The forthcoming BBW, which will take place from 6th to 8th February 2023 at Fira de Barcelona’s Montjuic venue, will be attended by around 700 exhibiting companies, 15% more than in 2022, increasing the event’s surface area by 5%. Four months before it’s due to be held, 80% of BWW has been booked, with the participation, among others, of firms such as Protos, Matarromera, Rioja Vega, Recaredo and Freixenet and Designations of Origin (DOs) like Cava, Bierzo and Valderroas.
With more than 60 DOs on display, the fair will promote the plurality and territorial diversity of wine in Spain more than ever before. Under the slogan Spain, a unique mosaic of soils, BWW 2023 will offer a programme of talks, tastings and food and wine pairings conducted by around a hundred renowned experts, who’ll highlight the great wealth of soils that make up the Spanish winegrowing territory. This geological diversity and the climate make Spain one of the countries with the greatest potential for wine production. We should highlight the tasting that will bring together four Masters of Wine turned winemakers from different areas of Spain for the first time. These include Norrel Robertson, who’s been producing wines in Calatayud since 2003, Almudena Alberca, the first female Master of Wine in Spain and now a producer in La Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Valdeorras, and Fernando Mora, who owns vineyards in different parts of Aragón. Multi-award-winning sommeliers who have become winemakers will also take part in a joint tasting. In order to promote the international projection of Spanish wine, the fair intends to invite more than 500 key international buyers with the strategic involvement of ICEX Exportación e Inversiones. These purchasing decision-makers will come from the main importers of Spanish wine, including the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Colombia, Mexico, China, Hong Kong and Poland. Spain is the world’s leading wine producer and the third largest exporter, according to the data provided by ICEX. In 2021, it exceeded €2,956 million in wine exports and was very close to its record. €3,006 million, reached in 2018. Another of the major challenges for the sector is increasing domestic demand, which is why BWW 2023 will invite 1,300 key buyers from the domestic market (large-scale retail, wholesalers, specialised distributors, retailers and gourmet stores). A total of more than 8,000 business meetings between the fair’s exhibitors and professional buyers are expected to take place. The most recent BWW in April 2022 brought together more than 650 exhibiting companies, 60 Spanish Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs) and over 18,000 professional visitors. These included 470 major international buyers from strategic markets, who participated in more than 6,600 business meetings with the exhibiting companies. (excerpt from a release)
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Australian wine exports declined by 1 per cent in volume to 627 million litres and 11 per cent in value to $2.01 billion in the year ended 30 September 2022, according to Wine Australia’s latest Export Report released today. While the decline is reflective of the tough market conditions over the past two years – including high deposit tariffs on bottled Australian wine imported to mainland China, the impact of the global freight challenges, and the aftermath of changing consumer habits during the COVID-19 pandemic – the figures also reflect that value is starting to stabilise. Wine Australia Manager, Market Insights Peter Bailey said that the results were mixed in the year ended 30 September 2022, with the increases recorded in some markets offset by declines in others. “As a moving annual total result, the Export Report can demonstrate the performance of Australia’s exports and highlight some growing trends. In this report, we’re seeing the tail end of the decline in exports to mainland China having an impact on the total export figures; this is expected to wash out of the figures by the end of 2022,” Mr Bailey said. When mainland China is excluded from the data, wine exports to the rest of the world held steady in value, declining by 0.2 per cent to $1.99 billion and increasing by 1 per cent in volume to 622 million litres. There was a decline in exports to the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Singapore, which is a result of the return to anticipated shipment levels. This decline to the UK has been delayed compared to other markets with similar COVID-19 consumption patterns, such as the United States and Canada. Exports to the North America and Southeast Asia regions are showing growth. In particular, strong growth was recorded in exports to the US, Canada, Malaysia and Thailand. Pleasingly, the growth trend in the US and Canada was driven by both ends of the price spectrum; premium wine exports continued to grow and unpackaged commercial exports increased, as shipments of the record 2021 vintage accelerated following a slower than usual start due to global shipping pressures. Furthermore, the number of exporters to the US is at the highest level since 2008 and of the exporters to the US that ship wine at a value of $10 or more per litre free on board (FOB), 75 per cent experienced growth demonstrating that green shoots continue in the market for premium Australian wine. However, while total exports look to be stabilising, the wine sector can continue to expect market fluctuations, as rising inflation and interest rates may put pressure on margins and curtail consumer spending in key markets. On a positive note, over the past few months, the Australian Dollar has depreciated against the US Dollar, which assists Australian wineries to be more competitive in the US. Australian wine exporters shipped to 118 destinations during the period, up from 111 the previous year. The strongest growth came from North America, up 6 per cent to $604 million, and Southeast Asia (up 15 per cent to $291 million). However, the large decline to Northeast Asia (down 46 per cent to $321 million, driven by mainland China) and to Europe (down 12 per cent to $621 million, driven by the UK’s return to more normal shipping levels) outweighed the growth to other regions.
The top five markets by value were:
Exports to the US increased by 5 per cent in value to $412 million and 14 per cent in volume to 139 million litres. There are several drivers of the growth. One of which is that the volume of unpackaged wine shipped to the US increased by 53 per cent to 68 million litres during the period. The substantial size of this increase is because the Australian 2021 vintage was the largest on record and the shipments of this vintage had been delayed due to the ongoing global freight challenges. In the past few months, shipments of this vintage have intensified. Secondly, packaged wine declined by 1 per cent in value to $319 million and 9 per cent in volume to 71 million litres. As volume declined more than value, the average value of packaged wine increased by 9 per cent $4.47 per litre FOB. Driving this increase in average value is the decline of packaged commercial wines (mainly the $2.50 to $4.99 price segment) and an increase in exports above $7.50 per litre FOB, up 32 per cent to $71 million. Wine exports to Canada increased by 10 per cent in value to $190 million and 26 per cent in volume 62 million litres. The largest driver of the increase in volume was growth in unpackaged wine shipments. The volume of unpackaged shipments increased by 44 per cent to 36 million litres. The increase in total value of exports to Canada was driven by packaged shipments, especially at the premium end. The value of packaged shipments increased by 11 per cent to $156 million while volume increased by 7 per cent to 26 million litres. Shipments valued at $5 per litre FOB and above grew by 18 per cent in value to $122 million, the highest value for this price segment since 2009. United Kingdom Exports to the UK decreased by 14 per cent in value to $395 million and 12 per cent in volume to 222 million litres. This decline in wine exports to the UK was expected, if somewhat delayed. There were two factors elevating exports to the UK since 2020. Firstly, the Brexit transition period saw an increase in exports ahead of the 31 December 2020 deadline. Secondly, Australian wine holds the number one position in the off-trade – a category that benefitted greatly from the closure of the on-trade during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now, as the on-trade has opened back up, there is a counter-swing in the demand for Australian wine. While this counter-swing occurred much earlier in the US and Canada, another two markets where Australia has a larger share of the off-trade than on-trade, the shift has been much slower in the UK and exports are only now starting to be affected. Asia Exports to Northeast Asia declined by 46 per cent in value $321 million and by 31 per cent in volume to 35 million litres. The main contributor to this decline was exports to mainland China (down 92 per cent to $21 million) and exports to Hong Kong (down 21 per cent to $163 million). Exports to Hong Kong are returning to a more normal level after an increase in shipments to the market in 2021. Offsetting some of the declines were exports to Japan and Taiwan, which rose by 18 per cent and 13 per cent respectively. Exports to South Korea dropped by 5 per cent in value to $43 million; the decline took place in exports valued below $7.50 per litre FOB (down 44 per cent), while exports above $7.50 per litre increased by 30 per cent. Exports to Southeast Asia increased by 15 per cent in value to $291 million and 39 per cent in volume to 24 million litres. Several markets increased in value, including Thailand (up 95 per cent to $53 million) and Malaysia (up 55 per cent to $59 million). This growth was slightly offset by a decline in exports to Singapore, dropping 16 per cent to $132 million; shipments to Singapore are also normalising after an elevated level of shipments in 2021 and 2022. (Excerpt from a release) Gordon & MacPhail is unveiling a collection of exceptionally rare whiskies from closed distilleries across Scotland – a new annual series of single cask releases from its revered liquid library. The ‘Recollection Series’ features a trove of whiskies from distilleries lost to the mists of time, giving enthusiasts and collectors a unique opportunity to enjoy forgotten masterpieces. From the Private Collection range, personally selected by members of Gordon & MacPhail’s owning family, come a 1982 from St. Magdalene Distillery (Linlithgow), a 1982 from Glen Mhor Distillery (Inverness), and a 1981 from Lochside Distillery (Montrose). All whiskies are bottled at cask strength and non chill filtered. The whiskies, each matured in Gordon & MacPhail’s own casks, exemplify Gordon & MacPhail’s patient approach to maturation, guided by the principle that ensuring quality is always the key motivating factor. The releases from St Magdalene, Glen Mhor and Lochside distilleries are available worldwide, with other releases in the series available in select international markets. Stuart Urquhart, Operations Director at Gordon & MacPhail said: “We’re excited to release a series that revives and celebrates the spirit and character of these closed distilleries from across Scotland. Each remarkable expression is vanishingly rare and captures an unrepeatable moment in Scotland’s rich liquid heritage. Having carefully assessed the progress of each spirit down the decades, we feel now is finally the right moment to reveal these landmark single malts. We hope the annual series will excite single malt enthusiasts keen to try something different, and irreplaceable.” Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection 1982 from St Magdalene Distillery [RSP £2249.99/ $3499 USD]* The 39-year-old whisky has been matured in casks #2094 – a refill American hogshead – and will be available worldwide.
Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection 1982 from Glen Mhor Distillery [RSP £2249.99/ $3499 USD]* The 40-year-old Glen Mhor whisky has been matured in a refill Sherry hogshead and will be available worldwide.
Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection 1981 from Lochside Distillery [RSP £3199.99/ $4999 USD]* The 40-year-old whisky has been matured in a refill Sherry hogshead and will be available across worldwide markets.
*Prices in international markets may vary due to local taxes and import duties. (Excerpt from a release) Grey Goose’s “House of Change” is a specially curated multi-faceted series that focuses on providing expertise to bartenders to help them go beyond their bartending skill sets. The program aims to set them on a journey to discover a clear, defined, and purposeful career in mixology. In its effort to give back to the community that has been supporting the brand for so long, Grey Goose is all set to revisit another series of scouting and celebrating India’s behind-the-bar talents. With its fourth edition on the horizon, the ever-evolving “House Of Change” program by Grey Goose will collaborate with the Singapore Tourism Board to create an experience that brings the program to a higher level.
Adtnu Tiwari, Senior Brand Manager, Premium White Spirits, Bacardi India Private Ltd., says, “Grey Goose’s “House Of Change” initiative has come a long way. From a nascent stage to now entering its fourth edition, the program focuses on providing value to the mixology community by strengthening their foundational skills. We aim to propel, encourage, and inspire the creative geniuses behind the bar by setting forth an engaging series of experiences and providing a platform for emerging mixologists. With The Singapore Tourism Board coming on board as a collaborator, the experience will surely be elevated.” Singapore, known for its lifestyle, events and entertainment scene, was a natural choice for this partnership as it is a treasure trove of vibrant bar and cocktail cultures. The city boasts of some of the top tier bars that have been on the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars. The partnership with Singapore Tourism Board will scale up this year’s edition, making it bigger than before. With some of the best bars in India enrolling for the program, Grey Goose will appoint mentors across the bar industry that specialize in the trade of Entrepreneurship, Content Creation, Grooming and Styling, Travel and Luxury. These mentors will impart a few tricks of the trade and conduct masterclasses and training sessions. The second phase of the program will evaluate the candidates through observation of skill sets acquired during the masterclasses. Finally, a selection of 8 bartenders will be rewarded with a trip to Singapore to further ignite their passions and be inspired by their counterparts and mentors from Singapore. (Excerpt from a release) The highly anticipated World’s Best Vineyards list is back this October, showcasing the very best of wine tourism across the globe. Now an annual event, this year’s list is to be revealed at a special live event hosted by Mendoza, Argentina on 26th October and viewers from around the world can tune in to view the countdown on YouTube.
The live event will take place at Zuccardi Valle De Uco in Mendoza, the number one vineyard on the list for the past three years (2019 - 2021) and the first vineyard to enter the new ‘Best of the Best’ Hall of Fame. The new ‘Best of the Best’ category will be formed of vineyards that top the annual vote of the World’s 50 Best Vineyards three years in a row and are therefore no longer eligible to be voted on new editions of the list. With the launch of this new category, the World’s Best Vineyards 2022 list will see a new vineyard crowned number one, and will also shine a spotlight on a new highest placed Mendoza vineyard. This year’s host, Mendoza, had five wineries in last year’s top 50 and is renowned as the main wine producing region in Argentina with more than 150,000 hectares of vineyards and over 800 wineries across the region. As well as this, Mendoza is home to beautiful natural scenery, including rivers and valleys where tourists can enjoy a range of outdoor activities such as horse riding, rafting, sunset mountain biking and zip-lining. The World’s Best Vineyards annual list highlights the top vineyards to visit globally and aims to promote wine tourism around the world. Each year the list showcases unique vineyards with unrivalled visitor experiences, from modern architectural wonders, UNESCO-protected ancient cellars, and Michelin-starred restaurants to family-run wineries with intimate tours. The Voting Academy consists of over 500 leading wine experts, sommeliers and travel experts and they submit their nominations based on the different criteria that make the best destination vineyard, including quality of the overall experience, ambiance, cuisine, activities, views, staff, and value for money. The results are then collated and converted into the World’s Best Vineyards list. Andrew Reed, Managing Director Wine and Exhibitions at William Reed, comments: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Mendoza in Argentina for this year’s World’s Best Vineyards list reveal. With five vineyards from the region placing in the top 50 in 2021 it was an obvious choice. Mendoza is a beautiful wine region in the foothills of the Andes surrounded by lakes and full of vineyards - making it the perfect wine tourism destination”. Dr Nora Vicario, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Province of Mendoza, says: "In Mendoza you can breathe in wine and a culture unlike anywhere else in the world. It is one of the great wine capitals and the combination of mountains, wine and ever-increasing diversity and innovation makes it a perfect travel destination. We are excited to present Mendoza to the world by hosting this year’s World’s Best Vineyards.” (Excerpt from a release) · Offers choice of over 10,000 premium restaurants across India and Dubai · 40% discount on specific credit cards at hand-picked premium restaurants in India and Dubai · Customised birthday celebration offers for premium cardholders Axis Bank, India’s third-largest private sector bank, in partnership with EazyDiner, India’s leading table reservation, food discovery and restaurant payment platform, has announced the launch of Dining Delights, a unique and enriching dining experience for the Bank’s customers. The program will offer a host of benefits such as the option to choose from over 10,000 premium restaurants across India and Dubai, instant confirmation on table reservations, and exclusive offers on dining reservations made through the EazyDiner app.
As per EazyDiner real time data analytics, there has been a surge of ~132% in the number of customers who prefer to discover and dine-out at premium restaurants, as compared to pre-Covid times. This significant recovery is led by Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Bengaluru followed by Goa, which is now emerging as a stronger destination since the last two years. Additionally, customers are eating out 3.2 times a month as opposed to 2.1 times a month, pre-Covid, with significant momentum picking up across the country. This new initiative by Axis Bank and EazyDiner is aligned to serve an increasing number of customers who want choice, variety and convenience while dining out, all at one go. In addition to the exquisite dining experience, Dining Delights will soon offer ‘Celebrations with Axis Bank and EazyDiner’ an exclusive birthday celebration experience for premium cardholders, who can enjoy personalised dining recommendations for their birthday by the culinary concierge at EazyDiner and also avail 50% off on their meal. All arrangements and bookings will be done by the personal culinary concierge. To make it a grander celebration, Axis Bank will offer a complimentary birthday cake or signature dessert. Axis Bank Dining Delights - Click here and enter an exclusive world of dining privileges. (Excerpt from a release) Jacob's Creek Introduces UNVINED, Pernod Ricard India Forays into the Non-Alcoholic Wine Category6/1/2022 ![]() New Delhi, India Today, leading Australian wine brand, Jacob’s Creek announced the launch of Unvined, a non-alcoholic wine with less than 0.5% alcohol, available in two varietals - Riesling and Shiraz. Unvined, a modern expression of winemaking, is the perfect answer to occasions when one wants to enjoy a glass of wine without the alcohol content yet retaining the true character of the original styles and flavors. The winemakers at Jacob’s Creek use sophisticated technology which removes alcohol whilst capturing most of the original aromas and flavours of the wine. The Unvined range has 50% less calories than regular wine of the same varietal, catering to the evolved consumer base looking for varied options to suit their preferences and mood. With the introduction of these two new varietals under non-alcoholic wine category, Jacob’s Creek truly delivers on a coveted portfolio of wines that everyone around the table will want to reach for. Kartik Mohindra, Chief Marketing Officer, Pernod Ricard India, said: “Non-alcoholic wine may sound counterintuitive and something out of the ordinary, however sometimes it’s exactly what the evening calls for. The idea behind creation of Unvined was to ensure that everyone is able to celebrate important life moments with their friends and family in a way that fits with their lifestyle. Given Jacob’s Creek’s vast expertise in winemaking, we have created a product that has a perfect balance of taste while preserving the natural grape profile. We are proud to release Unvined in India. It is an exceptional product with less than 0.5% alcohol and a faithful expression of premium wines from Australia”.
Unvined Riesling offers attractive citrus, lime and floral notes that are typical of Australian Riesling. The light bodied palate of the non-alcoholic wine with refreshing fruit notes is balanced by a crisp acidity on the finish. While Unvined Shiraz has appealing plum, blackberry and spice notes distinctive to a South Australian Shiraz. Its medium bodied palate delivers sweet fruit and light toasty oak flavour supported by soft ripe tannins. Unvined can be readily enjoyed with a wide selection of foods. For the Riesling white meat, seafood dishes and salads make for a perfect companion. For the Shiraz, lighter style curries go perfectly well. Unvined Riesling and Shiraz are available in select retail outlets in Delhi and Mumbai and pan-India through Amazon India at INR 900/-. (Excerpt from a release) The International Wine Challenge, the world’s most influential, impartial and rigorously judged wine competition, has announced the results of its 2022 competition and India also had its first taste of Gold Medal success, with a sparkling rosé wine Sula Brut Tropicale Cremant De Nashik NV produced by Sula Vineyards. The highest medal previously won by India was a silver in 2015.
Thousands of wines from over 50 countries entered the competition which was judged by an international panel of wine experts in a series of rigorous blind tastings held in London last month and France continued its winning streak as the most awarded country in each medal category, with 75 Gold, 367 Silver and 442 Bronze medals. The Champagne region alone picked up 30 Golds, with Rare Champagne claiming the prestigious Champagne Trophy for its Rare Millésime 2008. Rhône producer Maison Delas Frères succeeded in reclaiming the International Syrah Trophy from New Zealand for the first time in almost a decade for its Les Bessards 2019 and France also retained the International Pinot Noir Trophy for a seventh year in a row. The winning wine, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Cuvée Cyrot Chaudron Hospices de Beaune 2020, from Burgundy producer, Maison Albert Bichot, was also crowned with this trophy last year for its 2019 vintage. After being pipped to the post for two years running, New Zealand reclaimed the International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy this year, with Yealands Estate Single Block S1 Sauvignon Blanc 2021.New Zealand was also recognised for its world-class Chardonnay, being awarded the International Chardonnay Trophy for the very first time, a category that has traditionally been dominated by French wines. The top performing wine was the Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2020 from Hawke's Bay producer Trinity Hill Wines. Australia was awarded an impressive 54 Gold Medals in this year’s competition, coming second only to France. South Australian producer, Pinnacle Drinks won the International Grenache Trophy for its The Ethereal One Fleurieu Grenache 2020 - the first time in IWC history that an Australian wine has won this accolade.The Australian White Trophy also went to a Tasmanian producer, with Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay 2020 also claiming both the Australian and Tasmanian Chardonnay Trophies. Oz Clarke, Co-Chair of the International Wine Challenge commented, ‘It is always fantastic to see award-winners from countries with little to no previous experience of success in the Challenge. As well as the notable Gold Medal for India, we also saw medal winners from Kazakhstan, Wales, Sweden and Switzerland, countries that consumers might not necessarily associate with winemaking. An International Wine Challenge sticker serves as a mark of quality, and gives consumers the confidence to try wines from different countries and in different styles.’ The World’s 50 Best Bars today announces the launch of its inaugural 50 Best Bars Scholarship, in partnership with The Blend – the global trade advocacy programme for the hospitality industry by Beam Suntory. This marks the first time in 50 Best’s storied history that the organization will offer a scholarship to an aspiring bartender.
The 50 Best Bars The Blend Scholarship is open to any bartender from anywhere in the world aged 21 or over with fewer than three years’ experience. The winner will be rewarded with a trip to complete two bar stages (internships) in London and New York. The first will take place at Connaught Bar, the two-time winner of The World’s Best Bar title, in 2020 and 2021. The second will be at Katana Kitten, a previous winner of the Best New Opening Award in 2019 and currently ranked No.10 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2021 list. The winner will then be hosted by The Blend Global Team for an experience of a lifetime in Madrid. Flights between these destinations will be included and the lucky winner will receive £500 per week living expenses to enjoy the host cities. The details Applications will open on 19th May via The World’s 50 Best Bars website and close on 20th June. Applicants can find further information to help with their entry at www.theblend.world. The winner of the scholarship will be announced at the ceremony for The World’s 50 Best Bars later this year. The launch of the 50 Best Bars The Blend Scholarship represents a key moment in the brands’ drive to prioritise development opportunities and experiences for aspiring bartenders across the globe. The theme of the Scholarship for 2022 is Future Positive, which comes with the ambition to cultivate practices and attitudes that will have a positive impact for the planet, for guests and the hospitality community. It will reward bartenders who take a low-waste or local approach to ingredients and push for greater diversity, better representation and balance within workplaces. Applicants will need to show a readiness to contribute to this outlook in order to be selected by the illustrious judging panel as the inaugural 50 Best Scholar (see The Selection Process below). The team says Mark Sansom, Director of Content for The World’s 50 Best Bars, says: “We could not be more excited to launch the 50 Best Bars Scholarship, in partnership with The Blend by Beam Suntory. It’s an initiative we have been planning for several years and it is truly excellent to be able to work with a brand such as Beam Suntory, which shares our vision to professionalise the craft of bartending and support bartenders with a future-gazing ideology. We look forward to receiving applications from all over the world as we give this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to someone that will undoubtedly set their career into overdrive.” Agostino Perrone, Director of Mixology at Connaught Bar, says: "We at Connaught Bar are very excited to host the first-ever winner of the 50 Best Bars The Blend Scholarship for a learning experience with us. I look forward to assessing the applications and giving the opportunity to the deserving winner to take part in this amazing experience." Further details, including the date and location of the awards ceremony for The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022, where the Scholarship winner will be announced, will be unveiled on 25th May. Applications to 50 Best Bars The Blend Scholarship officially open on 19th May at 09:00 GMT+1. Enter at: Worlds50BestBars.com/scholarship The selection process The 50 Best Scholar will be selected after a three-stage judging process, which will feature leading lights of the bar industry · Round One: Applicants will be asked to share their vision of Future Positive and what it tangibly means to them as a bartender as part of a video application and questionnaire format. A total of 25 applicants will be selected to go through to Round Two. · Round Two: The shortlisted candidates will be asked to design a drink inspired by the theme and that heroes one local ingredient as well as documenting the research, development and process that goes into making their chosen cocktail. For this second stage, 50 Best has recruited previous winners of its Sustainable Bar Award and other stalwarts of the bar industry. The guest judges include: Vijay Mudaliar (Native and Analogue, Singapore), Ashish Sharma (The Surf Club, Miami), Jean Trinh (Alquímico, Cartagena), Kelsey Ramage (The Trash Collective, USA), Claire Sprouse (Hunky Dory, Brooklyn) and Luke Whearty (Byrdi, Melbourne), to help select the top five applicants who will make it to the final round. · Round Three: For the five finalists, the third stage will comprise a rigorous interview process with 50 Best; The Blend by Beam Suntory; a representative from B-Corp; Director of Mixology for Connaught Bar, Agostino Perrone and Masahiro Urushido, Managing Partner of Katana Kitten. The three finalists will be hosted at The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022 awards ceremony, where the winner will be announced. The internships will take place in (excerpt from a release) One of India's top annual bartender extravaganza, Diageo's World Cocktail competition has announced 13 finalists for the 2022 edition.
Here is where you can connect with these bartenders on Instagram or find them behind the bar in action at their place of work. Aashie Bhatnagar / @tiny_drinks / The Ritz Carlton Pune Arati Mestry/ @the_negroni_moron / 7 Rivers Brew Co, Bengaluru Kshitij Goel / @thecocktailtimes / The W; Goa Kumar Mongalam / @kumar_mongalam / Farzi Cafe; Kolkata Md Shabaz/ @md._.shabaz / The Saz; Kolkata Navjyot Singh/@the_baldbartender / Lair; New Delhi Prakhar Singhal/ @prakhar.singhal96 / Prost; Hyderabad Pratik Gusain/ @pgmixologist / Elgin Cafe, Rohil Kalita/ @rohil_kalita / Hotel Four seasons, Bengaluru Sahil Essani/ @sahil.essani / Tajmahal Hotel; New Delhi Saurav Samanta / @cocktail_junction / Opa Kipos, Mumbai Shobith Salian /@mr_liquidchef / Mato Mato, Thane Sia Negi / @sianegi_ / The Leela Palace, New Delhi. Australian wine exports decreased by 26 per cent in value to $2.05 billion and 13 per cent in volume to 628 million litres in the year ended March 2022, according to Wine Australia’s latest Export Report released today.
The year-on-year figures continue to reflect the impact of the imposition of high deposit tariffs on bottled Australian wine imported to mainland China in November 2020 and of the exceptionally tough market conditions globally. Exports excluding mainland China declined by 3 per cent in volume but increased by 7 per cent in value to $2.03 billion – the highest value since 2010. Key drivers of the value growth were in markets including Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan indicating that market intensification and diversification is having an impact. In the 12 months ended March 2022, Australian exporters shipped wine to 112 markets and 71 experienced value growth. Wine Australia General Manager Corporate Affairs and Regulation Rachel Triggs said while the increase in value excluding mainland China was strong at $129 million, it did not come close to offsetting the decline in value to mainland China (a loss of $844 million). “Over the past 15 months, Australian wine exporters have had to navigate through an exceptionally challenging operating environment, largely led by the imposition of high deposit tariffs on bottled Australian wine imported to mainland China, the continuing impact of the global freight crisis, and a counter-swing in some markets after COVID-19 related stockpiling in 2020." Ms Triggs said. The decline in total wine export volume, excluding mainland China, was most significant to Australia’s two biggest markets of the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (US). Exports to these markets surged during 2020 due to COVID-19 stockpiling for the off-premise trade, but demand has since eased as pandemic restrictions relaxed. “Low inventory after three small consecutive vintages and delays in getting the record 2021 vintage onto ships from the ongoing global freight crisis also contributed to the decline in volume of wine exports. Shipping industry experts to do not expect these issues to resolve until the second half of 2022 at the earliest,” Ms Triggs said. In the 12 months to the end of March 2022, the top five markets by value were:
The UK is the number one destination for Australian wine exports in value and volume. In the 12 months ended March 2022, exports to the UK decreased by 2 per cent in value to $449 million and 6 per cent in volume to 246 million litres (27 million 9-litre case equivalents). A decline of 9 per cent in export value below $5 per litre FOB, to $357 million, outweighed growth within the above $5 FOB per litre segment of 36 per cent to $92 million. The strongest rates of growth came at $10 to $19.99 FOB per litre, up 51 per cent to $21 million. It is the highest value in this segment in this 12-month period since 2009 and the number of exporters in this price point increased from 236 in 2021 to 248 in 2022. Excluding the UK, exports to Europe declined by 6 per cent in value to $233 million and 7 per cent in volume to 104 million litres. European markets to record value growth included Denmark, up 13 per cent to $40 million, Norway, up 2 per cent to $8 million, and Poland, up 71 per cent to $7 million. North America The US is the second ranked destination for Australian wine exports by value and volume. In the 12 months ended March 2022, exports to the US declined 4 per cent in value to $416 million and 5 per cent in volume to 127 million litres (14 million 9-litre case equivalents). About three-quarters of the value shipped to the US was at below $5 FOB per litre, which declined by 10 per cent to $325 million. There was growth in the price points at $5 FOB or more per litre with a strong increase recorded at $10 FOB or more per litre, up 37 per cent to $53 million – the highest value in this price point in a March Export Report since 2009. There were 27 additional exporters in this price segment compared to the previous year, taking the number to 233, and there are more than 100 additional exporters to the US in this price point compared to a decade ago. Canada is the third biggest destination for Australian wine by volume and fourth by value. In the 12 months ended March 2022, Australian wine exports to Canada decreased by 13 per cent in value to $171 million and 7 per cent in volume to 51 million litres (5.6 million 9-litre case equivalents). A decline in exports below $10 FOB per litre more than offset growth at $10 FOB or more per litre. Exports at $10 FOB or more per litre increased by 8 per cent to $26 million, the highest for this time period since 2011. Asia The most significant growth in overall exports in the 12 months ended March 2022 came from Australian wine exports to Southeast Asia, which grew 63 per cent to $281 million. Exports to Northeast Asia declined 70 per cent to $337 million, driven largely by the decline to mainland China. Hong Kong is the largest destination in the region by value, and exports increased by 24 per cent to $184 million. Australian wine exports to Singapore almost doubled in value to $168 million. The value of exports to Japan rebounded strongly in the 12 months to March 2022, up 15 per cent to $51 million with strong growth at $2.50 to $4.99 FOB per litre and at $10 FOB or more per litre. Exports to South Korea and Taiwan increased by similar rates (almost 30 per cent to $45 million and $28 million respectively) with the $10 FOB or more per litre price segment driving growth to each destination. The price segment accounts almost half the value of exports to South Korea and almost 60 per cent to Taiwan. Other strong performances were to India, up 134 per cent to $15 million, Thailand, up 85 per cent to a record $38 million, Philippines, up 74 per cent to $12 million, and Vietnam, up 82 per cent to $7 million. (Excerpt from a release) Salud Beverages made its mark on the world's stage with all 3 of its entries into the prestigious London Spirits Competition coming away with medals. Salud G&T 2.0 Lavender won Gold, while Salud G&T 2.0 Cucumber and Salud Sonic walked away with Silver.
"This is a real honour, and validates our belief that we have had from the start that our offerings are world-class", said Founder Ajay Shetty. What makes the London Spirits Competition stand apart from other competitions is it awards spirits for their overall appeal to the drinking audience. Where other competitions focused solely on technical competence and distilling prowess, the London Spirits Competitions goes further to evaluate a spirit for its all-around excellence – in the way it tastes, looks and the value it provides. "The crafting and refining of each Salud gin refresher was done keeping an eclectic modern global palate in mind, while being an ode to the new Indian consumer whose tastes increasingly align with their world counterparts. These awards are a reaffirmation of our efforts to create spirits that uncomplicate the drinking experience and have universal appeal." Adds Master Blender, Sid Kumar. (Excerpt from a release) Salud Beverages has launched a new range of essential bitters to elevate your drink, food and social experiences. Salud has been stirring up the ready-to-drink segment in India by uncomplicating the drinking experience with its Gin Refreshers, and with its latest offering of three new non-alcoholic bitters, the brand is set to shake things up again.
Salud Bitters are made of completely natural ingredients with no artificial flavouring. Bitters are an aromatic, concentrated infusion of botanicals, herbs, fruits, spices, and roots that has become a staple in bars and kitchens across the world for their unique properties and complexity. Some of the world’s most famous and best loved drinks would be incomplete without the layers of flavour and balance achieved only with the use of quality bitters. Salud's bitters add a new dimension to more than just drinks. Salud’s selection of bitters are available in three flavours Tropical Dew Mangoes and Grapefruit from the tropics combine with Mediterranean Rosemary to create a vibrant fruit and herb infusion Summer Dust The coolness of pear with the tartness of pineapple creates a burst of summery flavour that lingers on the palate. Citrus Twist Orange, tangerine and lemon pack a citrus punch for a bright pop of flavour that's fresh and full of character. Besides its ready-to-drink Gin Refreshers and non-alcoholic Bitters, Salud has also been busy exploring essentials to help you unwind with Salud Sessions, a brand supported collection of chill deep house music produced by the best DJs and artists in the industry and Salud Merchandise, an exclusive line of clothing and accessories developed in appreciation for clean and contemporary wardrobe basics. Price: INR 499 Availability: 15th April onwards in select outlets and online stores. (Excerpt from a release) Wine Australia has welcomed the announcement that the Australian and Indian Governments have signed the Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI ECTA).
When the AI ECTA enters into force, preferential tariff treatment will be afforded to premium Australian wine imported to India, making Australia the first major wine producing country to negotiate such arrangements. Wine Australia General Manager Corporate Affairs and Regulation Rachel Triggs said, “There is potential for growth in the sale and consumption of Australian wine in India with Australia already having the greatest share of the imported wine market. In particular, the AI ECTA will make India a more viable proposition for small to medium winemakers who have not previously contemplated entering into that market. “The wine culture in India is maturing as consumers discover and learn more about wine. It’s exciting to contemplate Australian winemakers playing a role in that maturation, and the AI ECTA will make it easier for them to do so,” Ms Triggs said. Through the AI ECTA, India has also agreed to extend any preferential arrangements for wine afforded to other trading partners in future to Australian wine. “The strengthening of the relationship between India and Australia through the AI ECTA creates an excellent platform upon which we can pursue a meaningful dialogue with India about regulatory and technical matters relating to the trade in wine. In the 12 months to the end of December 2021, Australian wine exports to India increased by 81 per cent in value to $12 million – a record value of Australian wine exports to India. Volume also increased by 71 per cent to 2.5 million litres, and 74 per cent of this volume of wine was red wine. The common customs tariff on wine imported to India is 150 per cent, making it a challenging market for imported wine. In accordance with the AI ECTA, tariffs on Australian wine with a cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value of over US$5 per 750ml bottle will decrease to 100 per cent upon entry into force, with a further phased reduction of 5 per cent per year for 10 years down to 50 per cent. Tariffs on Australian wine with a CIF value of over US$15 per 750ml bottle will decrease to 75 per cent upon entry into force, with a further phased reduction of 5 per cent per year for 10 years down to 25 per cent. Wine in India – fast facts
Tulleeho and Man’s World Magazine revealed the much-awaited ranking of the top Indian bars for 2021, at a well-attended awards show in Gurgaon’s Le Méridien on 23rd March, 2022. 30 Best Bars India is the country’s first and only independent nationwide annual ranking of bars, and a platform that celebrates the best of Indian bar talent. Goa’s Bar Tesouro emerged as India’s best bar, Sidecar (New Delhi), Copitas - Four Seasons Hotel (Bangalore), The Bombay Canteen (Mumbai), Lair (New Delhi), Hoots’ - Vasant Vihar (New Delhi), Comorin (Gurgaon), PCO (New Delhi), AER - Four Seasons Hotel (Mumbai), Raahi – Neo Kitchen & Bar (Bangalore) make up the list of the top 10 bars of 2021. Delhi, Mumbai & Bangalore topped the list this year with six bars each in the Top 30 list, followed by Goa with five bars; Kolkata with four bars; Gurgaon with three bars while Pune & Hyderabad had one bar each. The rankings and awards were based on a nationwide polling involving more than 200 jury members consisting of bar enthusiasts, beverage industry professionals, and liquor connoisseurs. The three-month polling exercise started with a long list of more than 500 bars spread across 15 cities. The ranking of the Best Bar Team and the Best Bartenders was based on a poll of a technical jury of 20 industry veterans. Bar Tesouro from Goa won the Best Independent Bar Award, Copitas at the Four Seasons Hotel (Bangalore) won the Best Hotel Bar Award, Byg Brewski Brewing Company (Hennur, Bangalore) won the Best Microbrewery or Taproom Award and Bar Tesouro (Goa) won the Best Bar Design Award. Navjot Singh from Lair (New Delhi) was honoured with the Best Bartender Award, while Bar Tesouro (Goa) won the Best Bar Team Award. Furthermore, Bar Tesouro (Goa) also won the Best Cocktail Menu Award. Apart from this, a new award category—the Best Restaurant Bar Award was won by Comorin (Gurgaon). Meanwhile, Elephant and Co (Pune) and Bira 91 Limited Release Taproom (Bangalore), which won the People’s Choice Best Bar Award and Best Microbrewery/Taproom Award, respectively, emerged as the public favourites. Additionally, The Writer’s Bar, Welcomhotel By ITC Hotels, The Savoy (Mussoorie) won the Best Vintage Bar while Yangdup Lama was awarded as the Industry Legend. The organisers also acknowledged and honoured the resilience of bar operators and staff through the pandemic-induced lockdowns, by creating a one-off award titled ‘Best Pandemic Response’ Award.
Mr Vikram Achanta - Founder & CEO - Tulleeho and Co-Curator of 30 Best Bars in India, said, "Our master list of 500 bars with which we started our shortlisting process and how plenty of bar businesses navigated the last two difficult years, together is a testament to India's growing bar scene. In fact, several winners of tonight's 30 Best Bars ranking even have the potential to match up to the very best globally, and I congratulate all the winners." (Excerpt from a release) Blended Scotch whisky, Chivas, has unveiled a fresh new look for its flagship blend - the biggest redesign in Chivas’ 112-year history. Chivas 12 - one of the world’s biggest-selling Scotch whiskies - has undergone an extensive redesign of its bottle, label, and pack to usher in a striking new look that blends boldness, modernity, and status while still flexing the luxury and distinguished heritage long associated with Chivas.
The redesign sees the iconic Chivas 12 bottle reshaped and elongated to stand taller and prouder while still retaining its recognisable rounded shoulders. A redesigned crest shines a light on the beating heart of Chivas – the ‘luckenbooth’, a symbol embodying the Chivas values of ambition, generosity and unapologetic success. The outer box has undergone a complete renewal with a vibrant burgundy replacing the familiar silver and gold tones as the principal colour scheme. The package retains the intricate detailing and textured finish loved by Chivas fans worldwide. The entire redesign project was conceived with sustainability at its heart as part of company’s target of 100% recyclable, reusable, compostable or bio-based packaging after few years. The new bottle is lighter, saving over 1000 tonnes of glass annually, while the outer packaging is now made from fully recyclable materials. The whisky in each bottle remains the same renowned smooth, rich and generous Chivas 12 blend. The redesign is inspired by the aesthetics of a new, style-conscious generation of Scotch Whisky drinkers who are reforming and re-evaluating what luxury looks like. Commenting on the new look of the iconic Chivas 12, Kartik Mohindra, Chief Marketing Officer, Pernod Ricard India, said, “This is a colossal change for the brand, that seeks to introduce the new generation of Chivas drinkers to vibrant choices. The new design adds Boldness, Modernity and a bit of flash to the Iconic and Timeless heritage of Chivas. Through the redesign, we aim to build a stronger connect with our millennial consumer, who is unapologetic about their success and choices in life. Sustainability has been at the helm of reconceptualising Chivas 12 for a new conscious generation. The redesign also brings the brand’s commitment to sustainability to the forefront.” ( Excerpt from a release) The second edition of the annual national ranking of the best bars in the country takes one more step towards the finale with the announcement of the shortlist of the 50 top-ranked bars and 20 top-ranked microbreweries. These lists are based on the votes cast by a jury of 200 bar enthusiasts and industry experts spread across 10 cities in the country.
Besides the Best Bar, each jury member was asked to vote in the following six categories: Best Hotel Bar, Best Restaurant Bar, Best Independent Bar, Best Microbrewery or Taproom, Best Cocktail Menu, Best Bar Design. A special technical jury of 25 industry professionals also voted for two additional categories - Best Bar Team and Best Bartender. The 50 top ranking bars and the 20 top ranking microbreweries are now eligible for the People Choice Awards for the Best Bar and Best Microbrewery or Taproom. These awards are based on an online public poll on social media. This poll will open on January 30 and end on February 15, 2022. The Best Pandemic Response Award, which has been specially introduced for the year 2021 for a bar whose owners and managers used the best of their creativity and innovation to keep their business running during the dark days of the covid-forced shutdown. The top 100 Bars were asked to submit their entries to share the measures they implemented that saved jobs and helped the bar stay connected with the community. The best bar ranking for 2021 will be unveiled at the 30 Best Bars 2021 Awards ceremony. The Gala night which was to be held on January 19, 2022, has now been rescheduled keeping in mind the ongoing pandemic. The new dates will be announced as soon as the government eases restrictions. There are a total of 53 bars on the 30 Best Bars 2021 list, as three sets of bars polled the same number of votes leading to three positions in the ranking being occupied jointly by two bars each. Out of the 53 bars, as many as 32 are new entrants. Only 21 bars survive from 30Best Bars 2019 top 50 list. An interesting mix of cities feature in the 50 best bars list. New Delhi & Bangalore lead the way with 9 and 8 bars respectively. Mumbai & Goa follow with 7 bars each, Kolkata with 6, Chennai & Hyderabad with 4, Gurgaon & Pune with 3. Interestingly Jaipur and Guwahati also feature on the list, with one bar each. A total of 21 microbreweries make it to the top 20 ranking, with two outlets polling the same number of votes. Bangalore, expectedly leads the list of cities with the best microbreweries, with 8 outlets on the list, followed by Mumbai with 4, Pune with 3, and Gurgaon with 2. Goa, Kolkata, New Delhi, and Chandigarh contribute 1 each. (Excerpt from a release) The second edition of Barcelona Wine Week (BWW) will feature one of the largest programmes of talks, tastings and presentations in Spain, led by renowned personalities from the world of wine. 50 internationally-renowned experts and oenologists such as Frank Smulders, Sarah Jane Evans, François Chartier, Miquel and Mireia Torres, Ferran Centelles, Pilar Salillas, Giorgia Scaramella, José Peñín and Andrés Proensa, among others, will host the sessions organised by the leading Spanish wine trade show.
The key role of native grape varieties in sustainable production, and markets for these varieties, will be the guiding thread of many of the activities at BWW, which will take place from 4 to 6 April 2022 in Hall 8 of Fira de Barcelona's Montjuïc venue. Trends such as wine tourism 4.0, wine culture, digitalisation and innovation in the sector will also feature prominently at the event. Around thirty-five sessions will take place in different areas of the BWW Hub area, aimed at promoting educational and sensory experiences linked to wine. Some will also be focused on business. Master of Wine Frank Smulders, expert in Spanish wine and product consultant at Russian luxury chain O'key Hypermarkets, will discuss the reputation of Spanish wines in the world and European markets’ interest in leading wines made from local varieties. Another Master of Wine, Sarah Jane Evans, writer and editor at Decanter, will participate in the session 'Garnacha versatility in the context of climate variability'. Miquel and Mireia Torres, General Manager and Director of Innovation and Knowledge of Familia Torres, respectively, will hold a tasting to reveal why these varieties can adapt to high temperatures and drought, and become the solution for the viticulture of the future. Mediterranean identity: Bárbara Mesquida, winemaker and creator of Mesquida Mora; Pilar Salillas, oenologist and director of Bodega Lagravera, and Pepe Mendoza, winemaker and creator of Casa Agrícola, will defend Mediterranean identity through their native varieties at a tasting. Meanwhile, François Chartier, one of the world's leading experts on blends and aromas and president of Chartier World LAB Barcelona, will preview the impact of the landscape's biodiversity on the flavour profile of wines. To share positioning and trends in the consumption of wines made from local grape varieties in catering in recent years, three prestigious sommeliers from Spanish restaurants — Giorgia Scaramella, from Marc Fosh (Palma de Mallorca), Jon Andoni Rementeria, from Remenetxe (Gernika) and David Robledo, from Ambivium (Peñafiel) — will introduce and guide a tasting of six great wines in this category. The two leading Spanish wine critics and authors of Spain's most influential wine guides, José Peñín and Andrés Proensa, will discuss the evolution of wine in Spain over the last 40 years, looking at changes in consumption and the market and emphasising the decreased use of foreign grape varieties in comparison to local ones. Ferran Centelles, sommelier and contributor to elBullifoundation/Sapiens del Vino and Fernando Martínez de Toda, professor of viticulture at the University of La Rioja, will provide an academic perspective. Together, they will present a study on the return of native varieties. Tasting area All attendees at the trade show will be able to enjoy ‘Wine Tasting Journey/Hidden Grapes’, an activity led by Ricardo Herrera (WA), from Enoaula, with a wine bar featuring lesser-known native varieties. In this large space for self-guided tastings, you will be able to enjoy some 50 carefully selected wines from small-scale producers. There will also be a round-table discussion and tasting of wines directly related to climate change as part of the presentation of the 6th edition of Green Wine Future, an international event scheduled to take place in May that advocates for awareness of the effects of climate change in viticulture and wineries. Carlos Moro, president of the Matarromera Group, Mauricio González Gordon, president of González Byass and Jaume Gramona, owner of Bodegas Gramona, will participate. In the Speaker's Corner of the trade show, debates and round table discussions will focus on wine tourism and ways of attracting new audiences, the concept of wine as a culture, ecology and sustainability, and innovations in wineries and viticulture. Speakers will include Rafael del Rey, General Manager of the Spanish Observatory of the Wine Market, Núria Altés, owner of the Herència Altés winery and member of Wineries for Climate Action, Lluís Tolosa, sociologist and expert in wine tourism, and Ton Rimbau, creator of the Vins Rebels (Rebel Wines) On Road project, among others. Cava’s Magnificent Seven: a luxury experience Professionals interested in cava will be able to enjoy a series of exclusive events: journalist and sommelier Ramon Francàs will lead “Cava’s Magnificent Seven”, an exclusive tasting of select cavas that are still available on the market and have been aged for at least 10 years, representative of the Cava DO’s qualitative pyramid. Meanwhile, Roc Gramona, winemaker and oenologist at Bodegas Gramona and considered one of the leading representatives of high-quality cava production in Spain, will give a talk and lead a tasting of six great ancestral sparkling wines that are part of his personal project. The BWW Hub area will also host the Barcelona Rosé International Bubbles Awards for the best rosé sparkling wines. With over 600 wineries and nearly all Designations of Origin and Regulatory Council expected to take part, BWW is currently the largest showcase for the promotion of Spanish wines. Some 20,000 professionals are expected to visit the trade show. (Excerpt from a release) Wagram becomes the 17th wine-growing region in Austria that can apply the protected DAC designation to wines with regional typicity. Sekt with a protected designation of origin (Sekt g.U. (PDO)) will be named Sekt Austria (PDO) from now on. And the Kremstal region is gaining nine legally defined Ortswein (villages wines) origins. THREE LEVELS OF WAGRAM DAC: GEBIETSWEIN, ORTSWEIN & RIEDENWEIN After intensive deliberation, the Wagram region submitted a draft DAC decree, which has now been signed by the Austrian Minister of Agriculture, Sustainability and Tourism, Elisabeth Köstinger. This makes the protected designation of origin “Wagram DAC” the seventeenth of its type in Austria. Like other regions before it, Wagram decided to subdivide its DAC wines into the categories Gebietswein (regional wine), Ortswein (villages wine) and Riedenwein (single-vineyard wine). At the Gebietswein level, the traditional range of 13 permitted grape varieties is retained, including both white and red varieties. Gemischter Satz (field blend) and cuvée blends are also allowed. With regard to Ortswein, the DAC decree establishes 27 protected designations of origin. The number of permitted grape varieties is reduced down to just seven. These wines must be monovarietal. The pinnacle of the origins pyramid is represented by Riedenwein, namely wines from a single, legally defined vineyard. The flagship white varieties of the Wagram region, Grüner and Roter Veltliner, are permitted for these wines, as is Riesling. All wines must correspond to the definition of a “dry” wine, and the whites must under no circumstances have a dominant woody note. The decree applies to wines from the 2021 vintage onwards. SEKT G.U. (PDO) IS REPLACED BY SEKT AUSTRIA (PDO)The collective amendment also ushers in a significant change for Austria’s sparkling wines. From now on, Sekt with a protected designation of origin (Sekt g.U. (PDO)) can only be sold in conjunction with the terms “Sekt Austria (PDO)”, “Sekt Austria Reserve (PDO)” or “Sekt Austria Große Reserve (PDO)”. The aim of this move is to ensure that the 100% Austrian origins of these Sekts (grapes from Austria made into Sekt in Austria) is communicated more clearly. Austrian Sekt is easily identified by the red-white-red banderole on the top of the bottle.
“Our Sekts are of the highest quality and are becoming increasingly sought-after on the international stage,” Yorke explains. “By employing the designation “Sekt Austria” for sparkling wines with all-Austrian origins, we are creating a clear position and profile for these premium wines, which come in three classes.” Strict regulations apply to Sekt Austria (PDO), based on those governing the best sparkling wines in the world. For example, Sekt Austria (PDO) must be aged on the lees for at least nine months, the Reserve for at least 18 months, and the Große Reserve, for at least 36 months (replacing the previous 30). Hand-picking is compulsory for Reserve and Große Reserve. While the grapes used for Sekt Austria (PDO) and Sekt Austria Reserve (PDO) must come from a single federal state, those for the Große Reserve must be harvested within a single municipality; single-vineyard Sekts are also possible in this class. (excerpt from a release) Australian wine exports decreased significantly by 30 per cent in value to $2.03 billion and 17 per cent in volume to 619 million litres in the year ended December 2021, according to Wine Australia’s latest Export Report released today.
The export figures are reflective of the unprecedentedly tough market conditions over the past 12 months as a result of deposit tariffs imposed on bottled Australian wine imported to mainland China, the continuing impact of the global freight crisis, and a counter-swing in some markets after COVID-19 related stockpiling in 2020. The biggest driver of the decline in Australian wine exports in the 12 months to the end of December 2021 was the reduction in exports to mainland China. Exports to mainland China declined by 97 per cent in value to $29 million and by 93 per cent in volume to 6.4 million litres, a loss of nearly $1 billion in value and 90 million litres in volume, when compared to the 2020 calendar year where shipments were free from tariffs for most of the year. Wine Australia General Manager Corporate Affairs and Regulation Rachel Triggs said the Australian wine export community was managing its way through exceptionally challenging times, which is evident in the Export Report. “The 2021 calendar year represents the first full 12-month period since very high deposit tariffs on Australian wine imported to China were imposed, and the global impact of the challenging operating environment can now be observed in full. Because the export figures are compared to the prior 12-months, we’ll keep seeing significant differences in the year-to-date export figures as a result of the deposit tariffs until the end of 2022,” Ms Triggs said. “Exports excluding mainland China increased by 7 per cent in value to $2 billion and decreased by 6 per cent in volume to 613 million litres. This is the first time that exports excluding mainland China have reached $2 billion for a calendar year since 2009,” Ms Triggs said. The markets with the largest increase in value of Australian wine exports were Singapore (up 108 per cent to $166 million), Hong Kong (up 45 per cent to $191 million), South Korea (up 74 per cent to $47 million), Taiwan (up 65 per cent to $31 million) and Thailand (up 31 per cent to $28 million). Exports valued at above $10 per litre FOB increased in value by 49 per cent when excluding mainland China, giving positive signs that demand for products which would previously have been exported to China is emerging in other markets and highlighting the importance of the Australian grape and wine sector investing in market diversification. “The pandemic is still disrupting the on-trade, the global freight crisis is continuing to cause shipping delays and increased freight costs, and while there was export growth to many destinations, it will take time to offset the loss in trade to mainland China. This is not something that will happen overnight, nor within a year. But the Australian wine sector is resilient, and there are early signs that hard work in expanding and diversifying markets is paying off,” Ms Triggs said. The top five markets by value were:
Wild Drum, an Indian brand has launched hard-seltzers, a clear carbonated beverage infused with natural fruit flavorings. Wild Drum offers the refreshing beverage in four flavours: Peach, Pure, Mango, and Lemon-Mint.
Hard- Seltzer is a fresh, new category of beverage that is gaining skyrocketing popularity all around the world. Wild Drum is a refreshing drink made with clear carbonated water, alcohol and is infused with natural fruit flavorings. Launched in August 2021, this seltzer at 99 calories per serving is now available in Maharashtra, Goa and Madhya Pradesh. (Excerpt from a press release) It is priced between RS 150-200 and the alcoholic strength ranges from 4.75% to 8%. Barcelona Wine Week (BWW), the flagship event of the Spanish wine, has decided to postpone two months and will finally take place in April from 4th to 6th of 2022. The decision has been endorsed by the organizing committee of the event, which brings together the main players in the wine industry in Spain, given the uncertainty and mobility restrictions generated by the current context and to guarantee a great edition.
The new dates of the event are endorsed by most of the viticultural firms and wineries participating in BWW, represented by the Spanish Wine Federation (FEV), the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), Spain Export and Investments (ICEX), the Spanish Confederation of Wine Regulatory Councils (CECRV) and the Catalan Wine Association, among other bodies and institutions that make up its organizing committee. In this way, the second edition of the event, initially scheduled for February 7th to 9th, 2022, will take place next spring, at the Fira de Barcelona Montjuïc venue. With the expected participation of more than 600 wineries and practically all Origin Denominations and Regulatory Councils, BWW is currently the largest international promotion showcase for Spanish wines. "It’s clearly international positioning has conditioned the movement, since our main objective is to increase the business opportunities of the exhibiting companies, providing them business meetings and contacts with international buyers, distributors and importers to increase their exports or facilitate access to new markets”, explains Javier Pagés, president of the show. New dates aim to celebrate the show in a more suitable context “that allows to preserve its value proposition, guarantee the maximum ROI (Return of Investment) to all companies and ensure the future projection of the exhibition, as per its successful first edition”, says J. Antonio Valls, managing Director of Alimentaria Exhibitions, a Fira de Barcelona company who organizes BWW. Valls expresses its confidence that “international trips and meetings are more standardized on the new dates”, a key factor of the show that invites more than 350 international buyers, interested in Spanish wine, from more than 40 countries. This Hosted Buyers program of the event gives rise to more than 4,000 business meetings with the exhibiting companies. After this next edition, the show will be held every year, so it will return in February 2023, occupying the first place in the international calendar of wine events. BWW 2022 foresees the participation of more than 600 wineries and the visit of about 20,000 professionals. Its first edition in February 2020 was attended by 550 exhibiting firms and 15,600 professionals, 13% of them from 54 countries. (Excerpt from a release) Bengaluru, India
Salud Beverages, the makers of Ready to Drink brand G&T 2.0 is is now launching 3 more pour and enjoy variants; a Watermelon & Mint G&T 2.0, Salud Strong, and Salud Sonic. They are price at Rs 130 for 275 ml WATERMELON & MINT G&T 2.0 The oh-so-cooling vitality of watermelon and the zesty thrill of mint meet for an experience like a summer holiday in a bottle. STRONG (8% alcohol) Classic English Juniper-crafted gin gets an update with an effervescent aerated twist and a stronger kick. SONIC SOda and toNIC – a classic Japanese mix – with an Indian twist highlights this low-sugar gin refresher with just 99 calories. For more details , go to https://www.salud.co.in/ Mont Saint Guibert, Belgium
In an effort to better serve the global brewing community Yakima Chief Hops (YCH), the largest grower-owned hop supplier based in Yakima, Washington, has completed construction of a state-of-the-art cold storage warehouse in Belgium. Yakima Chief Hops has been supplying brewers worldwide with quality hops for more than 30 years. Developing some of the most cutting-edge products in the market, YCH has become a driver for creativity and innovation in the global beer industry. The expansion into Europe will greatly improve the YCH customer experience, including increased access to their extensive portfolio of products and varieties as well as improved logistics and faster delivery times to brewery customers. “Establishing a foundation here in Europe speaks to the commitment YCH has to delivering the highest quality hops directly to its global brewing customers,” said Denis Gayte – Managing Director for YCH Europe. “Our new facility ensures that our hops grown in America’s Pacific Northwest can be stored here in Europe and delivered to customers in the best possible condition.” Located in Mont Saint Guibert, the 6,600 sqm2 warehouse includes cold storage capacity to house up to 8,800 pallets of hops, office space, a taproom and a visitor center where customers can learn about hops and sample beers using YCH products. YCH also invested in a homebrew production line allowing the ability to offer high-quality hop pellets in smaller size packaging for home and nano brewers. The facility was also designed with sustainability in mind, as it supports an 1800-panel solar array, producing 750 MW of energy, or about half of the building’s total consumption. The green construction, design and operation plan centers around waste diversion, water conservation and healthfulness of interior spaces. The building runs on renewable energy and uses higher efficiency fixtures that reduce energy and water consumption. (Excerpt from a release) For a second time this year, Campbeltown-based Glen Scotia has been recognised for its whisky-making abilities after scooping yet another prestigious award. The distiller has been named the Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year at the Scottish
Whisky Awards, an accolade it receives just seven months after being crowned as the ‘Best in Show’ and thus Best Whisky In The World 2021 at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) for its Glen Scotia 25-Year-Old expression. It is the first time that one distillery has won both awards in the same year, demonstrating the increasing stature and visibility of the Campbeltown whisky producer. Glen Scotia hails from Scotland’s smallest whisky-producing region. Once known as the “Victorian Whisky Capital of the World,” in its heyday, the small coastal town was home to over 30 distilleries. Today, Glen Scotia is one of just three surviving distilleries but through a programme of continued investment and local effort, Glen Scotia is growing its presence in the UK and international markets, allowing the potential of Campbeltown to once again be realised. Iain McAlister, Master Distiller and distillery manager at Glen Scotia, said: “For a long time Campbeltown was the forgotten whisky region, however, in recent years there has been a real resurgence in interest in the type of whisky we produce here. From the Victorian era until the present day, whisky has always been at the heart of this community. The techniques and craftsmanship that make our whisky so unique have been passed through generations, and I am thankful that we have managed to revive the whisky- making heritage of Campbeltown long after many of its distilleries fell away." Excerpt from a release ( Glen Scotia is represented in the sub-continent by Fermentras India) |
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