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🥸 Brad Pitt accused of faking a winemaker role

🥸 Brad Pitt accused of faking a winemaker role

In this weeks DECORKED digest, you will read all about harvest projections, U.S. market trends, non-alcoholic wine industry and much much more.

July 16, 2023

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Happy Sunday! Hope you’ve had a wonderful week! In this week’s DECORKED digest, you will read all about harvest projections, U.S. market trends, zero-alcohol wines, and much much more.

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INTERESTING THIS WEEK

🤺 The battle to save Piedmont’s Barbera amid climate change READ HERE

👾 Japanese distiller releases video game-themed whiskey READ HERE

💰 Australian government invests to improve no/low wines READ HERE

🍇 Vital Wines puts 'purpose in every pour' for its workers READ HERE

♻️ Alliance aims to formalize waste removal from tastings READ HERE

👑 Five lessons from the business of fine wine READ HERE

Collection of partnerships and collaborations.

📌 AMBLE WINE PARTNERSHIP - Explore the world of wine with Amble Wine's comprehensive World Wine Map Workbooks and challenging Wine Quiz Workbook, masterfully crafted by wine scholar Lea Gatinois. As our valued reader, enjoy a 5% discount on these premium, eco-friendly resources using code DECORKED at checkout (or click HERE). Expand your wine expertise today!

We curate, filter, and select only the most exciting and important news for you.

BORDEAUX HIT BY SECOND BOUT OF MILDEW

Bordeaux has been struck by a second wave of mildew, posing challenges for grape growers in the renowned wine region. The return of the disease is attributed to a combination of rain, warm weather, and a lack of wind, creating conditions conducive to mildew development. The head of the Cérons Winegrowers' Union, Aurélia Souchal-Caumont, expressed concerns about the persistent high humidity that is preventing the grapes from drying out. The impact of mildew has been particularly notable on red varieties, with Merlot being one of the most affected.

Grapegrowers in Bordeaux have been actively combatting the spread of mildew through multiple passes in the vines. However, despite their efforts, some vineyards have already suffered losses. As the growing season progresses toward harvest, the future impact of the disease remains uncertain. Experts are closely monitoring the situation, assessing whether mildew will progress further onto the stalks of the grape bunches. The resurgence of mildew underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Bordeaux's wine industry and the need for vigilant disease management strategies.

U.S. SPIRITS MARKET: CURRENT TRENDS AND FUTURE PROJECTIONS

The U.S. spirits market, worth $37.6 billion in 2022, witnessed growth due to trends like premixed cocktails and spirit seltzers. Boston Beer Co. responded by introducing Truly Vodka Soda. Despite decreasing table wine sales, Prosecco saw growth, driven by events like weddings and brunches. The alcohol industry also observed a rise in demand for low-calorie and craft spirits. Sustainability and sober-curious trends are expected to shape future innovation. Packaging, particularly smaller cans, is becoming significant in the U.S. wine market. E. & J. Gallo Winery's acquisition of Bev, a premium canned wine range, is a testament to this trend.

THE ANYTHING BUT VINIFERA MOVEMENT

A shift is taking place within the wine industry, termed the Anything But Vinifera movement, challenging the long-held notion that wine exclusively originates from the well-known regions of France, Spain, and Italy. The initiative, launched by New York–based wine and spirits professional Jahdé Marley, focuses on co-ferments, hybrids, and foraged ingredients to redefine the understanding of wine. Emphasizing diversity and inclusivity, the movement examines how wines are produced using local resources, such as regional fruit ferments, native grapes, and even rice. Industry professionals Kathline Chery of Vermont's Kalchē Wine Co. and Chenoa Ashton-Lewis of California's Ashanta Wines exemplify this new philosophy through their innovative wine creations. As the movement grows, it not only addresses sustainability and climate change but also aims to connect people by broadening their perception of what wine can be.

GERMANY’S NON-ALCOHOLIC WINE INDUSTRY

Researchers and producers agree: It’s early days. Markus Bonsels of Weingut Bibo Runge, also in the Rheingau, whose non-alcoholic wines quickly became an unexpected staple of his portfolio, notes that while testing which of Germany’s dealcoholizers he wanted to work with, he learned that “we’re still in the very early stages of really understanding what outstanding alcohol-free wine is. When I asked questions like, ‘What would a baseline for an alcohol-free wine look like? What would it taste like?’ I got different answers. The only commonality was that acidity needs to be lower. On other questions—’Should it be aged? Should it be young? Should it be spicy? Should it be fresh, mineral?’—there was no real answer.”

Developing an understanding of these parameters is the next step. The impetus to move forward with research and development is clear. “Someone in the industry once pointed out to me that we need to be quick and work together all over the globe in this field,” says Schmitt. “If you are the only company or country in the world producing good dealcoholized wines and all the others are doing poor stuff, everyone’s reputation suffers. If we manage to raise the quality of dealcoholized products globally, we all win.”

RECORD LOW AUSTRALIAN WINEGRAPE VINTAGE IN 2023

The 2023 Australian winegrape vintage is estimated at 1.32 million tonnes, 26% below the 10-year average and the lowest since 2000, reveals the National Vintage Report. Weather anomalies have led to challenging conditions, impacting yields, yet fostering high-quality fruit with exceptional flavor development. The resultant smaller vintage, reducing available wine by 325 million litres, could significantly impact the financial health of grape and wine businesses across Australia amidst soaring costs. However, Wine Australia Manager, Peter Bailey, highlights the potential opportunities, with demand-driven effects possibly influencing the overall vintage reduction less than seasonal conditions. Notably, a global shift towards premium wines and rising demand for white wines, paired with Wine Australia's efforts to support growers through transparency tools, may be vital to navigating this challenging yet opportunity-laden situation.

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SOUTH AFRICA’S HISTORIC LOW: 2023 HARVEST

South Africa's 2023 vintage has seen a dramatic decline with a harvest volume of 1.18 million tons, marking a 14.2% fall from 2022 and one of the smallest yields in over a decade, according to SAWIS (South African Wine Industry Information and Systems). This reduction is expected to yield about 917 million liters of wine, wine for distilled spirits and distillation, and juice and concentrate for non-alcoholic uses. Power shortages from national utility Eskom, leading to scheduled power cuts or 'load-shedding,' have notably affected irrigation scheduling and water availability, alongside weather conditions, severely impacting the crop size. Despite these challenges, South Africa, contributing about €2.7bn to the country's GDP and employing approximately 270,000 people in the wine industry, remains the world's ninth-largest wine producer.

BRAD PITT ACCUSED OF FAKING WINEMAKER ROLE IN CHÂTEAU MIRAVAL DISPUTE

Brad Pitt has been accused of "play-acting at being a winemaker" in recent court filings related to the ongoing legal struggle over Château Miraval, a French winery he once co-owned with ex-partner Angelina Jolie. The allegations, made by Jolie's former investment company, Nouvel, suggest Pitt is dealing in "illusions, not grapes" and that his actions are aimed at retaining control over Château Miraval. The court documents describe Pitt as a mere visitor to the vineyards, suggesting that the winery's success should be credited to the French workers. Additionally, the filings paint Pitt as a "petulant child," allegedly engaged in a "vindictive campaign" to control and loot the wine business previously owned by both him and Jolie.

According to the filing, Jolie attempted to sell her stake in the business to Pitt, but a last-minute demand for conditions that would limit Jolie's public discussions about their marriage breakdown led her to sell her stake to Luxembourg-based Stoli instead. The legal battle over Château Miraval has been ongoing since 2019, amidst the high-profile divorce proceedings between the former Hollywood couple.

Learn something new every week.

WINE REGION OF THE WEEK: BREEDE VALLEY, SOUTH AFRICA

The Breede River Valley in South Africa's Western Cape is responsible for a significant portion of the country's wine production. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, it spans from Breedekloof in the west to Swellendam in the east, featuring diverse terrains and soil types. The region cultivates a variety of grapes, including Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, and Shiraz. Wineries range from small, boutique operations to large co-operatives. Established in the 17th century when Cape farmland became scarce, it is now home to around 40% of South Africa's vineyards. The valley's climate is characterized by colder winters, conducive for vine dormancy, and hot, dry summers necessitating irrigation. Some popular wines from this region include Arabella Cabernet Sauvignon, Robertson Winery Natural Sweet Red, and Graham Beck Brut MCC - Methode Cap Classique.

GRAPE OF THE WEEK: PINOTAGE

Pinotage is South Africa's signature grape variety, primarily grown in the country. It produces a wide range of wines, from low-quality table wines to rich, concentrated ones with flavors of black and red fruits, spice, leather, and chocolate. Initially facing a bad reputation, Pinotage has seen a resurgence in quality thanks to dedicated South African producers. The grape is a crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsault, resulting in a unique intraspecific variety. Pinotage is known for its hardiness and high yields but requires careful vineyard management due to susceptibility to viral diseases. Well-made Pinotage wines can vary in style, from easy-drinking table wines to age-worthy, dense expressions. It is often used in blends with Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. While primarily grown in South Africa, small quantities of Pinotage can be found in other regions like New Zealand, California, Brazil, Israel, and Zimbabwe. Famous Pinotage wines include Kanonkop Estate Pinotage, Beyerskloof Pinotage, and Simonsig Pinotage.

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

🌎 The United States is the fourth-largest wine-producing country globally and is home to several renowned wine regions, including Napa Valley and Sonoma County.

🍷 Red wine is often associated with health benefits when consumed in moderation, thanks to compounds like resveratrol.

💧 The term "legs" or "tears" refers to the droplets that form on the inside of a wine glass after swirling, indicating the wine's viscosity or alcohol content.

🍾 The pressure inside a Champagne bottle can reach up to 90 pounds per square inch (psi), about three times the pressure in car tires, due to the carbon dioxide generated during the secondary fermentation.

💨 The process of "aeration" involves exposing the wine to air, either by decanting or swirling it in the glass, which can enhance the wine's flavors and aromas by allowing them to evolve and open up.

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