IN 2009 EXPORTS OF ITALIAN WINE GROWS, BUT A THIRD IS UNPACKED.

Crisis or not, exports of Italian wine abroad grows in the past year, according to data from Ismea; wine exports registered an increase of +10.2% in volume compared with a decrease of 5,4% in value on 2008. Trend driven largely by the increase in bulk wine exports (+18%) which now represent one third of total exports of Italian wine. For bottled wines, the performance is positive only in the quantities (+5%) while reducing significantly the values (-4% on 2008).
"The most important signals coming from the European market – comments Adriano Orsi, who chaired the Committee of the wine sector Fedagri-Confcooperative today in Rome – which in 2009 accounted for 56% of our exports." The first market is Germany, where there is a return to Italian wine consumption after last year, many buyers had preferred to get it from the Spanish market (in 2009 have grown in particular wines in bulk, with a +21% in volume). In second place was the United Kingdom, where the demand for sparkling wine (+18%) and bottled (+9% in volume) grows compared with a decrease of 4% of the wines in bulk.
"The fundamental leverage for our exports – continued the president of the wine sector Orsi – remains the promotion, it is essential that our businesses continue to invest in promoting their brands in order to let know abroad the outstanding quality of Italian wine. Given the fact that the market is increasingly caught between a policy of reducing prices and increasing purchasing power of big supermarket chains.
In non-EU countries, good growth in volume (+6.6%) but significant reduction in value (-10.8%). The main goal of Italian wines is the United States, despite the decline in demand in 2009 (-4% -10% in volume and in value). In the market entry of foreign wine in Italy, however, was recorded in 2009, according to data Ismea, a reduction of 25% on 2008.

The film is also about relationships as the California-based winemaker struggles with his relationship with his son who doesn’t seem to be pulling his weight. He also has the added pressure of creditors breathing down his neck.

The wine shop owner in Paris, in an attempt to revive his business, decides to hold a competition between French wines and Californian wines (known as ‘The Judgment of Paris tasting’).

Back then (in 1976), Californian wines were just finding their feet and weren’t on the map whilst French wines were a lot more established. There was no comparison. French wines were going to win hands down. You can’t run with the big boys.

Or so they thought.

The Californian wine maker won the competition!

The film, Bottle Shock, portrays the events leading up to this competition.

Unfortunately, it’s only showing in the US which is a real shame. A real shame. A lot of people would have enjoyed watching it. Maybe it’s due for wider distribution in the future or perhaps it’ll go straight to DVD in other countries, but whatever happens, I want a copy!

I do hope the script’s well written and the film’s well directed and produced. There’s no greater sin than a fascinating true story that makes a weak transition into film.

The trailer’s available on the site. I’m gonna go watch it now. Care to join me? You bring the wine, I’ll bring the popcorn!

Ciao!

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I know there’s a Chilean Sauvignon called ‘Monkey Puzzle’, but I never knew there was a Sauvignon Blanc called (wait for it) ‘Cat’s Pee on a Mulberry Bush’, or a Chardonnay called ‘Fat Bastard’!

Not exactly the kind of wine label I’d like to get my mum for her birthday as the humour would be lost on her – she’d probably think I was insulting her, then I’d have to get another bottle of wine (clean label this time) by way of apology.

I’d very gladly receive such a gift myself, even if it went as far as sporting the F word! I’d probably be more offended if the wine tasted awful.

I already know about ‘Est!, Est!, Est!’ – an unusual Italian-wine label with a rather interesting historical build-up to the name.

According to Peter’s site, there’s also an Italian wine called ‘The Full Monte-pulciano’!, and a Sicilian one called ‘Flying Pig’ (the makers believe there’s a better chance of seeing a flying pig than getting another bottle of wine like theirs at that quality).

There are other weird and wonderful labels like the French ‘Frog’s Piss’ (I kid you not) and the Spanish wine ‘Scraping the Barrel’ (very clever use of a well-known cliché) as well as one called ‘The Unpronounceable Grape’ from Hungary.

I’m all smiles! You?

Ciao!

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The first ever European Wine Bloggers Conference will take place in sunny Spain (Logrono) from August 29th-31st. The main focus of the event is to discuss the influence wine blogging has had on the wine industry and its consumers. Within that, topics covered will include discussions about wine rating, wine blog writing and monetisation.

Blogging is a force to be reckoned with. It’s a conversational way of reaching & connecting with people. Advertisers know this which is why they’re willing to pay bloggers to review their products.

My guess would be that wine blogging has had an influence on the wine industry. It’s just a matter of determining just how much of an influence it has had. Once that’s established, then the wine blogging niche will be an even greater force to be reckoned with (because the more you’re aware of your power, the more adept you become at using it).

There’ll be about 30-40 wine bloggers this time round, but who’s to say there won’t be more next year? For this year, and with it being the first one, it does seem like more than enough bloggers to be getting on with.

There’ll, of course, be a lot of wine tasting! (as well as a tour of some of the local wineries). Every blogger is encouraged to bring along wine from their region or the wine that’s focused on the most on their blog.

Some of the participants at the event will include author of the Wine Anorak blog (Jamie Goode), author of La Gramiere (Amy Lillard) and Able Grape author, Doug Cook.

For more details, visit http://ewbc2008.wineblogger.info/about/

Ciao!

(img by: Daquella Manera)

Now, I’m in no way condoning what the thieves did, but a part of me does envy them a bit. I mean, imagine all those bottles of Italian wine! Mmmmm…. the heaviness of each case when carried, each one containing exquisite bottles of Chianti Classico, Pinot Grigio or Moscato d’Asti (other makes of wines stolen included Cabernet Sauvignon, Rosso di Montalcino and Friuli-Venezia-Giulia).

Obviously, the thieves weren’t thinking about the cases from a wine-lover’s point of view – they were obviously thinking about the money they could make from them. They probably didn’t care to sample a bottle or two, take a moment to appreciate the smell and savour the taste – neither did they choose to pick up a couple of bottles and take them home to their wives or girlfriends.

The wine company that fell victim to the theft is called Liberty Wines – I see no mention of the incident on their website. My guess is perhaps they are choosing to concentrate on the positive – such as the 10 trophy awards they received for the 2008 International Wine Challenge.

While the Italian-wine industry, like most industries, has had its fair share of ups and downs (more downs, recently, what with one or two Italian wine producers coming under suspicion for their practices), if this incident is the worst that can happen (as unfortunate as it was), then I think it’s somewhat of a blessing.

I hope you started your weekend with a nice glass of your favourite wine. (and if you didn’t, well, there’s always next weekend!)

Ciao!

(img by: Joe Shlabotnik)

I’ve come across some really wonderful websites lately – from Vinopolis: City of Wine to The Wine Society – sites that I hope you’ll enjoy checking out, too (when and if you do, feedback to me, let me know what you think of them).

Another site I’d like to introduce you to (that is if you don’t know of it already ‘cos it’s brilliant!) is a cleverly-titled site called Nat Decants. It’s always encouraging and inspiring to see people doing what they love doing and you can tell that Natalie MacLean (wine lover, writer and accredited sommelier) DEFINITELY loves what she does. From her published books to her articles to her newsletters to her impressive bio, this woman drinks, breathes and sleeps wine.

Not only is she indulging in her passion with vigour, but she seems to be touching other people with it, having won several awards for her food writing. And her book – Red, White and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass – well, what a title! (don’t you think?)

We seem to have written on some of the same topics, too (from different angles) which is great! – I feel a bond! – Wine tasting parties, Cheese and Wine pairings, Gifts for Wine Lovers, and there’s one on her site about Muscat wine/grape (used in different parts of the world – Italy uses it to make a range of sparkling wines called ‘Asti’).

Did I also mention that she’s a speaker and judge, too? What an amazing individual! More power to her. May the wine gods forever smile into her glass of Chianti!

Hope you enjoy the site.

Ciao!

(img by: Cane Rosso)

Anyway, ahem, the event in question – The Wine Show – is coming up in October (23^rd-26^th, to be precise). I know we’re in June, but October really isn’t that far away especially if you live in a fast-paced environment.

It looks like it’s gonna be fab AND EVERYONE’S INVITED so I won’t have the same problem I had with the other wine event at the Excel Centre that I later discovered was only open to people in the wine-trade business. Grrrr. (again, it wasn’t really their fault, but still…)

At The Wine Show, there’ll be wine walks, tasting sessions, a wine market, and other things going on. One I’m really really looking forward to in particular is a part wine-education, part-theatre event called ‘Around the Wine World’ involving a host of wine experts. I’m curious as I’ve never seen wine & education mixed together before.

The site hasn’t published the list of exhibitors yet, but I’m sure Italian wine makers will be there (and if not, I will complain profusely. Watch me!).

Tickets
The show has a bit of an initially-confusing ticketing system (well, it was to me). Thursday is straight-forward as it’s a preview evening in which you pay £25. However, if you go on a Friday, it’s £10 for entry before 5pm and £16 thereafter. On Saturday or Sunday, it’s £10 before 2pm and £16 after 2pm. They’re currently running a special offer if you buy more than one ticket in advance (not for Thursday, though).

Ciao!

(img by: Lil Erna)

You can search for a whole range of wines on their site – Red, Rose, White and Sparkling – including Chianti, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Nero.

Of particular interest are their ‘mixed case’ package offers which include 12 bottles of different wines per case. They have 13 types of these offers. For instance, for the Italian-wine novice, they have an ‘Introduction to Italy’ offer consisting of 12 different bottles of ‘carefully chosen’ wines. And for the connoisseur, they offer a ‘Fine Wine Collection’ case – a collection of 12 top-quality wines from some of the most revered wine makers Italy has to offer.

They have other interestingly-titled packages like ‘Central Fantasy’ which is a selection of wines from the Central part of Italy (for e.g., Chianti Classico, and Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico); selected wines from North-western Italy called ‘North West Treasures’ (Barolo, Asti Spumante); and hand-picked wines for celebrations called the ‘Party Selection’ (Merlot, Trebbiano, Chardonnay).

(Some of these packages include a bottle of virgin olive oil for one of the 12 bottles. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Yes! Food! The virgin olive oil would be a wonderful encouragement to step in the kitchen and rustle up some good old home-made Italian food to go with the wine).

The Italian Wine Society also has a list of the wine producers they do business with. You can click on a specific producer’s name to find out what wines they make and make a purchase if you like.

All in all, the society has a range of prices to suit your pocket, from the affordable ‘Easy Value’ wines to the more expensive wines.

(img by: Cappellmeister)

London’s Vinopolis offers much more than wine tours – it also hosts wine tasting sessions, as well as cooking sessions using wine and produce from the nearby Borough market (considered to be the oldest market in London).

The Vinopolis wine tour is open 5 days a week and is close to other tourist attractions like Shakespeare’s Globe, the Tate Modern and Southwark Cathedral, so you could really make a day (or two!) of it.

Also, since Vinopolis doesn’t open ‘til 12noon (11am on Saturdays), maybe you could browse Borough market first, grab a breakfast in one of the cafes there.

On their website, they have a panoramic view of part of the area you’ll be touring which I think is great for giving you a taste (excuse the pun!) of what it’ll actually be like when you arrive.

They offer self-guided and guided tours which include a variety of elements depending on the tour package you choose. Some of the elements include ‘How to Taste Wine’ which is a 20-min wine-tasting session, a ‘Blind Wine Challenge’ in which you get to taste 5 different wines blindly and answer questions on them; and ‘Premium Wines’ where you get to taste a wide variety of some of the finest wines.

They have 4 tour packages ranging from £19.50 to £32.50 per person. Included in every tour are 5 wine vouchers so you can choose from over 200 wines available, the ‘How to Taste Wine’ session, a tasting notebook, and a sample of a gin-based cocktail called ‘Bombay Sapphire’.

This is the perfect outing for every wine lover – it’s great that there’s a permanent place like this in London rather than a passing event.

I think it’s time to go and count my pennies – Vinopolis, here I come!

(img by: Daquella manera)

The London International Wine Fair is considered to be ‘the single most important event in the world wine calendar’ for anyone who has anything to do with wine. It’s a chance to sample wines, network with winemakers, and generate potential sales.

There’ll apparently be over 1200 wine exhibitors from different wine-producing countries including Italian wine producers, of course; plus an expected 14,000 visitors, all under one roof!

I, myself, will be going solely for the wine tasting! Ok, on a more serious note, there are a couple of 1-hour seminars that I’d also like to go to. There’s one called Abruzzo: Wines of the Hills & Mountains that looks interesting. There’ll be other seminars on the wines of Chianti, Sicily, Lazio, Piedmont and Tuscany. I obviously can’t go to all, but would like to go to, at least, one.

I plan on lining my stomach with some good food beforehand to prepare myself for copious sips of wine (Italian or otherwise). I’m more of a sweet wine person so I plan to try out that range and maybe venture into the medium dry range if my palate can handle it.

This is a free event, by the way, which is great!

I’ve just registered! – was a really straightforward process.

So it looks like I’m going! I, unfortunately, can’t go to all 3 days. However, I’m looking forward to the day that I can make as it’ll brighten up the week ahead and if the British weather’s nice and sunny, all the better.

Will write an update on my experience of the fair.

Ciao!

(UPDATE: 24/5/08 – Unfortunately, yours truly didn’t read the fine print. It was a trade-only fair for which you needed to provide ID to prove you were in the wine trade. Hmph. Oh well, there’s bound to be another wine fair coming up – I hope – must check.)

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