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In this week’s DECORKED digest you will read all about wine communication, Brut Nature, Spanish mud rain, a guide to exporting wine, Italian bubbles, and much more. Keep reading!
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Happy Monday! We hope you have a great week. In this week’s DECORKED digest, you will read all about wine communication, Brut Nature, Spanish mud rain, a guide to exporting wine, Italian bubbles, and much more. Keep reading!
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INTERESTING THIS WEEK
🔎 White Zinfandel: despised, under-appreciated, and now in decline READ HERE
📝 The campaign to remove wine from your dinner table READ HERE
📌 A new tool helps locate England's nearest vineyards READ HERE
🗺 The future of American wine might just be in Virginia READ HERE
🏞 California wine industry is facing several challenges READ HERE
💸 Passage of title based sales – is it right for you? READ HERE
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We curate, filter, and select only the most exciting and important news for you.
FINDING BRUT NATURE CHAMPAGNE'S SWEET SPOT
Sommeliers in Japan requested Champagne Palmer to create a Brut Nature, a no-sugar-added Champagne, to complement delicate food. While Palmer’s managing director, Remi Vervier, initially hesitated due to Brut Nature's typically harsh profile, he sought to craft one with the elegance and pleasure of traditional Champagne. Palmer's "La Réserve Nature" achieves this balance, offering soft bubbles, green apple freshness, and a round finish with Sherry notes. This unique character is attributed to aging on the lees, the use of a solera of still Chardonnay for dosage, and full malolactic fermentation, resulting in a Brut Nature that retains both complexity and drinkability, even without added sugar.
A BETTER WAY TO COMMUNICATE WINE
Wine tastings are events where people gather to sample and discuss wines, but communication during these tastings varies significantly. Some producers focus on technical details like residual sugar or oak barrels, which can feel impersonal and detached. Others create a more engaging experience by encouraging conversation and sharing personal stories about the winemaking process, such as the challenges of harvesting grapes or the help of neighbors in the vineyard. These tastings transform wine from a product into a shared experience, fostering a sense of connection. First-person narratives about the journey of making wine offer a deeper and more authentic engagement than technical jargon, making the tasting more meaningful and memorable.
THE FUTURE OF ITALIAN BUBBLES
In northern Italy's Oltrepò Pavese region, known for its high-altitude vineyards and rich Pinot Noir tradition, the Ziliani family of famed sparkling wine producer Berlucchi is aiming to elevate the area’s potential for premium sparkling wines. After purchasing boutique producer Vigne Olcru and prime Pinot Noir vineyards in 2023, they plan to focus on crafting high-quality rosé sparkling wines using classic methods. While the region has struggled with identity and market potential, the Zilianis believe their expertise in high-end bottle-fermented wines can revitalize Oltrepò’s winemaking. Their long-term vision includes experimentation and dedication to ultra-premium production, drawing from the family's legacy in Franciacorta.
THE AMERICAN WINEMAKER’S GUIDE TO EXPORTING WINES
Amid declining domestic sales in the U.S. wine industry, some wineries are turning to international exports to reach new audiences and diversify sales channels. Experts such as Valerie Venezia-Ross from the New York Wine and Grape Foundation highlight that some markets abroad are more receptive to U.S. wines. Exporting offers less competition and can help build global brand awareness, as noted by Gina Bianco and Kate Salisbury. While navigating the complexities of pricing, production, and labeling for foreign markets, wineries can benefit from regional support programs and long-term commitment to establishing a presence in targeted international markets.
IS ‘MUD RAIN’ BAD NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SPAIN’S VINEYARDS?
The "calima," or Saharan dust storms, often occur in summer when warm winds blow fine sand across the Mediterranean, occasionally mixing with rain to create "mud rain." Though visually striking, this phenomenon poses no significant threat to vineyards, according to industry experts like César Saldaña and Javier Hidalgo. In fact, the phosphorus-rich dust can benefit vines by aiding photosynthesis and root development. However, drought remains a more pressing concern for regions like Jerez and Jumilla, where prolonged dry spells have severely impacted grape yields. While Saharan dust storms aren't a danger to vineyards, their increasing frequency due to climate change can affect public health.
THESE ARE THE MOST VALUABLE WINE & CHAMPAGNE BRANDS IN THE WORLD
In 2024, according to Brand Finance, LVMH owns the top four most valuable wine and Champagne brands, with Moët & Chandon leading at 1.27 billion euros. Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Dom Pérignon follow, while Changyu from China dropped to fifth after a significant decline. Sustainability is becoming a decisive factor in the wine industry, with more producers and consumers focusing on environmental practices. According to Brand Finance, sustainability now influences 11% of consumers, and companies adopting eco-friendly measures are likely to build stronger brand trust and preference in the future.
THE CONTESTED WORDS TO DESCRIBE WINE
The language used to describe wine has evolved from elitist and hierarchical terms to more inclusive and democratic descriptors, largely influenced by American wine experts. While this shift aims to make wine more accessible, it has led to overly specific and sometimes confusing terminology. Critics argue that this trend risks stripping the wine of its cultural context and making it overly clinical, potentially creating new barriers and preserving gatekeepers rather than truly democratizing the experience.
Copyright Wine Folly
WINE REGION OF THE WEEK: WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY
In Württemberg, 70% of vineyards are red varieties like Trollinger and Lemberger, producing light, fruity wines suited to the cool climate. Riesling dominates the white wine production, with Flein’s Riesling being notable. The vineyards are located along the Neckar River and its tributaries, with steep, sun-facing slopes contributing to a growing wine tourism industry. Most wine stays local due to the region’s high wine consumption and numerous family-owned vineyards, resulting in minimal national or international distribution.
Copyright Wine Searcher
GRAPE OF THE WEEK: SCHIAVA
Schiava, a grape variety grown at the crossroads of French, Italian, and Germanic Europe, is known by various synonyms such as Vernatsch, Grauvernatsch, Kleinvernatsch, and Grossvernatsch, and is sometimes called Trollinger in Germany, where it’s blended with Blaufränkisch. The name "Schiava" is derived from "Slavic," suggesting its origins. Most notably, Schiava is used in the Santa Maddalena DOC to produce light-bodied red wines with fresh acidity.
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