aragonez, Trincadeira, Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alicante Bouschet. 14.5% alcohol.

High scores from Robert Parker and Wine Enthusiast.

EB Notes: Earthy, dark fruit, velvety, fennel, green peppercorn, spice rack – very aromatic aromas. The taste had the same spicy qualities as well as a sweetness that counterbalanced all of the dark berry flavors, very long finish.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Wines of Alentejo Announces Rigorous Sustainability Certification: Four Wineries Qualified to Date

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EVORA, PORTUGAL (PRWEB) – Certification details were unveiled in August 2020. Qualifying wineries must comply with 86% or more of 171 demanding WASP criteria at the most advanced level. Areas covered are viticulture, vinification, and social responsibility, including employee well-being and benefits for the local community. Independent verification is handled by one of four certifying agencies: Bureau Veritas, Certis, Kiwa Sativa, and SGS.

Herdade dos Grous

Herdade dos Grous manager and oenologist Luís Duarte comments, “As the first winery in Portugal to achieve this level of sustainability certification, we are proud to help promote the image of Portugal and, especially, Alentejo as home to some of the world’s most ecologically and socially responsible wines, bar none.” Herdade dos Grous’ highly regarded “Moon Harvested” a 100% Alicante Bouschet, is one of the first wines to sport the new logo.

WASP debuted just five years ago under the auspices of Portugal’s Comissão Vitivinícola Regional Alentejana (CVRA), aka Wines of Alentejo.

Starting with an impressive 96 members at the end of 2015, that number currently stands at 483 out of a universe of 1,800 winegrowers and 260 wineries.

Members represent nearly 50% of Alentejo’s vineyard area.

Under the WASP auspices, 600 individuals have received one-on-one training or attended classes. A further 1,500 have attended sustainable winegrowing workshops. Key to the program’s success is the focus on helping partners save money: a simple water and electricity monitoring plan, for example, can reduce consumption by 20% to 30%. But João Barroso is especially proud of the program’s leadership role. He is confident that not only other Portuguese regions but other areas and countries around the world will step up to the sustainability challenge.

Alentejo Regional Winegrowing Commission (Comissão Vitivinícola Regional Alentejana/CVRA): Founded in 1989 as a private institution, dedicated to certifying, controlling, and protecting Alentejo’s wine industry and culture. CVRA is also responsible for promoting Alentejo wines domestically and in selected international markets. Funding comes from the certification process, which is proven by the certification seal placed on the back label of the Alentejo bottles and attests to the guarantee of origin and the quality standard of the wine.

100 Percent Cork Survey Reveals That Cork Closures Seal 91 Percent of the World’s Top Wines

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – According to a recent survey conducted on behalf of 100% Cork and APCOR (The Portuguese Cork Association), 91 percent of the world’s top wines selected by Wine Spectator in 2021 are sealed with cork closures. The survey also revealed that of the 33 domestic wines selected, 31 were sealed with cork (94 percent), while 60 of the 67 imported wines that made the Wine Spectator list were also sealed with cork closures (89.5 percent).

100% Cork has conducted surveys of the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 every year since 2016, with cork closure usage historically ranging from between 84% to 90% of the wines selected for the list. 2021 represents the highest number recorded since tracking began.

“Given the incredible natural properties of cork, it makes sense that the majority of the best wines from around the world are sealed with cork,” says Carlos de Jesus, operational director of the InterCork program of APCOR. “Its lightness, elasticity, carbon sequestration, and ability to provide consistent oxygen transfer to help with wine’s evolution, are just a few of cork’s characteristics.”

Cork closures continue to be the market leader for the wine market in the U.S., highlighted by significant growth in both sales and market share over the past decade. Between 2010 and 2020, case sales of cork finished wines among the top 100 premium brands increased 97 percent compared to 6 percent for alternative closures, according to Nielsen. During the last ten years, market share of premium cork finished wines jumped from 47 percent to 67.6 percent.

Natural cork closures have a negative carbon balance when used to seal wines bottled in glass containers, according to recent studies conducted by three of the world’s largest auditing companies. A single stopper has a balance of up to – 309 grams of CO2; numbers for sparkling wine stoppers go even higher at up to – 589 grams.

As a renewable and natural product, cork is harvested without damaging or cutting down the trees, which live for 200 years or longer. During its lifetime a cork oak tree can absorb 20 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere while producing up to 65,000 corks. Through sustainable harvesting, the cork industry is helping to fight climate change by preserving Europe’s largest oak forests from deforestation, while also providing high-paying jobs for agricultural farmers.

Since 1988, Wine Spectator has released its annual Top 100 list, selecting the best wines from the thousands reviewed during the year. According to the magazine, the criteria used to create this highly-regarded, annual list focus on quality, value, availability and excitement.

The information collected in this survey was conducted through individual phone calls and emails to the wineries, importers and distributors listed in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 List of 2021.

For more information about APCOR, visit http://www.apcor.pt and http://www.100percentcork.org. You can follow APCOR and the 100% Cork campaign on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For questions about APCOR, please contact Augustus Weed or Leah Isenberg at Colangelo & Partners.

About 100% Cork
100% Cork is an educational communications campaign about wine cork stoppers. The mission of the campaign is to provide the wine industry and consumers with the latest information and research on the benefits of natural cork. The campaign was established by the Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR) with support from the Cork Quality Council to increase awareness of the unique qualities and sustainability of natural cork.

About APCOR
Associação Portuguesa da Cortiça (APCOR) exists to represent and promote the Portuguese cork industry and its products. APCOR is the employers’ association of national scope, created in 1956 and is based in Santa Maria de Lamas, at the heart of the cork industry around 30 kilometers from Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. Membership of the association is open to all companies operating in the fields of production, marketing or export of cork products. The organization advocates on behalf of the Portuguese cork industry worldwide and is the driving force of an industry based on tradition, innovation and sustainability.