Gastronomy and Wine Portal

Domäne Wachau, the WTA nominee in the Visiting card of the country / Must visit category, is the only estate in the entire Wachau region to nurture exclusive parcels in every well-known single vineyard of the Wachau.

The wines of Domäne Wachau express the character and the best terroir features of renowned single vineyard sites, such as Loibenberg, Achleiten, 1000-Eimer-Berg, Singerriedel and Kellerberg. Vineyard terraces with dry stone walls are an essential part – and, in fact, a hallmark – of the terroirs of the Wachau.

Wachau’s steep and terraced vineyards not only require a lot of work and produce amazing quality wines. They are also a tourist attraction. This summer the famous Domäne is organizing several WINE.RIEDEN.HIKE tours, showing Wachau at its best. After a short train ride on the Wachaubahn from Dürnstein to Weissenkirchen, visitors will hike on the Achleitenweg through the legendary vineyard. Further in the tour continues up the Danube to Spitz, and later the river current takes the tourists along the vineyards back to Dürnstein. Along the road, the organizers offer their guests a selection of excellent wines, a large collection of exciting and interesting stories and plenty of culinary delights. This is definitely a valuable experience for wine lovers, not-to-be-missed!

Visitors can also experience the unique nature around the Domäne Wachau winery having a wine picnic at the foot of the Kellerberg mountain. The winery team will lovingly pack a picnic backpack for their guests, filled with a bottle of wine, a fine snack and Wachau specialties. There‘s a lot to see around: the Danube, beautiful, quiet places and a spectacular landscape with unique vineyards and dry stone walls. Independent picnickers are given tips for the best pit-stop locations and hiking trails in Loiben and Dürnstein directly from the winery‘s on-site team. Picnic tours are available on a regular basis, Monday through Saturday.

On July 8, the famous chateau will hold a huge music and dance event, combining   the chill wine tasting with fine beats. MUSIC & WINE: Domäne Wachau  + friends event will gather over 30 Wachauer top wineries, food trucks, offering their guests great wine, tasty food, spirits and cocktails and cool DJ sound – all of this in a unique atmosphere at the foot of the picturesque vineyard-planted Kellerberg mountain.

Besides their own events, Domäne Wachau are also engaged in various collaborations. As a matter of fact, the winery‘s amazing Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Terrassen 2022 has been chosen as the official white wine of the Salzburg Festival this year. 

Speaking of amazing wines, we will close this piece by more wonderful news from Domäne Wachau: their Grüner Veltliner & Riesling Emerald Ried Achleiten 2022 has been recently awarded a gold medal by Decanter, with a solid high score of 95 points. Congratulations to the award winning wine and its creators – well done, the Domäne Wachau team, and wishing you lots of success with the forthcoming vintage!

Domäne Wachau, the WTA nominee in the Visiting card of the country / Must visit category, is the only estate in the entire Wachau region to nurture exclusive parcels in every well-known single vineyard of the Wachau. The wines of Domäne Wachau express the character and the best terroir features of renowned single vineyard sites, […]

Schloss Esterházy (Esterhazy Palace), located in Burgenland, Austria, the WTA nominee in the and public voting winner in the Cultural mission category, is, traditionally, one of the country’s hottest spots both for local and international tourism.

Striking and imposing, Esterházy Palace has many memories to share: Joseph Haydn’s former place of work, a cradle of Viennese Classicism and a venue for magnificent concerts and festivities, today the Palace welcomes visitors as a museum and contemporary event location. 

The culture on offer here includes exciting adventures: excursions, thematic picnics, sommer classics matinees, open-air operas, jazz and rock music concerts, family festivals and other special events will definitely attract all types of travelers and culture lovers this summer. Only an hour away from Vienna by car, standing in the midst of the unique Pannonian landscape, Esterházy Palace is the region’s true tourist magnet.

The Esterházy private foundation’s aim is to create a link between the past and the present and to interpret history based on a contemporary approach, integrating modern culture, gastronomy and winemaking within the classic and historical environment. For example, in the former court stables one may find Henrici, a top-notch restaurant serving Pannonian and Mediterranean cuisine. Right next door, visitors may enjoy the splendid wines of Burgenland, wine tastings and master-classes at the Selektion Vinothek Burgenland, to accompany regional treats of the season at the Kulinarium Burgenland Market Hall. The Herbstgold Festival will be held at Esterházy Palace from September 9 to 24, 2023. It will combine the aspects of classical, jazz and Balkan Roma music with food & wine and the tradition of the historic location.

One of the Palace’s main attractions is, no doubt, the largest wine museum in Austria located in the basement of Esterházy. It displays over 700 exhibits from Burgenland’s rich wine history. The wine museum, occupying  spacious rooms, corridors and vaults of the Palace, offers an authentic tour into the world of wine and into the history of wine culture in the Pannonian region.

Multi-cultural journey combined with amazing Austrian wines and gastronomic specialities from the heart of Burgenland — probably one of the best things to experience this summer. Esterházy Palace is welcoming guests!

Schloss Esterházy (Esterhazy Palace), located in Burgenland, Austria, the WTA nominee in the and public voting winner in the Cultural mission category, is, traditionally, one of the country’s hottest spots both for local and international tourism. Striking and imposing, Esterházy Palace has many memories to share: Joseph Haydn’s former place of work, a cradle of […]

The Wine Travel Awards community is happy to welcome a new member. “ARMENIA WINE” Winery and Vineyards becomes a nominee for the 2023-2024 edition reinforcing a common effort of the Armenian wine industry in promoting their country as a magnificent enogastronomic destination. The guests of the WTA Ceremony at the London Wine Fair had a chance to taste wines produced by “Armenia Wine”.

The Armenia Wine Company has a captivating story that reflects the rich winemaking heritage of Armenia. Situated in the heart of the historic Ararat Valley, this esteemed winery combines tradition, innovation, and a deep passion for winemaking.

The inception of “Armenia Wine” can be traced back to the deep love that the Vardanyan and Mkrtchyan families have for their homeland, nature, and culture. The company started its winemaking journey in 2008 combining the 6000-year heritage of Armenian winemaking, wine culture, and modern international technologies on one idea: presenting Armenian wine to the world as a sample of the national value.

At the core of their winemaking philosophy is a commitment to sustainability and organic practices. The vineyards are carefully tended using environmentally friendly methods, respecting the natural balance of the ecosystem. The winery embraces modern technology while staying true to ancient winemaking techniques that have been passed down through generations.

“ARMENIA WINE” Winery and Vineyards boasts an impressive portfolio of wines, ranging from reds and whites to rosés and sparkling wines. They take pride in their extensive collection of indigenous grape varieties, including Armenian and European grape varieties like Areni Noir, Kangun, and Voskehat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Viogne ….. the blends of these grape varieties fully express the uniqueness of the Armenian Terroir.

What sets the Armenia Wine Company apart is their dedication to innovation and experimentation. They constantly push boundaries by exploring new winemaking methods, aging techniques, and blending styles. This commitment to creativity has earned them numerous accolades and recognition from international wine competitions and experts. Among them, the company’s organic wine BioNe is an oddity to Mother Nature. The French chef consultant and winemaker of the company Jean-Baptiste Soula mentions: “Armenian highland is an ideal environment for organic viticulture, and making organic wine in Armenia was an amazing experience”.

Beyond crafting exceptional wines, the Armenia Wine Company also aims to promote Armenian culture and heritage. “The ultra-premium novelty of the company “Tariri Karasum” is an excellent example for that. The wine ages in the clay pots /karas/ for a year, preserving the pure aromas given from the Nature. This wine is a perfect blend of all the grape varieties harvested during the year. It truly expresses the features of Armenian terroir”- mentions the commercial director of the company Kristine Vardanyan.

Armenia Wine Company has taken the responsibility not only to present Armenian wine to the world but also to popularise Armenian culture, colorful traditions, and history. For this aim together with the ministries of culture and education the Wine History Museum of Armenia opened in the territory of the winery in 2017. With this big step, Armenia Wine Company became a state-of-the-art center of culture, history, and education.

With a vision rooted in the past and an unwavering focus on the future, the Armenia Wine Company continues to be a leading force in the Armenian wine industry. Their wines, imbued with the essence of Armenia’s ancient winemaking traditions and the spirit of innovation, captivate wine enthusiasts around the world, making them a true ambassador of Armenian winemaking excellence.

Nowadays the company’s activity includes several key-points which reflect the dimension of the company and the high level of working style.

1. Yearly production capacity of up to 14 mln bottles
2. 135 hectares of own vineyards
3. 83 hectares of organic vineyards
4. Cooperation with more than 600 winegrowers from 4 winemaking regions
5. Regular export to more than 50 countries
6. Cooperation with international experts and winemakers: Jean-Baptiste Soula as the chef-consultant, Olivier Chapt as the main brandy maker, and Paulo Piera as the sparkling wine master.

Tasting experience with “Armenia Wine” at the WTA Ceremony

Tariri. Areni, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon Red Dry Wine

ORIGIN: Vayots Dzor and Armavir regions

GRAPE: Areni 50% (Vayots Dzor), Cabernet Sauvignon 25% and Merlot 25% (Armavir)

HARVEST DATE: End September, early October

CLIMATE: Continental climate. Vineyards are situated at the altitude of 1200 meters above sea level.

YIELD: 45 hl/ha

WINEMAKING: The grapes are hand-harvested at the peak of their maturity and transferred to the estate in small boxes in refrigerator trucks. Last strict sorting on the selection table during grape reception. Two weeks of alcoholic fermentation and maceration with temperature between 26 to 28°C in stainless steel tanks.

TASTING NOTES: This deep red colour wine has a complex nose with fruity aroma (blackberries, wild cherries, grapes) with a touch of spicy, peppery notes. The palate is structured yet elegant, velvety yet persistent. Cabernet Sauvignon gives the wine black currant notes, Merlot- smooth tannins, Areni- elegance.

FOOD PAIRING: Filet of beef, pork tenderloin, gorgonzola.

SERVING TEMPERATURE: 18°C

CONSULTING WINEMAKER: Jean-Baptiste Soula

Takar. Areni Red Dry Wine

ORIGIN: Vayots Dzor region

GRAPE: Areni

HARVEST DATE: Early October

CLIMATE: Continental climate. Vineyards are situated at the altitude of 1200 meters above sea level.

YIELD: 55 hl/ha

WINEMAKING: The grapes are hand-harvested at the peak of their maturity and transferred to the estate in small boxes in refrigerator trucks. Last strict sorting on the selection table during grape reception. Two weeks of alcoholic fermentation at the temperature between 26°C to 28°C in stainless steel tanks. One month of maceration.

TASTING NOTES: The wine has a cherry red colour with purple hint. The nose evokes pleasant spiciness (vanilla, licorice, overtones of pepper and clove) with cherry and blackberry on the background. The palate is precise with good tannins and nice structure.

FOOD PAIRING: Lamb dishes, meats in sauce, roast poultry, soft cheeses, berry pies.

SERVING TEMPERATURE: 18°C

CONSULTING WINEMAKER: Jean-Baptiste Soula

Yerevan 782. B.C. Areni, Karmrahyut Red Dry Wine

ORIGIN: Vayots Dzor and Aragatsotn regions

GRAPE: Areni 65%, Karmrahyut 35%

HARVEST DATE: End September, early October

CLIMATE: Continental climate. Vineyards are situated at altitudes of 1000 – 1200 meters above sea level.

YIELD: 65 hl/ha

WINEMAKING: Manual harvest. Two weeks of fermentation at the temperature between 26°C to 28°C in stainless steel tanks and two weeks of maceration.

TASTING NOTES: Ruby red color, delicate dark cherry aroma. The mouth is juicy, fresh and well-balanced.

FOOD PAIRING: Ideal for meats and cheeses.

SERVING TEMPERATURE: 16 °С

CONSULTING WINEMAKER: Jean-Baptiste Soula

The Wine Travel Awards community is happy to welcome a new member. “ARMENIA WINE” Winery and Vineyards becomes a nominee for the 2023-2024 edition reinforcing a common effort of the Armenian wine industry in promoting their country as a magnificent enogastronomic destination. The guests of the WTA Ceremony at the London Wine Fair had a […]

Great news from Zlaten Rozhen, the WTA nominee from Bulgaria (Category: The Visiting Card of the country): this wonderful winery has gained 3 medals from the recent Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2023 Red and White Wine tasting! The success is even more tremendous, considering that 2 out of 3 medals won by our nominee are Golds, and one is Grand Gold!

«These coveted and prestigious awards were given to our wines, but congratulations go to our entire close-knit team who work with a lot of love and knowledge at the vineyards and at the winery! Special ovation for the chief oenologist Dimitar Petkov!!!» —  Zlaten Rozhen posted on their Facebook page. 

The gold medals were awarded to Sandan Misket Parallel 41 vintage 2022 – the wine created from a local variety, speaking prominently of a specific local terroir, and to Cabernet Franc Parallel 41 vintage 2019 — a new release which the winery calls a successful «debut».

The highest trophy — Grand Gold Medal — was awarded to Cabernet Sauvignon Exclusive lot 2017, a pre-release wine by Zlaten Rozhen. The winemakers were patiently waiting for it to unfold its potential, and it performed brilliantly at the CBM Red and White Wine tasting 2023.

Some important facts to mention in the context:

• only 87 out of nearly 7,500 wines from around the world have been awarded the Grand Gold Medal in CBM Red and White Wine tasting 2023;
• Zlaten Rozhen Cabernet Sauvignon Exclusive lot 2017 is one of the 3 Bulgarian wines awarded the Grand Gold Medal in this year‘s session.

Well done, Zlaten Rozhen, and warm congratulations from the WTA team!

For those who would be interested to visit Zlaten Rozhen winery and taste their award-winning wines, here’s some useful info. Zlaten Rozhen is located in the village of Kapatovo, near the town of Melnik in the famous Struma Valley wine region. It was established in 2010 and is continuously growing and developing throughout the years. In 2017 the owners of Zlaten Rozhen acquired another local winery with its vineyards, which made them one of the largest vinegrowers and winemakers in the region. Currently Zlaten Rozhen owns 800 acres of vineyards, growing both local varieties like Broadleaved Melnik (known also as Shiroka Melnik), Melnik 55 and Rubin, and the classics Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. They also have plantations with some non-typical varieties for the region, such as Sangiovese and Nebiolo. 

The wine cellar is open for visitors every day from 10 to 18 h. On the spot guests may choose between 6 types of wine tastings. Zlaten Rozhen team can also organize a tailored tasting according to your taste. The tour around the cellar is included.

Enjoy the tour of amazing Bulgarian wines!

Great news from Zlaten Rozhen, the WTA nominee from Bulgaria (Category: The Visiting Card of the country): this wonderful winery has gained 3 medals from the recent Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2023 Red and White Wine tasting! The success is even more tremendous, considering that 2 out of 3 medals won by our nominee are […]

In the framework of the WinExpo Georgia, Wine Travel Awards (WTA) and Drinks+ exhibition partner, the international wine competition traditionally took place. The winners were selected by a jury composed of Georgian and foreign specialists. 

WinExpo Georgia, WTA and Drinks+ exhibition partner, is a renowned exhibition in the industry. It has a long-standing tradition of providing Georgian wine producers with excellent opportunities to showcase their products to both local and international audiences. Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, the interest in Georgian wine continues to grow annually, contributing to the exhibition’s increasing scale and prominence.

WinExpo Georgia 2023 was held on June 2-4 in the 11th pavilion and outdoor spaces of Expo Georgia. 200 companies participated in the exhibition. WinExpo Georgia creates a highly productive working environment. Its significance in the industry is widely recognized, benefiting both the local and international markets. Notably, WinExpo Georgia stands out as the sole exhibition in Georgia that not only showcases products like packaging materials, fertilizers, viticulture and winemaking equipment, nurseries, glass, and accessories but also presents various services.

Moreover, WinExpo Georgia serves as a gathering place for wine enthusiasts seeking to taste the finest wines and alcoholic beverages, meet winemakers, and stay informed about industry news, innovations, and emerging trends.

The WTA and Drinks+ team participated at the WinExpo Georgia with its own stand where we gladly introduced visitors to the opportunities our project opens and to the progressive and innovative community it represents.

At the stand in Georgia, in addition to the WTA Guide Special Edition, the corporate newspaper Menu, dedicated to Georgia, was presented in English and Georgian, which the Drinks+ media group publishes in traditional collaboration with the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

On 2 June, our team held the WTA Celebration in honour of Georgian winners of the 2022-2023 edition. In the framework of the event, a walk-around tasting of exemplary wines produced by our Georgian nominees and partners was organized in a pairing with premium American beef (thanks to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), sponsor of the celebration). SHUMI Winery, the winner in the Visiting card of the country / Must visit, Progressive Approach, Art & History Object categories, presented their wines, as well as a unique alcoholic beverage, Zigu. GWS, another significant winemaking company from Georgia, introduced their wine collection to the guests of the tasting, while Chateau Mukhrani, the WTA public voting winner and one of the best wineries of Georgia, impressed our guests with their premium wines.

On the next day, WinExpo Georgia participants and visitors gathered together in order to discover the names of the winners of the prestigious International Wine Award, which has been successfully held for 13 years. This award significantly contributes to promoting Georgia both domestically and internationally. The winners are determined through blind tastings conducted by Georgian and foreign Masters of Wine, sommeliers, and wine experts.

11 members of the jury from 7 countries devoted their time and expertise to the competition this year. Leading the competition was Tim Atkin, an esteemed British Master of Wine, broadcaster, and author at respected publications like Decanter. Besides, other jury members were Taylor Parsons – sommelier, marketer, restaurateur; Aurore Jeaudy – oenologue, winemaker, member of the sommelier association of France; Felicity Carter – journalist and magazine editor, consultant in wine export affairs and WTA Jury for the second consecutive year; Chan Jun Park – wine writer and educator, Vice president of Korea International Sommelier Association; Matt Wilkin – Master Sommelier, educator, restaurateur; Anastassia Roncoletta – sommelier, wine expert, and international wine marketer; Mikheil Meskhi – Wine Expert, Consultant-Oenologist, Doctor of Technical Science; Anna Godabrelidze – Engineering technician, oenologue, director of the faculty of Viticulture and oenology of the Agricultural University of Georgia, State Tasting Commission Chairwoman at the Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia; Levan Mekhuzla – Oenologue, chairman of the National Wine Agency of Georgia; Giorgi Dakisvhili – oenologue, wine expert, doctor of food technology, professional Member of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture.

Also, on the sidelines of the exhibition, you could see such notable personalities of the wine world as Robert Joseph, author of the “Wine Travel Guide to the World”, an editorial consultant for Meininger’s Wine Business International and, again, a judge of the WTA. Which, of course, shows the high interest of the world in Georgian wine.

The contest evaluates wines in eight categories, and the top performers receive gold, silver, and bronze medals. During two days, more than 250 types of wine from 80 companies were tasted. The winners were identified in the following wine categories: white dry, white semi-sweet, white qvevri, red dry, red dry qvevri, red semi-sweet, and rosé.

As part of WinExpo 2023, 80 bronze, 67 silver, 9 gold and 3 trophy medals (highest award) were awarded. The wines of the following companies won gold medals in the international wine competition: Khmelos Winery, Lomiskareli, Mildiani Family Winery, Gida Wine, Marani, Chelti Winery. Mildiani Family Winery and Chelti Winery won the highest award-trophy.

Congratulations to all the winners! This year, WTA and WinExpo Georgia have created a wonderful symbiosis, bringing more victories to Georgia and contributing to its recognition and promotion as a great enogastronomic tourism destination.

In the framework of the WinExpo Georgia, Wine Travel Awards (WTA) and Drinks+ exhibition partner, the international wine competition traditionally took place. The winners were selected by a jury composed of Georgian and foreign specialists.  WinExpo Georgia, WTA and Drinks+ exhibition partner, is a renowned exhibition in the industry. It has a long-standing tradition of […]

Ми поговорили з генеральним директором консорціуму паном Джакомо Пондіні про те, як функціонує один із найвідоміших DOCG П’ємонту Consorzio dell’Asti, які відкриваються вектори та маркетингові стратегії, зокрема у рамках проєкту Wine Travel Awards, про ініціативи сталого розвитку серед виноробів Асті, вина та нові ринки.

Consorzio dell’Asti опікується одним із найвідоміших DOCG П’ємонту. Розкажіть, будь ласка, які території, теруари і скільки маєтків він охоплює сьогодні?

Територія виробництва Asti DOCG охоплює 51 муніципалітет у провінціях Алессандрія, Асті, Кунео: десять тисяч гектарів Moscato bianco в самому серці одного з найважливіших регіонів Італії з точки зору якісних вин – П’ємонту. З 2014 року регіон є об’єктом ЮНЕСКО. Територія зазвичай характеризується горбистими ландшафтами, вкритими виноградниками, іноді розташованими на крутих схилах, які можна обробляти лише вручну. Велика різноманітність терруарів із ґрунтами, які можуть варіюватися від легких мінеральних і піщаних, більш водопроникних на західній стороні, до насичених мулом, твердих, на півдорозі між Котськими Альпами та Лігурійським морем.

Пане Джакомо, як ми знаємо, ви маєте освіту політолога-міжнародника та великий досвід роботи у винному світі, зокрема в К’янті та консорціумі Брунелло ді Монтальчіно. Як все це впливає на роботу в Consorzio dell’Asti та  Moscato d’Asti DOCG? Що саме ви змінили, які нові вектори відкрили?

Я не думаю, що нам потрібно щось змінювати чи винаходити. Це все там. Асті та Москато д’Асті як ігристі вина, є універсальними. Це дійсно може бути бонусом з точки зору створення різних ліній зв’язку. А історія цього вина робить речі ще цікавішими: прабатько ігристого Asti було створено Карло Ганчіа в ХІХ столітті на основі винограду Москато за традиційним методом. У 1898 році Федеріко Мартінотті, директор енологічної школи в Асті, створив метод «бродіння в резервуарах», щоб удосконалити процес виніфікації та водночас створити умови для нового стилю вина, менш бульбашкового – Moscato d’Асті. Asti DOCG знаходиться в центрі історії ігристих вин.

З червня 2014 року виноробний ландшафт Ланге, Роеро та Монферрато, що складається з 5 виноробних районів, включаючи Канеллі та Асті Спуманте, визнано об’єктом Всесвітньої спадщини ЮНЕСКО. Визнання стосується не лише мальовничих пагорбів, вкритих виноградниками та виноробнями, замками та багатовіковими підвалами, а й ролі, яку відігравали й відіграють винороби Moscato bianco та Asti у розвитку економіки та збереженні територій. Як Consorzio dell’Asti працює над цією програмою? Ми розуміємо, що участь консорціуму в міжнародній премії Wine Travel Awards другий рік поспіль є акцією в цьому напрямку. А які ще заходи чи програми для просування цих славних територій і виноробень на світовому ринку у ваших планах?

Як Консорціум, ми зосереджені на різних проєктах «брендування місць». Один із них полягає в «поясненні» ландшафту за допомогою художніх інсталяцій, розміщених уздовж вулиць і кільцевих розв’язок району виробництва Асті, які нагадують про традиції вирощування винограду, пояснюючи роль винограду Москато в місцевій громаді.

Судячи зі складу номінантів Wine Travel Awards від Asti (до речі, деякі з них, у тому числі й сам консорціум, стали переможцями публічного голосування), ми спостерігаємо, що це не лише виноробні, а й такі пропозиції для туристів, як LMR TrEno, історичні Casa Martini & Rossi, Canelli з його підземним собором, Moscato Wine Route тощо. Як консорціум співпрацює з подібними об’єктами, якісь створюються унікальні колаборації?

Я вважаю, що незабаром роль консорціумів все більше зосереджуватиметься на питаннях туризму. Маючи це на увазі, ми повинні створити мережу, яка виходить за межі наших виноробень, залучаючи всі активи, які можуть сприяти розвитку спільноти, наприклад її історичну та культурну спадщину.

Вина Asti, завдяки своїй якості, легкості та можливостям споживання – від аперитивів до коктейлів – стають все більш популярними. Крім того, Consorzio dell’Asti має в портфоліо слабоалкогольні вина. Будь ласка, прокоментуйте цю популярну тенденцію. Можливо, проводилися маркетингові дослідження, поділіться своїми спостереженнями.

У всьому світі зростає інтерес до слабоалкогольних вин. Asti Sparkling Dolce і Moscato d’Asti завжди мали природний низький вміст алкоголю, як природно солодкі. Разом із ароматичним профілем усі ці характеристики роблять наше вино унікальним, відіграючи яскраву роль у глобальному сценарії вин GI/DOCG.

Чи запровадив консорціум якісь заходи щодо заохочення виноробів до виробництва слабоалкогольних вин?

Консорціум може підтримувати свої виноробні – відповідно до закону – лише у просуванні та захисті вин ASTI DOCG.

Також було б цікаво дізнатися про ініціативи сталого розвитку серед виноробів Асті. Як на ваших територіях впроваджуються ці моделі і яку підтримку ви надаєте тим, хто їх застосовує?

Сталий розвиток завжди був ключовим фактором для багатьох виробників. Насправді першим БІО-вином в Італії було Moscato d’Asti ще в 1992 році.

Зараз ми експериментуємо з групою виноробень із протоколом сталого розвитку, який плануємо поширити на всю територію, щоб за кілька років отримати сертифікат сталого розвитку для всього найменування.

Якщо говорити про експорт вин, то ринки яких країн є для вас пріоритетними на даний момент, хто є лідерами споживання ваших вин? Судячи із загальної статистики, Італія лідирує навіть серед таких розвинених виноробних країн як Франція. Які країни Європи знаходяться в зоні ваших інтересів?

Сполучені Штати є першим у світі ринком для Moscato d’Asti, тоді як Asti Sparkling є основним експортним пунктом у східноєвропейських країнах.

Ми зазначали, що Consorzio dell’Asti має досить незвичний підхід до відбору своїх амбасадорів. Якщо більшість винних асоціацій покладаються на сомельє, то до числа послів Asti входять бармени, шеф-кухарі, кулінарні школи та Accademia Maestri Pasticceri Italiani. Серед амбасадорів Асті навіть є молода зірка тенісу Сонні (Лоренцо Сонего). Це конкретна стратегія Consorzio dell’Asti? Хто її автор? Ви залучаєте до клану амбасадорів гідів чи представників інших туристичних професій?

Asti є популярним DOCG в Італії, і щоб пояснити універсальність цих вин, нам потрібні були різні характери. Еногастрономічні поєднання представляє відомий італійський шеф-кухар Алессандро Боргезе, секрети міксології – чуттєвий бармен Джорджіо Факкінетті, топ-десерт готує AMPI та будь-який святковий момент презентує тенісна зірка Сонего. Для Асті завжди є причина.

Згодні! Зокрема, бачимо, що Consorzio dell’Asti підтримує велику кількість ініціатив, зокрема офіційний блискучий фінал тенісного турніру Nitto ATP. Відзначив своє 90-річчя виставкою під назвою «Novant’anni di bollicine». Над якими ще програмами креативного маркетингу ви працюєте?

Однією з наступних великих цілей буде розробка комплексу для підвищення обізнаності про найменування, створення постійної виставки, де любителі вина зможуть зрозуміти та насолодитися унікальною історією Асті та його винами.

Озвучте, будь ласка, більш детально провідні заходи – справді, їх кількість і різноманітність вражають – від офіційних зустрічей і форумів до фестивалів, коктейльних вечірок і гастрономічних виїздів.

Це займе кілька сторінок вашого видання. Я хотів би зазначити, що тільки для «місцевої» реклами в зоні виробництва Asti DOCG є 51 муніципалітет, і майже в кожному з них щороку проводиться певна подія, яку підтримує Консорціум. Потім додайте такі події, як Vinitaly, Prowein, London Wine Fair, Guided Tasting in the US and other countries, Milano Wine Week, Collissioni Festival, Atp Tennis turnir… та багато іншого.

Які нові проєкти та концепції ви розробляєте (можливо, спільно з регіональними промоційними організаціями) для розвитку та просування винного туризму в найближчі роки?

Я вважаю, що ключовим має бути просування П’ємонту в цілому через концепцію Langhe-Roero та Monferrato, яка може негайно залучити людей до сприйняття високоякісних вин та їжі в чудовому ландшафті.

Якщо виділити лише три головні місії очолюваного вами сьогодні консорціуму, то які б ви назвали в першу чергу?

Підвищувати обізнаність про вина Asti DOCG та його територію, забезпечуючи стабільність виробництва в екологічно чистий спосіб.

Дякуємо за ваш час і цікаву роботу!

Ми поговорили з генеральним директором консорціуму паном Джакомо Пондіні про те, як функціонує один із найвідоміших DOCG П’ємонту Consorzio dell’Asti, які відкриваються вектори та маркетингові стратегії, зокрема у рамках проєкту Wine Travel Awards, про ініціативи сталого розвитку серед виноробів Асті, вина та нові ринки. Consorzio dell’Asti опікується одним із найвідоміших DOCG П’ємонту. Розкажіть, будь ласка, […]

London Wine Fair, official exhibition partner of Drinks+ and the Wine Travel Awards, reported an increasing interest in the international wine event this year.

According to the official data of the London Wine Fair organizers, 2023 was the industry’s opportunity to get back to normal. Total (net) visitors were 10,091, a 14% increase compared to last year; 34% of visitors were from the on-trade. Tuesday, 16th of May, was the busiest day of the show, with more than 3,500 visitors through the doors.  

In 2023, the number of exhibition participants increased by 30% compared to last year and amounted to 417. These included a cross section of the top UK agents, such as Enotria&Coe, Felix Solis Avantis, Hatch Mansfield, ABS and Seckford Wines, a raft of generic bodies, from market leaders, France, Italy and Spain, as well as those off the beaten track: Armenia, Georgia, Greece, Moldova and Ukraine. Brands too were out in force, such as Babylonstoren, Canned Wine Company, Cramele Recas and Trapiche, to name just a few. The ratio of visitors to exhibitors was particularly high: in 2023 there were 24 visitors for every exhibitor.

Head of Fair, Hannah Tovey commented: “Anyone who came to the show this year will have seen a wine industry firing on all cylinders. After the many challenges of last year, there was a tangible buzz to this week’s event, with meaningful business being done alongside the never more crucial networking and knowledge sharing, which is so pertinent to London Wine Fair. Sustainability was placed at the heart of the show this year, with ground-breaking initiatives such as the London Wine Fair 2023 Bottle Reuse Initiative spearheaded by Porto Protocol and Sustainable Wine Solutions, alongside game-changing developments and discussions from panellists and audiences alike on topics ranging from bottle weight to organics, which will influence our industry on a global scale over the coming months and years. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for follow-up reports on exhibitor sustainability stats and the bottle reuse report.” 

Kirsty Loftus, UK Area Manager, Zamora Company:

“The quality of the visitors has been really high, and the level of knowledge has been encouraging. The energy and buzz is back in the trade and that is really good to see.”

Simon Rollings, CEO, Founder, Canned Wine Company:

“It has been a fantastic platform for announcing the brand to trade.  It’s been a good opportunity to reinforce existing relationships and meet new customers. And we’d like to come back bigger and better.”

Jack Denley, Marketing Manager, Petainer:

“In terms of market spend and in terms of return on investment, it has been the best value for money in terms of any event in the past 12 months, and this show has such a nice atmosphere.”

Our editorial team completely agrees with the general opinion: “The exhibition days were fruitful and full of events. We had a lot of professional meetings and negotiations. Our contacts have been replenished with new project participants and partners. I would like to emphasize once again that the WTA community is always open to new members.”

This year, Drinks+ and Wine Travel Awards traditionally presented the participants of the award’s community at their own stand for three days. In addition, for the second time, a special event in the history of the WTA project – the awarding ceremony of the winners – took place at the fair. In a solemn atmosphere, which was not hindered by the morning time or the city transporters’ strike, due to which the city’s traffic arteries were almost blocked, the winners in all 6 nominations were announced: Visiting Card of the Country, Ambassador, Wine & Food Influencer, Education in Enotourism, Wine Guide, Enogastronomic Events. 

Among them, our guests could hear both new and world-famous names of companies and persons working in the wine tourism industry. The names of the public voting winners and the award’ winners can be found here. 

Let’s just say, due to the collaboration with the Gérard Basset Foundation and thanks to the personal consent of Monsieur Basset’s family – Nina Basset, WTA judge, and her son Romane Basset, this year the WTA winner of the Ambassador of the Year category also was awarded with the Gérard Basset Prize “Ambassador of the Year”. It is important to add that the journalists of our editorial office were personally familiar with Monsieur Basset  and whose loss we mourn to this day.

Armenian sommelier and wine writer – Artem Mkrtychan became the first honorary laureate of the Gérard Basset Prize “Ambassador of the Year”.

Another innovation in the project this year: thanks to the financial support from the international wine group Vinos de La Luz and its president Ricardo F. Nunez, the most talented and active wine authors from the Wine & Food Influencers nomination received the money prizes. So the following nominees were awarded:

Author of the year – Professor Marianna Sigala

Expert opinion – Gergely Szolnoki

The brightest journey – Rojita Tiwari

The Wine Travel Awards project, owned by one of the oldest European media groups – Drinks+, presented not only the winners and sponsors in the framework of the exhibition, but also organized a bright tasting of the community members during the ceremony. Devoted to this event, a special print and digital edition of the Wine Travel Awards Guide was released.

After the awarding ceremony, a walk-around tasting took place. The guests had the opportunity to meet members of the WTA community and taste their wines. Such as:

ASTI DOCG (Italy) – SAROTTO, Asti Spumante Dry; MARANZANA, Asti Spumante Dry; MATTEO SORIA, Asti Spumante Brut; LA TORRE, Asti Spumante Dry; FONTANAFREDDA, Asti Spumante Dolce; SANTERO, Asti Spumante Dolce; TRE SECOLI, Asti Spumante Dolce; SANT&ORSOLA, Asti Spumante Dolce; TERRENOSTRE, Moscato D’Asti; MALGRA’ Moscato D’Asti; BERA, Moscato D’Asti; SCAGLIOLA, Moscato D’Asti.

Mastroberardino (Italy) – Novaserra Greco di Tufo DOCG, Radici Taurasi DOCG, Fiano di Avellino DOCG.

Vinos de La Luz (Spain, Argentina, Ukraine) – Callejon del Crimen Red Blend Criminal 2021, Valpincia Crianza 2019, Big Wines Big Art 2020.

SHABO Family Winery (Ukraine) – SHABO Reserve Telti-Kuruk 2022, SHABO Limited Edition Saperavi-Merlot (by Kachetin technology) 2020.

Beykush Winery (Ukraine) – Telti Kuruk 2022.

Askaneli Winery (Georgia) – Gocha’s Collection. Muza Qvevri 2019, Gocha’s Collection. Saperavi Reserve 2018, Askaneli Brut. Methode traditionnalle.

‘Armenia Wine’ Winery and Vineyards (Armenia) – Tariri. Areni, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon; Takar. Areni; Yerevan 782. B.C. Areni, Karmrahyut.

The walk-round tasting of the Wine Travel Awards’ partners and nominees showcased wines of the highest quality from various countries of the wine world, and in particular, from Ukraine. 

By the way, sustainability was the key theme for the show: the show reported that “sustainability” was the third most searched category, after “country” and “region”, indicating that sustainable products were very high on the agenda for visitors.

Visitors searched for UK based companies more than any other (this incorporates both wineries and agents; four times more than the second most searched for country, Italy. This may indicate an increased reliance on importers since Brexit. Portugal came in at top three and Ukraine was the seventh most searched for country.  

In addition to the tasting as part of the Wine Travel Awards ceremony, Ukrainian producers under the Wines of Ukraine brand were presented at LWF for the second time. 

How the exhibition for Ukrainian winemakers was held, what feedback was received and with whom it was already possible to hold negotiations, D+ spoke with the organizers of the stand – Victoria Agromakova (CEO of Wine & Spirits Ukraine) and Svitlana Tsybak, head of the “Association of Craft Winemakers of Ukraine”, director at Beykush Winery.

According to the organizers, the visitors showed strong interest in the Wines of Ukraine stand. During the three days, it was visited by several hundred guests – buyers, importers, distributors, sommeliers and restaurateurs. It was also possible to establish contacts with traders from Iceland, Norway, Finland, France, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal and other countries.

Victoria Agromakova comments: “For many visitors, this was the first experience of tasting Ukrainian wines, and our wines did not leave anyone indifferent! The guests of the stand noted the high level of wines, their unique character, even in the varieties traditional for Europe, as well as the native Ukrainian grape varieties – Telti Kuruk, Sukholimansky White and Odesa Black impressed the visitors the most. The elegant sparkling, aromatic whites, rich and charismatic reds – this is how Ukrainian wines were characterized by professionals of the British market and guests from other countries. It is too early to talk about contracts, this process takes much longer, but we can definitely say that both large chains and independent retailers are waiting for Ukrainian wines on the shelves of Great Britain, and the interest of restaurants is especially huge! The interest in Ukraine was particularly noticeable at our master class, which was held by a well-known UK wine expert, writer, journalist and BBC presenter Joe Wadsak. Officially, the Wines of Ukraine master class was the most attended among all events within the framework of the exhibition!”.

Svitlana Tsybak shared her own experience on how to conquer the UK market: “UK importers and distributors were really interested in Ukrainian wine. Of course we have potential, but we need to work hard on our reputation to sell abroad. The UK market is quite complex, I lead a month-to-month job promoting our wines. No market works by itself, it is not enough to visit an exhibition and sit and wait for a truckload of wine to be bought, and then sold at a new market. You have to WORK.”

So let’s work together to popularize Ukrainian winemaking in the world, we are joining our efforts. And we remind you that on November 1 and 2, 2023, one of the most important B2B events, the Wine & Spirits Ukraine exhibition, will be held at the International Exhibition Center (IEC) in Kyiv, where traditionally there will be an opportunity to communicate with producers from Ukraine, as well as to taste wines and craft spirits.

See you in Ukraine!

London Wine Fair, official exhibition partner of Drinks+ and the Wine Travel Awards, reported an increasing interest in the international wine event this year. According to the official data of the London Wine Fair organizers, 2023 was the industry’s opportunity to get back to normal. Total (net) visitors were 10,091, a 14% increase compared to […]

The WTA Awarding Ceremony, where the winners of all 6 nominations of the Wine Travel Awards (WTA) 2022-2023 were officially revealed, took place traditionally at the London Wine Fair. However, due to the fact that we had many Georgian companies and prominent figures among the winners, we decided to continue our celebration in Georgia where WinExpo Georgia became our exhibition partner. 

WinExpo Georgia, a renowned wine industry exhibition with a consistent 15-year legacy, offers Georgian producers an exceptional platform to showcase their products to both domestic and global markets. Our main objective for the expo’s 2023 edition was to help visitors learn more about the dynamic and innovative WTA community, increase the number of its Georgian members and forge new partnerships and cooperation. 

The WTA celebration in honour of the winners of the second edition marked the afternoon of 2 June with a great atmosphere. The WTA winners from Georgia got extra attention and were awarded with trophies and diplomas.

Our VIP guests – wine, tourism and HoReCa professionals, journalists and bloggers – were welcomed with a glass of Shobili 2018, an exclusive qvevri sparkling wine made according to SHUMI’s patented technology. Shobili 2018 was awarded with a gold medal at The Qvevri Wine Hunter Award Georgia 2022. As a welcome wine from SHUMI Winery, WTA attendees could also have Tsinandali, a dry white wine of the Iberiuli premium collection.

Our sincerest congratulations to SHUMI Winery who was chosen the winner in three different categories of the Visiting card of the country nomination – Must visit, Progressive Approach, Art & History Object – by three independent WTA judges! Stéphane Badet, lecturer at ISVV – Institute of Vine and Wine Science at the University of Bordeaux, specializes in wine economy, industry management, business, marketing and tourism for many years, gave the victory to the SHUMI Winery in the Must Visit category. Gergely Szolnoki, Professor of Market Research at Geisenheim University, made his choice also in favour of the famous historical Georgian winery in the Progressive Approach category. SHUMI won the Art & History Object judged by Sarah Abbott MW, Founder of Swirl Wine Group, marketing strategist, communications specialist, wine judge and writer. Besides, SHUMI became an absolute record-holder in different categories as a public voting winner. 

Salome Lomsadze, Commercial Director at SHUMI Winery, received the award and noted how pleased the SHUMI’s team is that world-class wine tourism experts notice and recognize the long-term efforts of the winery’s team with high awards. Also, Salome explained why she appreciates the WTA project so much, because it is the epitome of modern international marketing, not just a “vanity fair”, but a “long-term play”, which today brings results to the nominees and all participants of the award.

We happily raised our glasses to such bright winners of the public vote from Georgia, awarding them with diplomas:

• Château Mukhrani – Must Visit category – a premier wine destination in Georgia committed to upholding the utmost standards in the production and delivery of all its products and services. It seamlessly merges the distinctiveness of Georgia with the finest international practices and expertise.
• Harvest Celebration at Chateau Mukhrani – Event of the Year.
• Gocha’s Collection – Askaneli Winery & Distillery – Brand – the Visiting Card of the Country.
• Askaneli Winery & Distillery – Progressive Approach – ranks within the top three wine production and vine farming companies. The company plays a significant role in safeguarding and promoting the cultivation of native grape varieties, thereby elevating the overall prestige of Georgian winemaking.
• WinExpo Georgia – Magnet of the Region.

Nino Gamrekeli, Creative Director at WinExpo Georgia, emphasized on how important common industry efforts are in promoting Georgia as an attractive enogastronomic destination. WinExpo Georgia’s role here is to become an international platform that contributes to this recognition. 

The Brightest Journey category features two proactive promoters of Georgian wines who entered top 5 during the public voting stage this year:

• Daria Kholodilina, a Georgia-based wine tourism specialist and a big friend of Georgian wine, who kindly agreed to help us hold the event at WineExpo with the translation into Georgian.  
• Sofia Nikabadze, a wine blogger who travels a lot around Georgia to discover some interesting small family cellars and introduce them to wine lovers. 

During the awarding part of the celebration, Sofia shared her observations regarding the growing international interest in the Georgian wine industry and the changes that small wineries in Georgia pursue:  

“Wine is a part of Georgian identity and culture, and it is, with rare exceptions, a kind of visiting card of Georgia for all visitors to Georgia. In recent years, the attitude towards Georgian wine has changed, more and more foreign experts, wine connoisseurs and consumers are interested in Georgian wine. The improvement of the quality of Georgian wine, the expansion of small wineries and the production of natural wine in Georgia, and at the same time the increased interest around the world, created a favorable ground for the development of wine tourism in Georgia as an independent tourist product. 

Worldwide, the wine tourism industry is becoming more and more popular. Georgia has a great potential for the development of this sector. Ever since we earned the name of the homeland of wine, the world’s attention has been drawn to us. Many wineries have been restored and are being restored, winemakers provide places at  family-hotels to their guests. More and more producers are thinking of creating a tourism product and not limiting themselves only to wine production. However, there is still much to be done in this direction.”

A holiday in Georgia lasts as long as you stay on this land. It is not surprising that the next day we went to Kakheti, Tsinandali, to celebrate International Sommelier Day at the beautiful SHUMI’s location. The invitation extended by the winery owners was warmly accepted by the managers of the Drinks+ media group, who assembled a remarkable team of experts. This exceptional group included renowned figures such as Robert Joseph, an esteemed WTA judge, celebrated wine writer, winemaker, and wine critic; Sofia Nikabadze, a well-known Georgian blogger and wine enthusiast; Yevgenia Nikolaychuk, a highly regarded Ukrainian wine expert and successful businesswoman; Galina Kochubeeva, the head of the representative office of the US Meat Export Federation; and Saba Kitiashvili, a prominent Georgian sommelier and the Chief Sommelier of SHUMI Winery. On International Sommelier Day, the journalists from D+ had the pleasure of celebrating alongside these exceptional professionals, while discovering the delights of sparkling wines and exploring the remarkable offerings of SHUMI Winery, including their impressive wine collection, museum of artifacts, and ampelographic collection, among others. It was a joyful moment that made us realize the remarkable world of wine tourism and the significant role played by the WTA community within it. We raise our glasses of sparkling qvevri in a toast to the magnificent world of wine!

Georgian exemplary wine tasting journey and festive buffet 

In the framework of the event, the WTA team organized a walk-around tasting of exemplary wines produced by our Georgian nominees and partners in a pairing with premium American beef (thanks to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), sponsor of the celebration). 

Galina Kochubeeva, representative of the U.S. Meat Export Federation in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Georgia, Ukraine and Mongolia, joined the event and briefly talked about the Federation’s activities devoted to promoting its premium products, supporting the most talented chefs and the most popular restaurants from different countries.

We invite you to hit the tasting road with us and discover those extraordinary wines! 

SHUMI Winery presented by Saba Kitiashvili, Chief Sommelier of SHUMI Winery

Khikhvi Qvevri Iberiuli 2019 – dry amber qvevri wine. 

Tasting characteristics: aromas of almonds, ripe pears, peaches and white cherries. Khikhvi Qvevri Iberiuli is medium-bodied and has a refreshing taste with pleasant acidity, velvety tannins and a long aftertaste. 

Award: Platinum Medal at The Qvevri Wine Hunter Award Georgia 2022.

Salome 2020 – a limited edition dry red wine.

Wine style: elegant, complex, aged in oak. Tasting characteristics: The aroma intertwines subtle notes of violet, spices, a complex bouquet of ripe cherries and light cigars. The taste is smooth and velvety with a long aftertaste.

Awards: ‘Best of Show by Country’ trophy at the LWC London Wine Competition 2023; Gold medal at the Sakura Japan Women’s Wine Award 2023.

Bio Saperavi Iberiuli 2020 – dry organic red wine. 

Tasting characteristics: Dark pomegranate wine is characterized by aromas of ripe cherries, blackberries, prunes and chocolate, with light tones of vanilla, tobacco and cloves. It is full bodied. It has a harmonious, intense, perfectly balanced taste, rich in velvety tannins, with a long aftertaste.

Awards: Georgian Red Trophy at the International Wine Challenge 2023; Gold medals at the Berliner Wein Trophy 2022 and the MUNDUS VINI grand international wine award spring tasting 2022.

Zigu 2019 – an exclusive drink made from more than 300 rare grape varieties harvested in the SHUMI collection vineyard and prepared using SHUMI’s patented technology. 

Vinification: During the fermentation in conical stainless steel tanks, extreme attention was given to an extraction aimed at fresh and fragrant aromas, full colors, and supple, elegant textures and tannins. Once the wine had run off its skins at the end of the fermentation, it was put through a full malolactic fermentation in oak barrels to fully bring out the finesse and expressiveness of the aromas. The aging process, which lasted approximately 12-14 months, then began and took place in 60 gallon French and Hungarian oak barrels, partly new and partly used once previously.

Awards: Gold medals at the MUNDUS VINI grand international wine award summer tasting 2022 and the China Wine & Spirit Awards 2021.

Château Mukhrani introduced by Giorgi Chikvaidze, brand ambassador

Collection Secret dry white 2019

Blend: Rkatsiteli 46 %, Chardonnay 33 %, Sauvignon Blanc 12 %, Goruli Mtsvane 7 %, Muscat 2 %.

Tasting characteristics: Crafted from prestigious Georgian and French grape varieties. The wine with unique taste and aromatic profile alongside perfect balance and long memorable aftertaste. Significant for Château Mukhrani wines.

Chef’s recommendation: Chicken breast in mandarin sauce. Best enjoyed with salads, seafood, and poultry. Excellent with salmon with fresh grapes and a delicate wine sauce.

Collection Secret dry red 2018

Blend: Saperavi 50 %, Cabernet Sauvignon 25 %, Syrah 17 %, Petit Verdot 8 %.

Color: Dark ruby red.

Bouquet: Fragrant intense and deep fruit bouquet of blackberry, black currant and mullberry, paired with fine sweet spices, vanilla, chocolate, black pepper, dried herbs, tobacco and earthy notes.

Taste: Elegant and complex structure. Dense Palate of jammy dark fruit, chocolate, spice, herbal and earthy notes. Well balanced oaky notes with full bodied medium palate and very long fresh fruity finish. 

Chef’s recommendation: Pork tenderloin in mustard sauce. Best enjoyed with lamb or wild mushrooms, cooked with spices.

Shavkapito dry red 2020

Shavkapito 100%. Shavkapito is one of the oldest and rarest Georgian endemic red-grape varieties from the Kartli region. It has great potential to create subtle and elegant red wines with its distinguished style and perfect balance.

Chef’s recommendation: Steak made with dry-aged beef. Best enjoyed with red meat or game, fried, grilled or stewed with spices. Excellent with mature cheeses of different styles.

Tavkveri dry red 2017

Blend: Tavkveri 90% and Saperavi 10%. Tavkveri is one of the oldest and rarest Georgian endemic red-grape varieties from the Kartli region. It creates powerful and at the same time subtle and elegant red wines with its distinguished style.

Color: deep red.

Bouquet: Very floral bouquet, with licorice and black currant notes. Spicy and fresh acidity.

Taste: Fresh attack with nice pressure on tannins, chocolate, floral and spicy notes on dark fruits. Medium bodied and fresh finish on crispy tannins.

Chef’s recommendation: Dorado and ham. Best enjoyed with red meat and mature cheeses of different styles.

Réserve Royale Saperavi 2015

Saperavi 100%. Saperavi is the most famous Georgian endemic red-grape variety. It has all the noble characteristics to make one of the world’s outstanding red wines. It delivers rich, fruity wines of bountiful body and great vinosity.

Color: Brilliant Dark red

Bouquet: Intense and concentrated flavors of dark fruits behind fresh oaky notes. Wild fruits. Cassis, black berry, black pepper, spicy, velvety balsamic notes.

Taste: Very elegant attack on dark blackberry. Black chocolate. Black pepper. Full-bodied and long balsamic finish on fine tannins and minerality

Chef’s recommendation: Beef filet with demi-glace sauce. Best enjoyed with red meat or game, fried, grilled, or stewed. Excellent with mature cheeses of different styles.

GWS – Georgian Cradle of Wine

Vismino Bio Mtsvane from Maghraani vineyard

Type of Wine: White Dry
Color: Pale, with a bright rim.
Characteristics:
Nose: Intense. Ripe white fruit and tropical fruit tones.
Palate: Mild with balanced acidity, providing freshness. Hints of citrus fruit.
Food Pairing: Smoked fish, mixed salads, chicken with herbs.
 

Vismino Ojaleshi from Martvili vineyard

Type of Wine: Red Dry

The name “vismino” means “I should be listening.” It perfectly transmits the essence of the brand, and invites all attentive “listeners”, observers, learners, experimenters to fully enjoy life’s experiences.
Color: Ruby colored with.
Characteristics:
Nose: Cherry, currant and blackberry aromas.
Palate: Velvety, harmonious and rich varietal aromas, characterized by light acidity.
The flavours are powerful and lingering, carried by the tannins to the finish.
Food Pairing: Serve with poultry, grilled salmon, pasta and cheese.

Vismino Saperavi Cabernet Franc from Artana vineyard 

Type of Wine: Red Dry

Color: Dark ruby color
Specifications:
Nose: distinct aromas of black mulberry, cherry and black currant, with velvety tannins and balanced acidity.
Palate: Fruit and spice aromas blend harmoniously with the delicate tones of aging in oak. Distinguished by long and pleasant endings.
Food Pairing: Perfect with grilled steak, mushrooms, chicken and fish.

Vismino Kindzmarauli

Type of Wine: Red Semi-Sweet
Color: Dark ruby
Characteristics:
Nose: Intense aromas of wild berries and other red fruit.
Palate: The balance and complexity of this wine is created by the combination between rich flavours and the tannic structure. Integrated acidity adds pleasant freshness to the wine.
Food Pairing: Lightly spiced dishes with meat or vegetables.

Colors of Georgia Akura 2016

Colours of Georgia is a rare collection of iconic wines produced from carefully selected parcels and crafted with the utmost care. Within them lies the quintessence of Georgia, the cradle of wine, and 3 remarkable terroirs of the Kakheti region.

This wine comes from an exceptional plot located at an altitude of 650 metres, facing East on a slightly sloping, pebble-strewn terrain over a two-metre-thick limestone subsoil.

Tasting notes: The nose offers enticing aromas of red and black fruits, blackberries and black plums, with elegant spices and soft, balanced notes from the barrel ageing. The palate is particularly full-bodied yet lacks any heaviness or bitterness. The mid-palate reveals a perfectly controlled tannic concentration and a beautiful expression of ripe fruit followed by a long finish. High cellaring potential (over 15 years).

The WTA Celebration and Walk-Around Tasting at WinExpo Georgia has been informationally supported by the Georgian Sommelier Association, Homeland of Wine magazine and Swirl Wine Group. 

Our sincerest congratulations and the good wishes of future growth and prosperity to the WTA 2022-2023 winners!

We are inviting progressive wine & spirits companies, brands and tourism services to join the third exciting year of the WTA campaign! The doors of the Wine Travel Awards 2023-2024 are open for new collaborations and integrations. 

Photo: Pavel Platonov 

The WTA Awarding Ceremony, where the winners of all 6 nominations of the Wine Travel Awards (WTA) 2022-2023 were officially revealed, took place traditionally at the London Wine Fair. However, due to the fact that we had many Georgian companies and prominent figures among the winners, we decided to continue our celebration in Georgia where […]

Wine Travel Awards Celebration ceremony in honour of the winners of WTA’s second edition, accompanied by a Walk-Around wine tasting, will take place during WinExpo Georgia, one of the region’s biggest and most important international wine events.

The event will be hosted by WTA’s lead Oleksandra Hryhorieva and WTA nominee from Georgia, Daria Kholodilina a.k.a. Dariko Mogzauri. They will introduce our dear guests to the WTA concept, and after a brief presentation guests will have an opportunity to get to know WTA community members from Georgia and taste their exemplary wines in a pairing with premium American beef.

Sofia Nikabadze, the public voting winner in ‘The brightest journey’, will talk about the growing international interest in the Georgian wine industry and the changes that small wineries in Georgia pursue.

SHUMI Winery, the winner in the Visiting card of the country / Must visit, Progressive Approach, Art & History Object categories, will present their wines, as well as a unique alcoholic beverage, Zigu. GWS, another significant winemaking company from Georgia, will also introduce their wine collection to the guests of the tasting, while Chateau Mukhrani, the WTA public voting winner and one of the best wineries of Georgia, will impress our guests with their premium wines. More details about the wines in the tasting will come later, and we will certainly share them with our readers.

The WTA team will be glad to welcome wine, tourism and HoReCa professionals, journalists and bloggers to the Wine Travel Awards celebration and tasting. The WTA, an innovative global project in the field of wine tourism, will shed light on the winners of the 2022-2023 edition in the following nominations: The Visiting Card of the Country, Ambassador, Wine & Food Influencer, Education in Enotourism, Wine Guide, Enogastronomic Events. Wine Travel Awards is more than just a rating: it’s a unique and interactive platform for promoting wine tourism and wine culture, as well as for networking, bringing together wine tourism professionals around the world.

We believe that tourism is an opportunity for wine and wine is an opportunity for tourism! And we are very happy that our celebration ceremony will be hosted by Georgia, the cradle of winemaking, and the famous land of wine and hospitality!

When: Friday, June 2, 2023, 16:00 PM

Where: WinExpo Georgia, Exhibition Center ExpoGeorgia, pavilion 11, 118 Akaki Tsereteli Ave., Tbilisi, Georgia.

Wine Travel Awards Celebration ceremony in honour of the winners of WTA’s second edition, accompanied by a Walk-Around wine tasting, will take place during WinExpo Georgia, one of the region’s biggest and most important international wine events. The event will be hosted by WTA’s lead Oleksandra Hryhorieva and WTA nominee from Georgia, Daria Kholodilina a.k.a. […]

Corks are popping out of the bottles. Bubbles are dancing in the glasses. The Consorzio dell’Asti DOCG are welcoming guests of the Wine Travel Awards official Ceremony at the London Wine Fair. 

Holding the WTA Awarding Ceremony in London became symbolic and some kind of a tradition. Last year, a new innovative WTA project debuted at the LWF – and it was literally preceded by a celebration of the Platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth marking 70 years as Monarch. This year, the WTA team was holding the awards’ ceremony again in London – and recently, King Charles III was formally crowned at Westminster Abbey. We believe London sends us a good sign. 

Wednesday 17th of May, 10.30 am marked another special milestone of the WTA project. The new and prosperous names of businesses and personalities operating in the wine tourism industry were revealed in all 6 nominations, naming the Visiting Card of the Country, Ambassador, Wine & Food Influencer, Education in Enotourism, Wine Guide, Enogastronomic Events. This reflects the result of a two-stage selection process: public voting in March and expert opinion of the WTA Jury Committee in April. 

At the beginning of the sublime awarding ceremony, Sarah Abbott, MW, WTA Judge, Founder of Swirl Wine Group, marketing strategist, communications specialist, wine judge and writer, underlined the importance of the WTA initiative in today’s very diverse wine and tourism world: “Wine is a cultural journey, as well as a physical journey. Everything that we’ve experienced in recent years showed us how important it is that individual cultures can thrive and be respected, nurtured and enjoyed among as wide a community as possible. And I think those shortlisted candidates that really stood out were the ones that were fully embracing every aspect of the potential journey of wine… the viticulture, the heritage and its expression, contemporary times that lead to society and community, as well as creation of experiences where people have so much fun that they do not necessarily realize that they have been taken into this journey, culture and intellect.”

Georgia, Ukraine, France, Armenia, Moldova, Netherlands, Greece, Germany, India and UK replenished the community of WTA winners in the 2022-2023 campaign year. In total, around 300 community members coming from 30 different countries, including Austria, Nigeria, Italy and many others, participated in WTA second edition. As a result, we have 80 public voting winners and 16 final WTA winners. All of them are invited to an online master class held by Gergely Szolnoki, WTA Jury, Professor of Market Research at Geisenheim University, and to a webinar led by Romané Basset, Co-Founding Trustee of the Gérard Basset Foundation.

Considering education as an important part of our initiative and wine tourism as a whole, we have engaged with Prize Fund sponsors in order to provide a wide range of educational opportunities and experiences for the WTA 2022-2023 winners. The Château Smith Haut Lafitte, a cult place for Bordeaux wine culture which was even chosen by King Charles III for his official visit to France, invites 10 WTA winners to a Private tour and tasting of SHL and its Land Art Forest of the 5 senses. Mastroberardino, one of the oldest producers of South Italy, invites all 16 final winners to a winery tour and wine tasting in Atripalda, Avellino. The Consorzio dell’ASTI DOCG, WTA Nominees’ Sponsor and Sponsor of Welcome Drink at the WTA Ceremony, organizes an exclusive online master class and wine tasting from ASTI DOCG for WTA winners from Germany and France. Finally, the London Wine Fair is delighted to provide two free tickets to LWF 2024 and guaranteed participation in 2 masterclasses of the winners’ choice.

For the second consecutive year, Wine & Food Influencer nomination has been supported by the international wine group Vinos de La Luz, which created for journalists, bloggers, and influencers the opportunity to join the awards completely for free. This year, the nomination got new professions on the list: actors and actresses passionate about wine, TV hosts, bartenders, photographers, podcasts, sommeliers and many more. 

Dr. Ricardo F. Nunez, founder and owner of Vinos de La Luz, emphasized on the Ukrainian roots of the project during the ceremony: “Last year, we were here in London two months after the invasion of Ukraine. The company who is organizing this award is also Ukrainian. They worked hard to organize this fantastic contest. And we are very proud that one team like the WTA is fighting outside of the country to put in front the identity of Ukraine.” Besides, Dr. Ricardo F. Nunez mentioned that the selection of the best among many nominees requires not only lots of time but also “to go inside the work that each and every made in their career”.

According to the Vinos de La Luz prize conditions, the WTA winner in the Wine & Food Influencer nomination, who gets the highest points from the panel of judges, receives 1000 euros. Professor Marianna Sigala, the winner of ‘Author of the Year’ was ranked first with 47 points receiving 1000 euros from Vinos de La Luz. Two other winners of the nomination determined by the jury – Gergely Szolnoki, the winner of ‘Expert Opinion’ (45 points) and Rojita Tiwari, winner of ‘The Brightest Journey’ (40 points) – receive 500 euros each.

In addition to the sponsorship of the prize fund, this year was distinguished by a very honorable collaboration with the Gérard Basset Foundation. Thanks to the personal consent of Nina and Romané Basset, Artyom Mkrtchyan, WTA winner in the Ambassador Nomination, a sommelier and proactive wine professional from Armenia, was awarded with the Gérard Basset Prize “Ambassador of the Year” receiving 1000 euros for his educational purposes. 

The WTA Ceremony was followed by the walk-around tasting where guests had an opportunity to get to know WTA community members and taste their wines:

• ASTI DOCG (Italy)
• Mastroberardino (Italy)
• Vinos de La Luz (Spain, Argentina, Ukraine)
• SHABO Family Winery (Ukraine)
• Beykush Winery (Ukraine)
• Askaneli Winery (Georgia)
• ‘Armenia Wine’ Winery and Vineyards (Armenia)

What fantastic memories we made during the second edition to cherish forever! Our greetings and the good wishes of future growth and prosperity to the WTA 2022-2023 winners! 

We will continue the celebration in honor of the WTA winners and second successful project year in June. The next stop is WinExpo Georgia – Friday 2nd of June at 16:00 PM, in the main pavilion of WinExpo Georgia, Business Forum area.

Corks are popping out of the bottles. Bubbles are dancing in the glasses. The Consorzio dell’Asti DOCG are welcoming guests of the Wine Travel Awards official Ceremony at the London Wine Fair.  Holding the WTA Awarding Ceremony in London became symbolic and some kind of a tradition. Last year, a new innovative WTA project debuted […]