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Gastronomy and Wine Portal

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29

Don’t miss the Wine Travel Awards Ceremony 2023–2024!

Prepare for an exceptional event at the forthcoming Wine Travel Awards Ceremony! Scheduled for May 21st at Olympia, London, immediately following the London Open announcement, the ceremony will commence promptly at 10:30 and conclude at 12:30. 

In 2024, the fruitful collaboration between Wine Travel Awards & Drinks+ with the London Wine Fair successfully continues. And this year, we are excited to announce that we are once again inviting guests to London — to visit the main WTA event!

Save the Date!

  • May 21, 10:30 am — 12:30 pm
  • Olympia, London (Hammersmith Rd, London W14 8UX).

We cordially invite sponsors and participants to attend this prestigious event.

The Wine Travel Awards Ceremony will serve as the culmination of the 2023 — 2024 campaign, where the victors of both the public vote and the professional jury will be revealed. The agenda will feature:

  • A keynote address on Wine Tourism: Benefits and Challenges by Robert Joseph, a respected member of the WTA jury, distinguished author in the domain of wine and wine tourism, and a pioneering figure in the wine industry;
  • An official presentations of WTA Sponsors and Partners;
  • The announcement of WTA winners and noteworthy achievements;
  • The presentation of trophies and awards;
  • A sophisticated tasting session featuring wines from esteemed members of the WTA community.

Wine Travel Awards Ceremony 2023–2024

This year’s unique gifts include certificates for a new book by Robert Joseph — Wine Thinking — for each winner.  Moreover, the winner of the Wine Travel Awards in the Ambassador of the Year category, who will be traditionally awarded the Gerard Basset Prize with the support of the Gérard Basset Foundation, will receive a book of memoirs by this incredible man. This copy will be signed by the wife of the famous sommelier — Mrs. Nina Basset, who is a member of the Wine Travel Awards jury, Vice President of the Academy of Sommeliers of Great Britain, ASI General Secretary and co-founder and chairman of the Gérard Basset Foundation.

Interested in participating in this year’s WTA Ceremony in London? Please use the provided form to contact us. 

Alternatively, you can reach us directly via:

  • Telephone: +38067 4474578 (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber)
  • Email: winetravelawards@gmail.com

Prepare for an exceptional event at the forthcoming Wine Travel Awards Ceremony! Scheduled for May 21st at Olympia, London, immediately following the London Open announcement, the ceremony will commence promptly at 10:30 and conclude at 12:30.  In 2024, the fruitful collaboration between Wine Travel Awards & Drinks+ with the London Wine Fair successfully continues. And […]

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19

RO Wine-International Wine Festival of Romania will take place at Cluj-Napoca (Romania) this week end

This weekend, the highly anticipated Transylvanian edition of RO-Wine will be held at Chios Lounge, nestled in the Simion Barnutiu Park in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Marinela Ardelean – WTA Public Voting Winner 2023-2024 in Ambassador of the Year, Expert Opinion, The Brightest Journey categories and the organizer of RO-Wine Festival comments:

«Excited to announce the Cluj edition of RO Wine-International Wine Festival of Romania happening this weekend, Saturday and Sunday! With over 50 wineries from 10 different countries, we’re bringing you a top selection and remarkable diversity. Whether you’re a fan of exceptional reds, whites, or rosés, join me on April 20th and 21st at CHIOS Social Lounge in Cluj for the first edition of this year’s festival. Promoting Romanian wine means promoting Romania itself, and these two brands should support each other. Let’s showcase our indigenous grape varieties and share the rich cultural heritage of our country through wine. See you there!»

Marinela Ardelean

RO-Wine | The International Wine Festival of Romania – it is the nominee of 2023-2024 WTA editions at Enogastronomic Events/Event of the Year. This is the only festival dedicated to premium and super premium wines. Every year the festival acquaints its visitors with wineries of Romania, Europe and other wine-growing regions of the world. Local and international restaurant owners and chefs, restaurant and bar managers, importers, retailers and distribution companies bring their iconic gourmet products to give the diners the opportunity to create unique wine pairings. A special area hosts cooking classes and other special events.

And we remind you about an exceptional event at the forthcoming Wine Travel Awards Ceremony! Scheduled for May 21st at Olympia, London, immediately following the London Open announcement, the ceremony will commence promptly at 10:30 and conclude at 12:30. 

Save the Date!

May 21, 10:30 am — 12:30 pm

Olympia, London (Hammersmith Rd, London W14 8UX)

Cheers!

This weekend, the highly anticipated Transylvanian edition of RO-Wine will be held at Chios Lounge, nestled in the Simion Barnutiu Park in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Marinela Ardelean – WTA Public Voting Winner 2023-2024 in Ambassador of the Year, Expert Opinion, The Brightest Journey categories and the organizer of RO-Wine Festival comments: «Excited to announce the Cluj […]

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19

Judgement Day comes to London

Under such an intriguing headline, an equally intriguing event is announced as part of the London Wine Fair 2024: a remake of the famous tasting once organized by Steven Spurrier called Judgment of Paris. This year Drinks+ is the official media partner of this grand event along with the world’s top wine media industry. On May 21, another sensation may happen — and we will find out whether the picture of the wine world will be changed again.

Let’s recall that the so-called Paris Wine Tasting, also known as The Judgment of Paris, took place on May 24, 1976, on the initiative of Steven Spurrier, a British wine merchant, later — a publisher and one of the most authoritative experts in the wine world, and his American colleague Patricia Gallagher. The vast majority of the jury members were French oenophiles.

The wines were tasted on a 20-point scale in two blind tasting comparisons: one was devoted to white wines — American (California) and French (Burgundy) high-quality chardonnays, and the second consisted of red wines (cabernet sauvignons from Bordeaux and California). As a result, Napa County wine was recognized as the best in each category, which was a sensation, because France was considered the leading producer of the best wines in the world.

The Judgment of London

Until the early 1970s, the quality of some California wines was outstanding, but few people paid attention to it, as the market traditionally favored French brands. By the way, according to historical sources, at that time Spurrier himself was selling mostly French wine and was not sure that California wines would win. Moreover, the revolution he led brought its leader, in addition to fame, a lot of trouble — after all, his business was located in Paris, which since 1976 has turned into a raging hive. Frightened and furious, the leaders of the French wine industry banned Spurrier from participating in the prestigious national wine tasting tour for a year, apparently as punishment for the damage his tasting had done to the former image of Bordeaux wines.

The Judgment of London3

There was a fierce debate over the score for a long time, with one judge even withdrawing her ballot. Until, 20 months later, the same wines were re-tasted in San Francisco in 1978. Stephen Spurrier flew in from Paris to take part in this evaluation. The result: American samples took the first three places for white and red wines. Subsequently, two more tastings were held by the French Culinary Institute (now the International Culinary Center) on the tenth anniversary of the Paris Tasting. However, the chardonnays of those years that participated in 1976 were not evaluated, as they had already passed their prime by that time.

The Judgment of London3

Stephen Spurrier provided advisory and organizational support for this anniversary tasting. The panel of judges consisted of 8 judges, and in the dry balance, the first two places were taken by the Americans, the third was won by Château Montrose 1970. Another attempt at revenge by France took place on May 24, 2006, on the 30th anniversary of The Judgment of Paris. It was again organized by Stephen Spurrier and took place on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean: at the Copia Museum in Napa, California, and in London at Berry Bros. & Rudd, the office of the oldest British company specializing in the wine trade.

As the Times newspaper reported (by the way, the only media present at the Paris tasting — but more on that below), despite the fact that French tasters, many of whom had participated in the original tasting, expected the American winemakers to collapse, they had to admit that the harmony of the California Cabernets had won them over again. The victory was impressive — this time, the top five places were taken by California Cabernets, and only the highest-rated Bordeaux, Château Mouton-Rothschild 1970, managed to climb to sixth place. Thus, the 2006 tasting tandem finally changed the wine world.

Стивен Спурье

…Almost half a century has passed since The Judgment of Paris. London decided to take over the baton and hold an updated version of this iconic tasting for the wine world, but at a modern level. Hannah Tovey, Director of the London Wine Fair, raised the curtain on the spectacle that we are looking forward to: London is the historic center of the international wine trade. And as one of the most diverse markets, it is a fitting venue for the highly anticipated The Judgment of London. The tasting is to honor the best wine. We will get an assessment of the situation and the criteria for how great a fine wine can be. We are proud to have decided to organize such a large-scale event at the London Wine Fair.

The Judgment of London

This tasting is intended to pay tribute to the late Stephen Spurrier and the revolution in the wine world that he organized in Paris. The Judgement of London version will be updated to reflect the range and maturity of the modern fine wine market. Whereas the original tasting compared current Bordeaux and Burgundy wines to their California counterparts, the 2024 version will feature a broader inclusion of well-known European wines and equivalents from the rest of the world. Of course, a more realistic comparative analysis is also expected than almost half a century ago.

Ronan Sayburn MS, CEO of The Court of Master Sommeliers, has been selected as the curator of the London event, who will work in tandem with Sarah Abbott MW, MD of Swirl Wine Group, IWSC Committee Judge. In total, the tasting panel will consist of around 20 judges with the most discerning palates — the cream of the British wine industry, including leading buyers, top sommeliers and respected wine writers. The wines will be tasted in pairs: one European sample and one analog from other parts of the world. The analogues will be determined according to the grape variety, style and texture, and the selected producers will have to submit the best vintage in the range of 5-15 years for the tasting. Eight pairs of white wines will be tasted in the morning on May 20, and eight pairs of red wines in the afternoon. All wines will be decanted and served in Jancis Robinson X Richard Brendon glasses, and the condition of each wine will be pre-checked by Sarah Abbott and Ronan Sayburn. The wines will be scored on a 10-point scale. The scoring system includes eight key findings, all of which will be announced on center stage the following day. Although the London Judgment may not give a final determination of who is the best, the results will provide a certain reflection of the wine world. The tasting in London will show what has changed in the almost 50 years since the Parisian Revolution of 1976. Thus, it will be timely. It is not so much a competition as a direct comparison designed to show how exceptional wine can be.

Дженсіс Робінсон

Ms. Jancis Robinson OBE MW, who will be one of the judges in London, and who, incidentally, is the only judge to have also participated in the British tasting panel for the 30th anniversary of The Judgment of Paris, commented: I’m looking forward to serving on the tasting panel for the carefully crafted Judgement of London tasting — a fitting tribute to the late Stephen Spurrier, whose London flat was so close to the Olympia, where we will be blind tasting some of the world’s finest wines to celebrate the progress made since his 1976 Paris tasting. What better glass for this exercise than mine — a high-quality glass carefully designed to bring out the character of any wine! I am pleased to see that today the Jancis Robinson wine glass is increasingly being rented from Sensible Wine Services for professional tastings.

Sarah Abbott MW commented: I am honored to be working with such a great team on this important tasting. Stephen Spurrier’s lesson that great wine belongs to the whole world is as important and timely now as it was during that iconoclastic tasting many years ago.

Steven Spurrier

Ronan Saburn MS also shared his thoughts: The original Judgment of Paris tasting was a classic triumph of the underdog over the establishment and opened the door to recognition of the new California wine industry. At the London Court, we will not be looking for a clear winner per se, but rather to celebrate how far wine from around the world has come in quality and recognition since 1976.

The Judgment of London will take place on Monday, May 20, with the results announced on center stage on Tuesday, May 21, at 16:45. The London Judgment is supported by the Academie du Vin Library, a publishing house founded by Spurrier in 2019. This institution is kindly providing a copy of Mr. Spurrier’s memoirs for each member of the tasting group.

 London Wine Fair will be held at Olympia from May 20 to 22.

Visitor registration is now open: www.londonwinefair.com

Instagram: @london_wine_fair

Twitter (X): @londonwinefair

For more information, please contact Ms. Sally Bishop: sally@relish-pr.co.uk

Reports from the event will be published on the resources of the Drinks+ media group and other official partners — London Wine Fair. This pool of reputable publications is another fundamental difference of the London event. After all, despite the fact that Spurrier invited many reporters to the sacramental tasting in 1976, the only reporter present was George M. Taber of The Times, who published the results to the world. For obvious reasons, the tasting was not covered by the French press, which almost ignored the story. 50 years later, a large-scale information campaign by the international media is planned. So keep an eye on our actions!

By the way, we would like to remind you that the WTA Ceremony will take place on May 21, a few hours after the announcement of the sensational results of the London Open, at the Olympia. The award ceremony will last from 10.30 to 12.30.

The Wine Travel Awards Ceremony will summarize the results of the 2023 — 2024 campaign, where the winners of both the public vote and the professional jury will be determined. The program includes:

  • A speech Wine Tourism: Benefits and Challenges by Robert Joseph, WTA jury member, prominent author in the world of wine and wine tourism, pioneering wine expert, wine creator and industry innovator;
  • A presentation of WTA Sponsors and Partners;
  • The announcement of WTA winners and discoveries;
  • A walk-around tasting of wines by members of the WTA community.

Under such an intriguing headline, an equally intriguing event is announced as part of the London Wine Fair 2024: a remake of the famous tasting once organized by Steven Spurrier called Judgment of Paris. This year Drinks+ is the official media partner of this grand event along with the world’s top wine media industry. On May 21, another sensation […]

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16

113th edition of Tastevinage to recognize the excellence of Burgundy wines

For the first time in the 2024 season, the selection committee of passionate experts reunites to evaluate and select the most worthy examples of Burgundy wines. Oleksandra Hryhorieva, Drinks+ correspondent in this famous French wine region, joined the committee to contribute to Tastevinage’s mission.

March proved to be an eventful month at the Château du Clos de Vougeot, where the Vente des vins des Hospices de Nuits, Tastevinage and Grands Jours de Bourgogne took place with a superb tasting dedicated to the Vosne-Romanée and Vougeot appellations.

On March 15, the headquarters of Burgundy wine professionals and enthusiasts opened its doors to winemakers, traders, négociants, sommeliers and journalists to gain their expertise during the 113th edition of Tastevinage. The cultural map of the Burgundy competition went beyond the borders of France: representatives of Italy, Belgium, England, the USA, Ukraine and Asia united around one mission – to select the most excellent wine examples nominated for Tastevinage.

Tastevinage

Xavier Thuizat, Best Sommelier of France and Meilleur Ouvrier de France in the sommelier category in 2022, headed the commission of Tastevinage tasters. In his welcoming speech, Xavier emphasized that Burgundy wines remain the most popular and best-selling wines in European restaurants. This is truly the most renowned wine region in the world and a contest like this helps keep the bar high.

Tastevinage

During this spring session, a total of 527 Burgundy wines were showcased. Out of this selection, only 170 were awarded the prestigious Tastevinage label, representing 32% of the wines presented. These included 58 regional appellations, 64 village appellations, and 48 Premier Cru and Grand Cru appellations that impressed the discerning palates of the jury-tasters in attendance. The full list of recognized wines can be found on the official website.

At my table there was a wonderful selection of Chablis wines, consisting of 2 regional, 2 premier cru and 2 grand cru appellations. Tasted blind, one of the 2022 Chablis Grand Cru wines was a fine representation of the terroir. The light golden green color catches the eye. The nose is welcoming and pronounced, with notes of ripe citrus and green fruits. Fresh, with pleasant minerality (flint) and aromas of flowers and almonds. This wine has its own charm. Full-bodied, well balanced, with great aging potential.

The 114th edition of Tastevinage is scheduled for September 6, 2024. Drinks+ will traditionally share with you the progress of the events and the results. Cheers!

For the first time in the 2024 season, the selection committee of passionate experts reunites to evaluate and select the most worthy examples of Burgundy wines. Oleksandra Hryhorieva, Drinks+ correspondent in this famous French wine region, joined the committee to contribute to Tastevinage’s mission. March proved to be an eventful month at the Château du […]

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13

Introducing groundbreaking research on innovations and trends in wine tourism, presented for the first time at ProWein 2024

The event of the Wine Travel Awards Team as a part of ProWein 2024 in Düsseldorf “Tasting Around the Sustainable World” garnered a significant audience due to its intriguing theme of exploring.

The event was graced by the presence of an esteemed speaker, Prof. Dr. Prof. h.c. Gergely Szolnoki from Geisenheim University, who also happens to be a member of the WTA jury. Mr Szolnoki shared his invaluable insights and practical recommendations based on a comprehensive study of over 1,500 wineries across 42 countries, making the event a truly exclusive experience.

Gergely

The event was a resounding success and sold-out. The anticipation was not only due to the informative presentation but also the wine tasting session that followed. The WTA award team had curated an impressive line-up of participants, each representing some of the finest gems from the world of wine.

ProWein 2024

But now, let’s delve into the theoretical aperitif that was served at the event and to all of these unique data which the professor provided us as a part of its huge research for the publication.

So according to Prof. Dr. Prof. h.c. Gergely Szolnoki Wine tourism is a significant contributor to the global economy, generating an annual revenue of €5 billion and providing employment for approximately 71,000 people.

Gergely Szolnoki

The first and main part is Adaptation strategies & initiatives after the Covid, so the part of the survey was conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the industry. The survey consisted of in-depth interviews with 70 wineries from around the world, including both well-established and emerging wine regions. The wineries were selected from the United States and Australia, representing the New World, and from Germany, Hungary, and Romania, representing the Old World.

ProWein 2024

The survey aimed to gather insights into the current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the wine tourism industry, as well as to identify best practices and areas for improvement. By analyzing the data collected from the interviews, valuable conclusions were drawn, which can help shape the future of wine tourism and support its sustainable growth.

Emerging wine tourism trends shaping its future.

And the wine tourism industry is evolving, with several emerging trends shaping its future: Firstly, there is a growing trend towards individualized experiences, moving away from mass tourism. Travelers are seeking unique and personalized experiences that cater to their specific interests and preferences. Secondly, there is an increasing focus on exploring the local region and its culture. Wine tourism is no longer just about tasting wine but also about discovering the local cuisine, history, and traditions. Thirdly, digitalization is playing an increasingly important role in wine tourism. Travelers are using technology to plan their trips, connect with wineries, and share their experiences on social media.

Gergely Szolnoki

Finally, sustainability is becoming a key consideration in wine tourism. Travelers are looking for environmentally friendly and socially responsible experiences that support the local economy and community. Wineries are also adopting sustainable practices in response to growing consumer demand and to ensure the long-term viability of their businesses.

The key findings regarding the role of sustainability in wine tourism.

The survey revealed several key findings regarding the role of sustainability in wine tourism.

  • Sustainability is of critical importance to wineries, with many incorporating sustainable practices into their operations.
  • Wineries have varying perspectives on the overlap between sustainable wine production and sustainable wine tourism. However, the overall overlap appears to be relatively small.
  • The survey found that wineries place slightly more importance on the environmental dimension of sustainability compared to the economic and social aspects.
  • The most important measures that wineries plan to implement include careful energy use, developing a long-term company strategy, and collaborating with regional companies and actors.

The survey revealed that 62% of wineries believe that sustainable practices in wine tourism are currently essential for visitors. However, this number is expected to rise significantly in the next five years, with 87% of wineries predicting that sustainable practices will become much more important to visitors.

Gergely Szolnoki

93% of surveyed wineries emphasized the importance of sustainability in wine tourism, with Chile rating it the highest at 4.8 out of 5, surpassing Germany and Hungary by a significant margin.

Respondents highlighted the environment as the foremost pillar of sustainable wine tourism, with 40% of responses. The social and economic pillars were rated similarly, each receiving 29% and 31% of responses, respectively.

Drivers and barriers to sustainable wine tourism. As well as important pillars.

According to the survey, the primary drivers for sustainable wine tourism include building trust and reputation (57%), enhancing visitor satisfaction (55%), and contributing to a better world (55%).

Meanwhile, the main barriers to sustainable wine tourism are cited as a lack of financial resources (48%), insufficient human resources (35%), and inadequate infrastructure (35%).

In sustainable wine tourism, the three pillars hold varying degrees of importance: the environmental aspect ranks highest at 40%, followed by the economic pillar at 31%, and the social dimension at 29%.

Gergely Szolnoki

Visitors & wine tourism.

Visitor perception of sustainable wine tourism practices is a crucial factor in the success of sustainable initiatives in the wine tourism industry. According the survey, visitors’ attitudes towards sustainable wine tourism have been shifting towards greater importance.

Currently, 62% of visitors perceive sustainable wine tourism practices as important, while 38% do not consider them important. However, looking ahead to the next five years, there is a significant increase in the perceived importance of sustainable wine tourism practices, with 82% of visitors considering them important and only 13% not considering them important.

Gergely Szolnoki

This shift in perception reflects a growing awareness and understanding among visitors of the importance of sustainability in the wine tourism industry. Visitors are increasingly seeking sustainable experiences that align with their values and contribute to the preservation of the environment and local communities.

Gergely Szolnoki

Wineries can capitalize on this trend by adopting sustainable practices and communicating them effectively to visitors. By doing so, wineries can not only meet visitors’ expectations but also enhance their reputation and competitiveness in the global market. However, it is essential to ensure that sustainability initiatives are genuine and meaningful, rather than simply a marketing tool, to avoid greenwashing and maintain visitors’ trust and loyalty.

The Conclusions.

In conclusion, sustainability and sustainable wine tourism are of paramount importance, although defining and implementing measures for sustainable wine tourism can be complex due to a lack of experience. To address this challenge, a supported measure catalogue with concrete ideas could facilitate easier adoption. Lack of information and guidelines emerges as one of the main barriers hindering progress in sustainable wine tourism, highlighting the need for accessible resources and clear guidance in this field.

Gergely Szolnoki

We extend our gratitude to Prof. Dr. Prof. h.c. Gergely Szolnoki for his insightful speech and for generously sharing valuable information with us, which will undoubtedly contribute to the advancement of wine tourism in the future. For further details about the study, please refer to the link provided https://www.winetourism.com/sustainable-wine-tourism/

Gergely Szolnoki

 

The event of the Wine Travel Awards Team as a part of ProWein 2024 in Düsseldorf “Tasting Around the Sustainable World” garnered a significant audience due to its intriguing theme of exploring. The event was graced by the presence of an esteemed speaker, Prof. Dr. Prof. h.c. Gergely Szolnoki from Geisenheim University, who also happens […]

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11

The winner of the Ambassador of the Year nomination will receive a book by Gerard Basset

Tasting Victory: The Life and Wines of the World’s Favorite Sommelier is an impressive story of Gerard Basset’s life and career. It is a reflection of the victory over the challenges that stand in the way of a person and clearly proves that everyone is able to reach the top in any, even the most difficult, circumstances. The main thing is desire and perseverance.

This year, the winner of the Wine Travel Awards in the Ambassador of the Year category, who will be traditionally awarded the Gerard Basset Prize with the support of the Gérard Basset Foundation, will receive a book of memoirs by this incredible man. This copy will be signed by the wife of the famous sommelier — Mrs. Nina Basset, who is a member of the Wine Travel Awards jury, Vice President of the Academy of Sommeliers of Great Britain, ASI General Secretary and co-founder and chairman of the Gérard Basset Foundation. She commented on this joint decision with the award’s organizing committee: This is a great read that I hope will inspire others to believe that everyone can achieve anything they set their mind to. I am very impressed by the idea that the book Gerard finished in the last days of his life will be awarded to the Ambassador of the Year winner as a symbol of continuing his work. I am sure that Gerard’s memoirs will become a source of inspiration for a person who is in love with the world of wine and is ready to devote his life to this topic.

Nina Basset

Nina Basset told the story of writing the book, in which Gerard Basset generously shares the wealth of his knowledge and talks about the extraordinary efforts he made to achieve his phenomenal success. This invaluable work of education and inspiration was written in the last months of the master’s life. And perhaps at the cost of his last days.

When Gerard was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, all his travels had to be canceled, and he tried to fill his time in other ways. I suggested that he write a book about his life because I thought it would help inspire others, says Nina Basset, Gerard left school as a child without a diploma, but through self-training, further education, mentoring, hard work, determination and passion for wine, he became one of the most famous sommeliers in the world. The book is his story of a life well-lived, describing his training methods, preparation for numerous exams, and ultimately the ASI World Champion Sommelier competition in 2010, where Gerard won the title of World Champion. This is not only a book about life in the wine and hospitality industry, it is an inspiring story about a man who never gave up his belief that you can achieve anything you want with hard work, dedication, and a little bit of luck. Gerard is a great storyteller, and many people tell me they read the book in one sitting because they found it hard to put it down. Gerard wrote the book chapter by chapter, on days when he was feeling more or less well during a terrible period of grueling surgeries and chemotherapy. He even left the hospital to be able to write the last chapter. Even though he knew that leaving the hospital would mean hastening the end… But he was desperate to be home to complete this final part. He died 10 days after leaving the hospital. But then he finished the last lines. And later I wrote the last words to the book, which was very difficult for me. But I had to do it for our dear Gerard.

Gerard

David Williams, author of World Of Fine Wine, who personally knew Gerard Basset, wrote enthusiastically about Tasting Victory and the author of the book: Reading Tasting Victory was an extremely emotional experience. It is a memoir of the best professional of his generation in winemaking. Gerard was the first and only person to receive several of the highest qualifications at once — World Champion Sommelier, OBE, MW and MS. But it is his persistent pursuit of the highest degree of professionalism that is the essence of this book — for it was only on his seventh attempt that Gerard Basset, who was already 53 at the time, was finally recognized as the best sommelier in the world and the best sommelier of his generation.

Tasting Victory: The Life and Wines of the World’s Favorite Sommelier is a story that will impress anyone interested in wine, the restaurant industry, and success stories.

Gerard Basset tells about a difficult childhood and his first disappointing attempts to find his place in the world. But determination and hard work led him to success. He describes his unrivaled career, which includes founding innovative hotels, a successful wine business, and obtaining unique qualifications that have made him a legend in the world of wine.

Gérard Basset’s memoir is not only a story about one man’s journey to victory, but also an example and inspiration for everyone who dreams of reaching the top in their industry.

The Wine Travel Awards Ambassador of the Year prize, supported by the Gérard Basset Foundation, will be awarded at the Awards Ceremony to be held at the London Wine Fair on May 21, 2024 from 10.30 to 12.30.

Tasting Victory: The Life and Wines of the World’s Favorite Sommelier is an impressive story of Gerard Basset’s life and career. It is a reflection of the victory over the challenges that stand in the way of a person and clearly proves that everyone is able to reach the top in any, even the most difficult, […]

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04

The Wine Travel Awards 2023-2024 announced the Winners of public voting

On April 1st, an essential phase of Wine Travel Award 2023–2024 – the public voting stage – concluded. We are thrilled to announce the winners and extend our congratulations to all participants! The next phase of our journey is the selection of the winners by our esteemed panel of judges, distinguished professionals in the wine and wine tourism industry. However, it is important to reiterate that in our community, prizes and diplomas are not the primary focus. What truly matters is participation and building connections.

As you peruse our community gathered this year, you will notice several exciting developments. The geographic diversity has expanded, with nominees hailing from countries like Australia, New Zealand, China, and Taiwan, alongside a notable increase in participants from the USA. Additionally, we have successfully brought together some of the world’s most prominent wine museums. Notably, both small, independent wineries and renowned Grand Châteaux have expressed interest in our project, highlighting the inclusive and welcoming nature of our community, which shares a passion for exploring wine routes.

Cloudy Bay

This is precisely the vision we had for the WTA community – a diverse assembly of individuals and brands capable of making a positive impact on the world. Take the opportunity to acquaint yourself with the nominees, chosen by their supporters:

Ambassador

Persons representing wines, regions, enogastronomic routes, brands; associations, consortia, national wine bureaus, tourist offices, and tour operators.

Creative Strategy

Ambassador of the Year

Wine & Food Influencer

Journalists, professional media, bloggers, photographers and videographers.

Author of the Year

Expert Opinion

The Brightest Journey

Education in Enotourism

Wine museums, wine institutes, tasting rooms, including those located on the premises of the wineries, academies of enogastronomy, wine schools participating in tourist projects, organizers of tours to exhibitions, etc.

Cultural Mission

Unique Program

Wine Guide

Guides, guides-representatives of wine regions, tour operators, etc.

Top Guide

Travel Operator of the Year

Enogastronomic Events

Festivals, wine days and local products days, exhibitions, promotion programs.

Magnet of the Region

Event of the Year

The Visiting Card of the Country

Destinations, wineries, national brands, establishments with a wine program: hotels, local food restaurants, bars, museums of wines and specialties, tasting rooms.

Region of the year

Art & History Object

Progressive Approach

Brand – the Visiting Card of the Country

Must Visit

The nominees enlisted the big support of their friends, loyal audience and caught wine lovers’ eye, so that it yielded the results. Being charismatic and active on social media plays a crucial role in public voting. And we can see these features among our winners – famous chateaux, renowned experts and wine schools, attractive wine events and interesting wine authors and ambassadors.

The top five nominees from each category move on to the professional jury round. Their businesses will be reviewed by twelve industry-leading experts from the fields of winemaking, gastronomic tourism, marketing, and journalism. The selection takes place within a 10-point system according to the unified Wine Travel Awards protocols.

The WTA winners will be announced at the main WTA event – the WTA Ceremony scheduled to take place at the London Wine Fair on May 21 st , 2024 from 10.30–12.30.

The Wine Travel Awards Ceremony will highlight the results of the 2023—2024 campaign, where the winners of both public voting and professional jury selection will be appraised to that moment and new and prosperous names in the wine tourism business will be revealed.

The 2-hour program agenda includes:

  • a speech “Wine Tourism: Benefits and Challenges” by Robert Joseph, the WTA jury member, a prominent author in the world of wine and wine tourism, pioneering wine expert, wine creator and industry innovator;
  • a presentation of the WTA Sponsors and Partners;
  • an announcement of the winners and WTA discoveries;
  • a walk-around tasting of wines of the WTA community members.

On April 1st, an essential phase of Wine Travel Award 2023–2024 – the public voting stage – concluded. We are thrilled to announce the winners and extend our congratulations to all participants! The next phase of our journey is the selection of the winners by our esteemed panel of judges, distinguished professionals in the wine […]

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04

The 2024 Golden Vines® is an incredible wine world event

Wine Travel Awards is honored to announce the incredible event of the wine world – The 2024 Golden Vines®. Nina Basset – Chair of the Gerard Basset Foundation, Director of Liquid Icons and Wine Travel Awards judge – announced the traditional event – The 2024 Golden Vines® – Madrid, Spain (October 25-27) – on her Facebook page in an incredibly expressive video, which we bring to your attention below.

A Golden Vines® ticket is now on sale and offers admission to the 2024 Golden Vines® Gala and the 2024 Golden Vines® Awards Gala, as well as access to a selection of workshops, sponsored dinners and other events at the “ whoever came first got it.”

Of course, no Golden Vines® dinner would be complete without an exceptional wine pairing, and our Gala Dinner is no exception. It will feature incredible vintages to enjoy with dinner, including Barca-Velha 1999, Camus, Chateau d’Yquem 1983, Dom Pérignon P2, Dom Pérignon Rose 2008, Equipo Navazos, Krug Grande Cuvee 162, Krug Vintage 2003, Marques de Murrieta Ygay 1980, Ornellaia 2006, Petit Cheval Blanc 2020, Taylors Port 50 year Tawny, Vega Sicilia Unico 2004.

We also remind you that the Taylors brand is part of The Fladgate Partnership group, from which the impressive complex in Portugal with the WOW Wine Museum is nominated for this year’s Wine Travel Awards. You can learn more about it from the interview with the founder, Mr Adrian Bridge.

Wine Travel Awards is honored to announce the incredible event of the wine world – The 2024 Golden Vines®. Nina Basset – Chair of the Gerard Basset Foundation, Director of Liquid Icons and Wine Travel Awards judge – announced the traditional event – The 2024 Golden Vines® – Madrid, Spain (October 25-27) – on her […]

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02

VinItaly 2024. All the stars are here

Less than two weeks are left before the start of one of the largest professional exhibitions in the world of wine. For fifteen years, the Drinks+ International Communication Media Group has been an information partner of this annual grand event, which each time gathers at its place more than 3 000 wines from several dozen countries. This year, the Drinks+ International Communication Media Group & Wine Travel Awards team is going to present Tenuta Manoylo, a true gem of the Italian Marche region, at its own booth in Hall D, Stand A3.

The first VinItaly took place in 1967. Since that time, for wine professionals, the words “April” and “Verona” have become almost synonymous, because it is here – in the “City of Love” – that every April leading producers, traders, buyers, importers, exporters and distributors from different countries gather. This year, VinItaly will take place from April 14 to 17.

vinitaly

The 56th Vinitaly will be attended by at least 4 000 exhibiting companies presenting their products on an area of more than 100 000 square meters. Also, thanks to the efforts of the Veronafiere press center, involved have been influential international wine traders from 65 countries.

The Drinks+ Communication Media Group + & Wine Travel Awards team is also preparing for the exhibition. At our own stand – Hall D, Stand A3, we will present a young winery from the ancient Marche region – Tenuta Manoylo, which this year has won the public vote of the international Wine Travel Awards project in the Progressive Approach category. The official list of the winners of the public vote will be announced by April 5.

Tenuta Manoylo

Drinks+ & WTA invite distributors and everyone who is interested in learning more about the still little-known Marche region and its real gem – the winemaker Tenuta Manoylo, to visit our stand and get to know the winery, whose vineyards are spread out in the heart of the Marche region – on the picturesque hills surrounding the medieval village of Moresco and the river Aso. Despite its relatively young age, Tenuta Manoylo has already earned honorable mentions at the MUNDUS VINI 2024 competition.

We would like to remind you that at ProWein 2024, the Drinks+ & WTA team, as part of Tasting Around the Sustainable World, among six other participants, presented Tenuta Manoylo with the white monovarietal wine Passo del Borgo Falerio DOC Pecorino 2021. Passerina has a beautiful golden glistening straw-yellow color.  This wine was exhibited for the first time on the international stage during the spring session of the MUNDUS VINI 2024 competition and won a silver medal. Tenuta Manoylo also won Grand Gold for Marche IGT Sangiovese 2021.

Tenuta Manoylo

Passo del Borgo Falerio DOC Pecorino 2021 received positive reviews from all experts who were present at the Tasting Around the Sustainable World. Thus, Constantin Drăgan, the head sommelier of the Jidvei winery (which, by the way, also won the WTA public vote in the Must Visit category), noted that this wine was “a real highlight of this tasting.”

All Tenuta Manoylo wines are made by one of Italy’s most authoritative oenologists – Luigi Costantini. Recently, Mr. Costantini  has found an opportunity in his busy schedule to answer questions  from the Director of the Drinks+ International Communication Media Group.

We invite you to visit our stand Hall D, Stand A3 in Verona and get to know this outstanding winery and discover the unique Marche region.

Less than two weeks are left before the start of one of the largest professional exhibitions in the world of wine. For fifteen years, the Drinks+ International Communication Media Group has been an information partner of this annual grand event, which each time gathers at its place more than 3 000 wines from several dozen […]

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27

Oenorama. No ambitions – only wine!

Greece’s largest exhibition, Oenorama, celebrated its 30th anniversary by gathering the most distinctive wines of the bright terroirs of Hellas at the beginning of March 2024 at the “Zappeion Megaron” in the center of Athens.

Among the numerous exhibitors of Oenorama there were nominees of the Wine Travel Awards – we would like to remind you that the voting for the candidates goes on until March 31, it is the time to support the representatives of Greece in this wine tourism community – the well-known wineries from Nemea Semeli Estate and Α. & G. PAPAIOANNOU. And it is also a chance to join the international community that unites winemakers, wine journalists, guides, schools, associations and associations with the aim of promoting regions.

Oenorama

The Athens exhibition was first held in 1994. It was organized by Vinetum, a company specializing in event management, content creation and consulting. Other events organized by Vinetum include: Fine Red Wines, Afros & Nectar (Sparkling & Sweet Wines), Drink Pink (Rosé Wines) Greek Spirits and the Athens Craft Beer Festival. At that period of time it gained the highest ratings and this year it made a grand appearance with more than 250 exhibitors and more than 2,500 wines and spirits. In fact, today it is the only expo in the world that offers the most complete overview of the Greek wine industry. Such a proposition gathered more than 10,000 local and foreign visitors, specialists and oenophiles. Drinks+ correspondents were among them.

Oenorama

What caught the attention of our reviewers?

First of all, the complete absence of usual stand constructions was striking. No ambitions – only wine! As befits the homeland of the world democracy, all exhibitors – from small family wineries to powerful global enterprises – had equal opportunities to showcase their wines at standard tables lined up along the walls. What is remarkable, there were practically no stand workers – behind them were the owners, members of their families or top managers. And you know, as for me, it looks, perhaps, somewhat unusual to the eye of someone who every year attends the world’s leading exhibitions, which in some places turn into vanity fairs, but it is definitely a fair.

And it was an economical solution as well. Thus, the organizers were able to provide the maximum number of exhibition spaces to Greek winemakers with lower costs. And winemakers had equal opportunities to draw attention to their brands. And partners and fans made their choice based solely on the quality and style of the presented wines. Konstantinos Lazarakis MW, director of the WSPC Wine School (Greece), commented on the incredibly soulful atmosphere we experienced: “Oenorama is a gathering of the wine family, so everyone matters. After all, you have to go to family gatherings, even if one of your relatives can get on your nerves. Or if we may think we’ve seen it all before. A sense of belonging is important in any society! Only with this sense of belonging can we move forward, and Oenorama provides that to the wine community.”

Oenorama

And what is interesting, despite such a family-like, somewhat informal atmosphere, thanks to the well-organized navigation system at the exhibition, it was quite easy to move around the area, searching for this or that company.

So, here there was something to think about! By the way, we have long been drawing the attention of the international community to the star of winemaking that rose over the terroirs of Greece. Today, this country has begun to produce bright, diverse wines, both powerful, subtle and refined. In fact, the wines of Greece are a cosmos that can take a lifetime to explore, which is what the nominee of the Author of the Year category, Professor Marianna Sigala, really does – please support her work by voting for her.

Oenorama

New brands and names are added to the wide range of well-known and even great Greek wines every year. At this year’s show, 200+ newly released wines (from January 2021) were presented separately and could be tasted in formats ideal for each visitor: in areas exclusively for traders, during their own impromptu tasting rounds, as well as in areas for self-examination pouring

Oenorama

We also noted an interesting organizers` feature as the wine bar “Wine Revelations”. 60+ wines from rare autochthonous varieties, as well as organic, biodynamic and natural wines were presented here, poured and commented by a team of sommeliers.

The traditional exhibition Oenotechnica presented state-of-the-art oenological equipment and consumables.

Oenorama

 The date of the next exhibition has not been announced yet. Stay tuned for Drinks+ posts!

Greece’s largest exhibition, Oenorama, celebrated its 30th anniversary by gathering the most distinctive wines of the bright terroirs of Hellas at the beginning of March 2024 at the “Zappeion Megaron” in the center of Athens. Among the numerous exhibitors of Oenorama there were nominees of the Wine Travel Awards – we would like to remind […]

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