Dirk van der Niepoort, the Portuguese winemaker has been honoured as winegrower of the year at the Wine Awards gala presentation by German culinary magazine Der Feinschmecker. Over the past two decades, Dirk van der Niepoort has been the motivating force behind the quality revolution in the Douro. The region, which in the best cases, was producing grapes for Port wine has developed into a highly respected appellation for impressive red wines and mineral-driven white wines. Niepoort has played an extremely important role in the process. When he vinified his first red wine in 1987, he was laughed at and even criticised but he has now been widely imitated. From year to year, his wines improve and become finer and more elegant. The winemaker had no classical training as a winemaker. He approached the region's wines with the eyes and the palate of a wine taster with extensive international experience. His philosophy is to recognise the specific characteristics of each … [Read more...]
Gorka Izagirre wines: Making the impossible possible
Visitors to the Basque country will have definitely tasted the Txakoli, a local white wine that is drunk everywhere you go. But outside the region, the wine is extremely difficult to find despite the fact that it washes down well with food. When you visit the Azurmendi galaxy, a three Michelin star restaurant a few kilometres outside Bilbao in the idyllic Larrabetzu, you will not only find the sister restaurant Eneko, recently awarded with a Michelin star but also the headquarters of Bodega Gorka Izagirre, a newish and enthusiastically patriotic Biscayan wine producer. And as you would expect from a wine that is served in Eneko Atxa's restaurants, the wines produced are of the highest quality white wines while remaining true to their unique identity and origins. The wines are made from the Hondarrabi Zuri and the Hondarrabi Zerratia varieties. These are Atlantic grapes that are cultivated locally in small and concerntrated clusters located on the hillsides of Biscay giving … [Read more...]
First ever auction for Emidio Pepe includes wine vintages dating back to 1967
Emidio Pepe will be auctioning wine dating back to 1967 in a collaboration with Zachys Wine Auction. Some of the most iconic vintages that have not been released for a long time because of the tiny stock left will will released in small quantities. "It is a unique occasion and an extraordinary moment," says Emidio Pepe "to be able to tell the history of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo with bottles that are full of life and have a sense of place." He believes that every season is different and hence the wine is different. "It is the only way to let the wine tell the story of the place, letting it register climate conditions. This is the cultural and historical function of wine," he says. In total, 53 vintages will be auctioned with Zachys. The wines have all been hand destemmed and fermented in concrete. All the aging took plae in the bottle. Emidio was a pioneer in aging Montepulciano not only per se but also in the bottle. According to him, they could preserve their integrity, … [Read more...]
2017: A very fine and abundant vintage for Austrian wine with winemakers describing it as a picture perfect year
Austria has reported a harvest that is good in terms of quality and volume. While worldwide 2017 saw the lowest level of wine production in years, Austria's yield of 2.6 million hl (according to October’s third harvest estimate) amounted to a quarter above the five-year average, which will go a long way to filling cellars that in many places have been rather empty. True, there were late frosts in 2017 as well as hailstorms, but both caused substantially less damage than in the previous year. Only the Weinviertel experienced a more modest harvest compared with the average, due to extremely arid conditions in one of the hottest summers in a long time. In general, this year was distinguished by constant fluctuations of temperature, setting meteorological records. 2017 began with the coldest January of the past thirty years, which in addition was also very dry – by contrast, February was extraordinarily warm. This was followed by the warmest month of March that had ever been recorded in … [Read more...]
The health benefits of wine
As if we need more excuses to drink wine! Although many of us have heard whispers about the health benefits of drinking wine, the average wine enthusiast doesn’t know much about positive effects of the fruit of the vine. Fortunately for us, a great deal of research has been done, and there are many more studies yet to come out about how and why wine is good for you. Today, we’ll cover what we know about how a glass or two in the evening can help you stay healthy. Red is Love, Red is Life Although we’re still awaiting the results of many studies about the health benefits of white wine, the general consensus around wine and health is that red wines pack the most positive punch. As with many fruits and vegetables, the healthy elements in wine occur mainly in the skin of the grape. So start stocking up on tannin heavy reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, or Syrah. Heart Health Among the most well-known and documented health benefits of drinking wine is its effect on the heart … [Read more...]
Trudie Styler and Sting launch Il Palagio tasting tour at ProWein in Dusseldorf
Trudie Styler and Sting have launched the Il Palagio Tasting Tour at this year's ProWein, the world's leading trade fair for wine and spirits that was held in Dusseldorf, Germany from March 19 to 21. The traveling caravan has been designed to create a welcoming atmosphere for wine lovers from all over the world as they stop to taste Il Palagio wines and learn more about the Tuscan estate and winery during Sting's tour. The Mayor of Dusseldorf and the Prowein team welcomed Sting and Styler at the Prowein fair on Sunday. During the event, Sting also paid tribute to the late, great Chuck Berry, playing Johnny B. Goode at the fair. Il Palagio, the winery owned by world renowned singer Sting and his wife Trudie Styler, a film producer, director and human rights activist Featuring wines named Sister Moon, When we Dance, Casino delle Vie, Beppe Rosato, Message in a Bottle White and Message in a Bottle Red, the first stop of the traveling caravan was in Dusseldorf. The … [Read more...]
Ichiyo Terauchi: From Japan to New Zealand with focus and determination
In the last in a series of interviews with new New Zealanders involved in the wine scene in New Zealand, Isabel Gilbert Palmer interviews Ichiyo Terauchi, sales and marketing executive of Te Mata Estate, New Zealand's oldest wineries Ichiyo, you are the last person I have chosen to interview in my series about new New Zealanders living and working in the Wine Industry in Hawkes Bay but you are working in a different but important area and are passionate member of the New Guard Group there. What is your interest and involvement in the industry? I am in Sales and Marketing Executive for Te Mata Estate. Its a family owned winery which was established in 1896 where the three original vineyards planted then are still in use and one of New Zealand's oldest like Mission Estate. What led you to come here? I first came to New Zealand when I was 17 years old on a school exchange program to learn English because I was fascinated by it as a language. At the time we could chose to study … [Read more...]
Dan Brennan: ‘Time makes the wine’ and time makes a wine career
Isabel Gilbert Palmer interviews Daniel Brennan, an American who has settled in New Zealand and is working to do something different with wines in Hawkes Bay. His advice to anyone taking a step towards a winemaking career is to be ready to work hard and not make much money for a very long time. He says its important to work with people who have the same mindset as yours and are passionate. Here is his story. Lets begin with a timeline Dan. What year did you come to New Zealand and specifically why? 2008 to study Wine Science at the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) in Hawkes Bay. Where do you live and from where did you come from originally ? I live in Hawkes Bay. I am New York-born, and grew up in Philadelphia in a Sicilian-Irish family. What brought you from the East Coast of USA not exactly known for wine growing to the East Coast of New Zealand and Hawkes Bay, well known for it? I can answer that partly with a question for you. Do you think tasting a wine … [Read more...]
Summer wine and cheese pairings – Jeriann Watkins
Summer is a great time for food-centered social activities. The weather is great for eating outdoors, meaning that people with small homes can utilize their yards or even local parks and invite as many of their friends and family as they want. I love hosting small get-togethers with friends. This year, my focus has been on brunch, because who doesn’t love a good mimosa in the morning? I also like to host wine and cheese tastings for my friends who love wine. Here’s how we set them up for maximum fun and class. Find a Theme When it comes to wine, you can pick a theme based on any number of factors. A few choices are: Country of origin Varietal Main taste profile (sweet, dry, etc) Colour If you build the theme around the wine, it’s easy to pick matching cheeses and music to accompany the night. If a region is involved, your theme can even affect your décor and outfits. Focus on the Pairings Of course you’re having a tasting to spend time with your friends, … [Read more...]
Guillaume Thomas (Maison Noir): A French harvest nomad follows his dream in New Zealand
Isabel Gilbert Palmer interviews a French man who has settled in Havenlock North, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand and who has just started to produce wine under the Maison Noir label. Like many in the food and wine world, he took a long time to find out what he wanted to do in life and after a life in music decided to work in the wine industry, studying winemaking and wine marketing and then becoming a harvest nomad to travel around the world. He finally settled in New Zealand, the place where he met his wife and had a daughter. Guillaume as the first New New Zealander in this series lets begin with.. So where are you from originally ? I was born and spent my childhood in a very small French village,there were only 12 homes, in La Vrignais in the Aigrefeuille-sur Maine, the Loire-Atlantique department of western France, in fact near the city of Nantes on the Atlantic coast, in Brittany. Its perhaps an assumption to say that because you were born in a historical wine growing … [Read more...]