Gastronomy and Wine Portal

For the second year in a row, an international wine competition the Winelovers Wine Awards took part in Budapest from June, 7-9 and Drinks+ were delighted to be among the wine judges of this contest that ambitiously claims that aims to become the most influential wine competition in Central and Eastern Europe as Hungary, has always functioned as a gateway between East and West.

The competition features

This year the judges and the wines from different countries expanded due to the contest’s teamwork and communications. Incidentally, it is worth adding that Agnes Nemeth, the Wine Travel Awards nominee in the “Author of the Year” category, performs as a chief professional organizer as part of the Winelovers Wine Awards competition.

It is also important, that Ukrainian wines got the special occasion to take part on a free basis. This proposition from the organizing committee was immediately announced on our media resources and spread through the Ukrainian winemakers’ community. And the excellent results for Ukrainian winemakers were not long in coming. But let’s tell orderly how the competition took place as well as who’s who in award decisions.

The wine judges very carefully selected by the leaders of the competition are enough international. Not only Hungarian professionals attended, but also representatives from Poland, Croatia, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Romania, Austria, Slovakia, USA, and Belgium. Each wine commission is headed by a titled representative of the wine world, such as Wine Akademiker, Masters of Wine еtс. This year it was delightful to see such famous wine personalities as Dr. Caroline Gilby MW, Dr. Jamie Goode, Essi Avellan MW, Kristian Kielmayer DipWSET and Weinakademiker with whom I was very lucky to taste, discuss and evaluate wines in our team as a jury member of the competition during the three days. By the way, the first two days for our team were devoted exclusively to still white wines, the last – to red ones.

More than 50 renowned international experts judge and give feedback on the entered wines at Winelovers Wine Awards competition. This 2023 edition numbers: 840 wines, 256 wineries, 11 countries, 38 wine regions.

According to the statistic of the Non-Hungarian entries, the first place was Romania (32,6%) and the second place was Ukraine taking 20% of the total number, then comes Slovakia with a share of 13.8 percent.

István TÁBOR, competition director, in his address to the jury members 2023 said: “The Winelovers Wine Awards represent the latest generation of international wine competitions, with aims and activities that go beyond traditional wine competitions. The competition was created to give wines a real breakthrough, covering the marketing value of medals into commercial results to build the bridge East to West, a win-win situation for Winemakers”.

László BÁLINT, competition president, commented to Drinks+: “The Winelovers Wine Awards 2023 wine competition has made significant progress compared to the previous year: both the number of domestic and foreign entries has increased. The number of international entries has surpassed 50%, indicating that the reputation of the competition has reached more wineries, and the professional level is unquestionable and exemplary due to the selection of the jury members. Any winery achieving outstanding results in this competition can be confident that their wine will stand its ground in any international competition and market”.

We are absolutely agreeing and are proud of Ukrainian winemakers who defiantly deserve such results they got.

The Results

In total 762 medals were awarded, and 4 wines received the Grand Gold distinction. Alongside the judges gave 101 Gold, 281 Silver, and 307 Bronze medals awarded. Our Ukrainian winemakers have an excellent result – 25 wines were awarded medals. The Ukrainian Winemakers who took part in the contest were Biologist Craft Winery from Kyiv region, Bereczky “Borászat” Winery from Beregovo, Frumushika-Nova Family Winery from Odesa region, Wine Cellar of Sass family (Kidyosh, Transcarpathia), Orosz Winery (Derecen, Transcarpathia), Bolgrad Winery (Odesa Region, Bessarabia)

The highest score of 91 points was given to the Wine Cellar of the Sass family for its oak-aged white wine Hárslevelű 2021. The Gold medals were also given to Biologist Craft Winery for its Aligote 2022, Bolgrad Winery for Bolgrad Reserve Collection Chardonnay 2021 and 1821 Select Collection Bolgrad Pinot Grigio 2021.

Congratulation from all our team!

All the results can be found here.

Not only the blind tastings

Not only blind tastings awaited the jury during these 3 days of the competition. In addition, the organizers tried to present us with a wide program of exciting master classes. Essi Avellan MW in her sparkling wine masterclass showed us the difference between various sparkling wine tastes of 0.75 bottle VS Magnum. And the taste is really different because the second magnum fermentation starts on average two days later than the same wine in 75 cl bottles, and takes almost one week longer. Citation from the presentation: ”The wines produced in magnums are also intrinsically different, due to the additional processes involved in the longer fermentation”.

She also shared with us the experience from The Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships 2022. According to Essi Avellan MW, 51 pairs of comparable 0.75l and magnum bottles were entered with the same wine from the same vintage or non-vintage (regardless of base year) including all production methods. The result – 86% of the wines received the same or better medal results in magnum formats because of the specific mention above.

A brilliant masterclass conducted by Sebastian Giraldo Makovej, brand ambassador of Sauska Wines: ‘Furmint as a Sparkling: In the pursuit of the Sauska style’ where we could see the potential and different tastes and styles of the Furmint grape variety.

In its master class Gergely Ripka, Editor at TokajGuide, presented Young Aszú vintages from Tokaj.

The program of the second day was dedicated to the Winelovers X tasting & networking event. A relaxed and professional tasting of the wines by a small number of selected wineries (a list of 15 wineries was presented), and some samples entered the wine contest.

Our Drinks+ team congratulate all the winners and we are very pleased that the members of our team become participants in such prestigious wine competitions.

Cheers!

For the second year in a row, an international wine competition the Winelovers Wine Awards took part in Budapest from June, 7-9 and Drinks+ were delighted to be among the wine judges of this contest that ambitiously claims that aims to become the most influential wine competition in Central and Eastern Europe as Hungary, has […]

On August 10, InVino, the first wine club, shop and bar in Armenia, as well as the Wine Travel Awards nominee in the category The Visiting Card of the Country/Must Visit, invites you to a unique wine tasting by Tevan Poghosyan.

After 18 years of winemaking as a hobby, Tevan Poghosyan opened the MOONQ Wines winery. InVino offers wines from almost all over the world, always focusing on the best. On August 10, the organizers of the evening offer to taste wines from Voskehat, Areni, Nrneni and Khndoghni varieties, as well as a talk with their creator.

In the tasting program:

• Moonq Voskehat 2022
• Moonq Nrneni 2022
• Moonq Blend 2021
• Moonq Blend 2022
• And also Moonq Experimental Wine, a unique wine that is not on the market.

Limited number of seats. To reserve a place, you need to contact the organizer of the evening – the company InVino.

On August 10, InVino, the first wine club, shop and bar in Armenia, as well as the Wine Travel Awards nominee in the category The Visiting Card of the Country/Must Visit, invites you to a unique wine tasting by Tevan Poghosyan. After 18 years of winemaking as a hobby, Tevan Poghosyan opened the MOONQ Wines […]

In a momentous tribute to the extraordinary dedication and unyielding passion within the wine industry, Nicolas Clerc has been bestowed with the highly coveted Gérard Basset award.

As the Founder and President of the UK Sommelier Academy, Clerc’s relentless pursuit of excellence in the wine world has been recognized and celebrated during the Taittinger UK Sommelier of the Year 2023 finals, an event closely intertwined with the legacy of Gérard Basset, of whom Nina Basset is the Co-Founding Trustee and Chair of the Gérard Basset Foundation.

The Gérard Basset Award, established as a lasting homage to Gérard Basset, a trailblazing figure inspiring the industry and a driving force behind the esteemed competition, was presented to Nicolas Clerc as a testament to his outstanding achievements and contributions. Having been named the UK Sommelier of the Year in 2007, Clerc’s journey as a respected wine professional has been adorned with numerous awards in the field of sommelier expertise. 

Nicolas Clerc

Serving as a mentor to many and fervently supporting aspiring sommeliers in their pursuit of success, Clerc’s commitment to the advancement of the industry has been resolute. Clerc has played a pivotal role in shaping the UK Sommelier Academy, emerging as the driving force behind its creation. His unwavering passion for the industry has been deeply admired, making him an exemplary figure for aspiring sommeliers and wine enthusiasts alike.

Nina Basset, in presenting the award, spoke passionately of the exceptional candidates considered, yet the decision was unanimous in acknowledging Clerc’s exceptional contributions. Complimenting him as a much-respected wine professional and an inspiring mentor, Basset acknowledged Clerc’s continuous involvement in supporting sommeliers through their MS and ASI exams.

For Clerc, the recognition holds profound significance, having worked closely with Gérard Basset on various projects, including the UK Sommelier of the Year competition and the establishment of the United Kingdom Sommelier Academy. The award not only celebrates his accomplishments but also honours the collective effort of the Basset Clan and all involved within the UKSA, carrying forward Gérard Basset’s indelible legacy.

Gérard Basset

Deeply touched and honoured by the recognition, Clerc emphasized the invaluable lessons he learned from Gérard, which have instilled a selfless dedication to serving others without expecting anything in return. The award serves as a poignant reminder and motivation for him to continue his passion-fueled journey in the wine industry.

The wine world applauds Nicolas Clerc, a true visionary and passionate ambassador, for his tireless contributions to the industry, and the Gérard Basset award stands as a symbol of enduring inspiration and admiration for his remarkable achievements.

Nina Basset serves as a jury member for this year’s Wine Travel Awards. “In partnership with the Gérard Basset Foundation, we have established the prestigious Gerard Basset Prize to honour the Ambassadors of the Year, paying tribute to the late Monsieur Gérard Basset – a Master of Wine, Master Sommelier, and Wine MBA, who always shared his knowledge and experience generously with young sommeliers. This prize aims to inspire wine personalities to pursue further education and knowledge”.

This year, the Gérard Basset Prize “Ambassador of the Year” was received by Artyom Mkrtchyan – an experienced sommelier and passionate promoter of Armenia and its wine. Artyom’s “Decant wine shop & tasting room,” specializes in Armenian wines, offering a vast collection, wine literature, tastings, and wine events. He also leads tailored wine and gastro tours and founded “VINI – Armenian Wine Guide”. Vini’s mission, captured by the slogan “Every Armenian wine,” is to introduce consumers to all wines and producers in Armenia professionally, regardless of size, while embracing international expertise and the country’s cultural essence. 

We congratulate Artyom Mkrtchyan and Nicolas Clerc on receiving the well-deserved awards for their outstanding contributions to the wine industry, each in their unique and inspiring ways.

Source: thecaterer.com
Photo: thecaterer.com

In a momentous tribute to the extraordinary dedication and unyielding passion within the wine industry, Nicolas Clerc has been bestowed with the highly coveted Gérard Basset award. As the Founder and President of the UK Sommelier Academy, Clerc’s relentless pursuit of excellence in the wine world has been recognized and celebrated during the Taittinger UK […]

This dynamic digital wine atlas has been created in partnership with the University of Vienna.

Wine Travel Awards is proud to partner with Austrian Wine, a marketing board dedicated to promoting the exquisite wines of Austria. In the public voting of the Wine and Travel Awards, Austria emerged triumphant in The Visiting Card of the Country/Region of the Year category, while the Austrian Wine Academy secured the top spot in the Education in Enotourism/Unique Program category, Schloss Esterházy’s earned the title in the Education in Enotourism/Cultural Mission category, and VieVinum has become the ultimate winner in the Enogastronomic Events/Magnet of the Region category.

Back in 2021, Austrian Wine unveiled the world’s first and only digital wine atlas covering an entire wine-producing country. Austriavineyards.com, an innovative online tool, opens up a world of exploration, offering in-depth insights into the origins and flavours of Austria’s renowned wines. Despite the platform’s instant success, the efforts to improve and enhance it have never ceased. With the recent legal definition of Rieds in Steiermark (Styria), the platform now boasts almost 5,000 digitally accessible single vineyards!

For those eager to delve into the distinctive characteristics of Austrian Rieds (Austrian term for a single vineyard, or “cru”), austrianvineyards.com serves as an indispensable resource. This dynamic digital wine atlas has been created in partnership with the University of Vienna.

CEO of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board, Chris Yorke, proudly describes austrianvineyards.com as the go-to destination for wine aficionados seeking every intricate detail about the origins of their favourite Austrian wines. The comprehensive platform presents comprehensive information about each Ried, including sunshine hours, average temperature, precipitation, gradient, elevation, and the types of grape varieties grown in each vineyard. Moreover, it encompasses detailed insights into every wine-growing village and region, truly making it an extraordinary and one-of-a-kind digital wine atlas.

Austrianvineyards.com stands as a testament to Austria’s pioneering spirit and innovation in the world of wine production. Yet, Austrian Wine remains dedicated to continuous improvement and development. Yorke reveals that they are actively working to include even more detailed geological information in the future, further enriching the already exceptional experience for wine enthusiasts. Cheers to the blend of tradition and innovation that continues to place Austria at the forefront of the wine industry!

Photo: facebook.com/austrianwine

This dynamic digital wine atlas has been created in partnership with the University of Vienna. Wine Travel Awards is proud to partner with Austrian Wine, a marketing board dedicated to promoting the exquisite wines of Austria. In the public voting of the Wine and Travel Awards, Austria emerged triumphant in The Visiting Card of the […]

On July 6, the Wine Travel Awards (WTA)  team gathered the award and voting winners, the jury representatives as well as the most active nominees, in a webinar led by Romané Basset, Co-Founding Trustee of the Gérard Basset Foundation, set up to honour the legacy and memory of Gérard Basset.

Mr Basset was one of the most experienced and award-winning wine experts in the world, and a holder of the titles of Master Sommelier, Master of Wine, Master Sommelier, as well as Wine MBA and the ASI World Champion. Gérard Basset was a founding partner of the hugely successful Hotel du Vin Group. He also mentored and trained a generation of young sommeliers who sought out his expertise and guidance to launch their own careers. Gérard Basset Foundation was created to address the wine, spirits and hospitality industries’ most pressing issues through education, training and mentorship.

Gérard Basset Foundation is one of WTA’s most active and valuable partners. Due to the personal consent of Monsieur Basset’s family – Mme Nina Basset, the WTA judge, and her son, Mr Romané Basset, starting from this year a special prize from Gérard Basset Foundation is awarded to the voting and jury-selected winner of the Ambassador of the year category (this year‘s winner is Artyom Mkrtchyan, a young and talented sommelier from Armenia).

The aim of the webinar was to help the WTA community members gain valuable insights into the incredible work of the Gérard Basset Foundation as well as the opportunities it offers in the wine market. It was a privilege granted to the core of the WTA community, giving them new opportunities for collaboration with one of the most significant grant organizations at the international wine stage, that were discussed directly with one of the Foundation‘s key people, Romané Basset.

In his opening speech Mr Basset told the participants about the main principles of the Foundation and its activities, focusing strongly on diversity, inclusivity and equal opportunities for those aspiring wine professionals whose physical, financial and other conditions prevent them from pursuing education and career goals in the wine industry. Gérard Basset Foundation has special education and professional training programs for such talented individuals, helping them make their dreams of doing a career in wine business come true.

The webinar for the WTA community members was held in a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere which stimulated communication and exchange of ideas. Romané Basset was also open to answering questions from the audience. In order to fully convey the details and atmosphere of the meeting, we present it in a format close to the transcript.

Salome Lomsadze, Commercial project manager of Shumi Winery, Georgia (note from the editors: Shumi Winery is the 2022-2023 WTA award and voting winner in nine categories, which, in our opinion, is phenomenal!)

“I represent the management of Shumi Winery from Georgia, and my question is, what could be your advice to us regarding raising awareness of Georgian wines in the world?

I’ll tell you a little more about what we do, besides producing wine, of course. For example, we have an ampelographic collection of more than 2,000 grape varieties from around the world, including more than 400 indigenous Georgian ones. The idea of such a collection was born in the 90s, it belonged to my father, who really wanted to bring Georgia, our heritage and culture, to a new level after the period of withdrawal from the USSR. At that time, many of the local varieties of grapes had died out, they were practically impossible to find in Georgia, because they did not give enough volume to the economy. As a result of many years of efforts of my family, the United Nation Food and Agriculture Organization assigned us a number – G036. I believe that this is one of the pieces of evidence that today we have a unique object that needs to be taken care of and told about. Our current situation is different from Georgia in the 90s, when people did not even have enough food, not to mention decent wine, but we are still facing many problems, maybe not as much financial ones, but some white spots remain, including education. At Shumi we have ampelographic collections, an interesting tourist complex – with an active marani cellar with qvevri, we have a wine museum with real unique artifacts, we popularize the history of Georgian culture, which is already 8000 years old. But… Today, many have learned that winemaking originates from Georgia, but not everyone even knows where it is. Sometimes when I say that I’m from Georgia, it’s not that they don’t ask me questions about how I’m related to wine – sometimes they even ask, “Where is Georgia?” Not everybody is even familiar with such a country. So how can I be useful in this? I have a hospitality background, and I would like to use my effort efficiently, to make Georgia more interesting, and to tell about our culture and our winemaking traditions”.

Romané Basset: “Thank you for your question and for explaining the context. From my point of view, Georgia deserves more attention and I am also trying to help raise the flag of Georgian wines. I confess, I am a big fan of Georgian wines, even at my university I organized a tasting of these wines, which, I must state, was a success. We presented eight wines – three red and five orange ones, so it was indeed a successful selection… And I believe that now is the moment when you can take significant steps to promote Georgian wine and Georgia as a whole. Besides, you are already on the right track. And I am pleased to be able to speak on this matter. After all, the key point here is to enlighten the world about your country. When I talk about education, I mean two aspects. First, the process requires studying special literature, teaching people about the technical aspects of Georgian wine – explaining what makes it unique, telling the story, providing academic data, which can be included, for example, in the WSET textbook. And the second thing you mentioned is the tourist aspect. I am sure it is one of the most important tools. I will give an example – in February I had to observe one experiment. Several people from the wine world were discussing sales. Among them was the Spanish sommelier Ferran Centelles, and his task was to sell a bottle of Dom Perignon to the guests. The study participants were connected to a brain scanner. And Ferran was selling the wine in two ways. The first, a very classic sales pitch – like “hello, I’m Ferran Centelles, I’ll be your sommelier today…”. He then gave another presentation that was much more personal, with details. He talked about his visits to the Perignon House and a tour of the vineyard. And it is surprising: in the vast majority of participants of the second presentation, when the sommelier accompanied the story with personal impressions from visits to the House, it caused pleasure, which affected the brain much more than in the first case. So if you invite people to Georgia and show them how you make wine, tell them about the traditions and culture, you will get more results.

I have never been to Georgia, but my father worked a lot with your winemakers. And I definitely know of one of our fellows from Georgia who just graduated and has now become a great advocate of Georgian wine. So I think that another important perspective for you is to educate people and turn them into ambassadors. I also believe that it is necessary to invite professionals from the world of wine: invite the sommeliers to visit the winery, taste the wines, see what you are doing. Then they return to their restaurants, add Georgian wines to their wine lists and share their personal impressions of the visit with their guests. And all this information accumulates, concentrates. I think then it will make Georgian wine more famous on the world stage… I don’t know if this is exactly what you are looking for, but that’s how I see it.”

Begoña Fernández Benítez, education coordinator of the wine tourism School of Catalonia in Vilafranca del Penedès, located in Barcelona, Spain:

“Some of you probably know me because this is the second year we have worked together with Wine Travel Awards. By the way, our school currently has three students from Georgia, and eight more Georgian applicants have submitted their documents for the new year. We have a formal training course that lasts two years: a theoretical one, based on wine tourism, and the second one is a contracted and paid winery training. We believe that this is the perfect educational balance. Also, in addition to the basic course, we are developing separate courses with a shorter training period. Can we create some synergy with the Foundation?”

Romané Basset: “My Godfather, Franck Massard, makes wine in Catalonia. So I’ve had the good fortune to visit him a couple of times and experience some wine tourism in Catalonia. I think you’re doing a very good job! In terms of collaboration, this is what we could do. I mentioned the grantees whereby we work with groups who are local to an area and we give them something to their projects. At the end of this month we’re going to be opening applications for funding for this year. When we do this, we ask the groups who apply to explain a bit about what they do, whether they’ve worked in any capacity with the ideas of diversity and inclusion before. And then if they have, what projects have they done, if they haven’t – what are they hoping to do. As an applicant you have to suggest an idea for a collaboration. I’ll give you an example. We do a project in France in wine school whereby we found two projects. One of them is a week’s introduction to sommelliery for people who can’t afford wine education but want to work with wine. Another course is for people with difficult economic circumstances to do a six week training, this is an intermediate level. So you see that there’s the educational component that’s essential. And there also has to be an aspect of diversity and inclusion for people who, as I said earlier have circumstances which stop them from trying. You are welcome to apply, and so are other groups who would be interested in doing a project with us. We are open to applications from the end of July, closing in September, so you have plenty of time.”

Nataliia Burlachenko, ambassador of Vinos de la Luz, CEO Big Wines:

“We are a young project in Ukraine, we’ve had our first Ukrainian release in 2023, however our premiere wine has already won a few medals from prestigious international competitions. We would be more than happy to suggest our wine as a lot for the future events held by the Foundation. For us it will be an honor to support the project. Our wine has a story behind it, and we’d be really delighted to be part of the inspiring projects of Gérard Basset Foundation.

Romané Basset: “Thank you very much for that kind offer, Natalia. And also thank you very much for thinking of wanting to help us when you’ve got everything going on in your country at the moment. The fact that you’re willing to think of helping us despite the challenges of war means a lot, so thank you very much! I can get in touch with you and explain how it works with the auction and we can look at ways on maybe incorporating your wine, because that would be very special, so thank you. I’ve recently seen that Ukrainian wine is getting more prominent in the UK. For example, I have a good friend living in the UK, actually, she’s a Ukrainian sommelier. And now she’s actually got a section of the wine list in the restaurant she works in, where she shows Ukrainian wines. And I know at the London Wine Fair this year the Ukrainian wine stand got lots of visitors, so we are becoming more aware of it here, which I think it’s very good. So we are open for collaborations, and I will get back to you about that.”

Victoria Makarova, WTA discovery editor:

“My question also relates to have  Ukrainian wines. Wines of Ukraine have been doing quite a lot at the international stage recently. We’ve been participating in ProWine fair, in London Wine fair, various other International events. And representatives of Ukraine have been doing a lot of wine tastings for experts, professionals and wine lovers in Europe, as well as in the UK. But I understand that we have a big need for recruiting more ambassadors at the international stage, and this is exactly what Wine Travel Awards are working on. Do you think Gérard Basset Foundation might in any way help us engage such people?”

Romané Basset: “We are a registered charity under UK law, and the regulations governing charities in the UK are very strict. As such, our mandate is crystal clear: to promote diversity and inclusion in the wine and hospitality industry through education and training. Consequently, we must be very specific about the projects we can financially support. Regarding the educational aspect of introducing Ukrainian wines to the world, I believe there is an optimal approach we can take. We should consider funding opportunities for ambassadors of Ukrainian wine, enabling them to gain valuable experience and knowledge. This, in turn, would allow them to effectively promote Ukrainian wines by utilizing their acquired skills. For example, we could explore the possibility of contributing to their training expenses.

I am confident that the awareness of Ukrainian wines among the people in the UK has increased significantly and will continue to grow. Ukraine presents a remarkable opportunity for promotion due to its winemakers’ proficiency in both Western winemaking techniques, akin to the French classics, and an oriental style reminiscent of Georgian wines. This unique combination can truly capture people’s interest.”

As a conclusion, Mr Basset expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the organizers of the meeting with the Wine Travel Awards community. “It has been an enlightening and inspiring experience,” he said.

In the meantime, the WTA team is immensely grateful to Romané Basset for sharing a couple of hours with our community and for inspiring us to explore the opportunities provided by Gérard Basset Foundation. To be continued!

On July 6, the Wine Travel Awards (WTA)  team gathered the award and voting winners, the jury representatives as well as the most active nominees, in a webinar led by Romané Basset, Co-Founding Trustee of the Gérard Basset Foundation, set up to honour the legacy and memory of Gérard Basset. Mr Basset was one of […]

Throughout its 20-year journey, Askaneli has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a humble family enterprise into a thriving and triumphant wine trading company in Georgia.

As we raise our glasses to toast the finest offerings from the world of wine, there’s one name that has stood out magnificently amidst the sea of contenders and managed to win hearts on the international stage – Askaneli Winery & Distillery, a WTA nominee and public voting winner in The Visiting Card of the Country/Progressive Approach category and The Visiting Card of the Country/Brand – the visiting card of the country – Gocha’s Collection – Askaneli Winery & Distillery.

Throughout its 20-year journey, Askaneli has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a humble family enterprise into a thriving and triumphant wine trading company in Georgia. Presently, AWD stands tall with three robust factories strategically located across various regions of the country. This June has proven to be particularly momentous for the Georgian winery, as it embarked on a journey filled with achievements that strengthened its presence on the global wine market.

Starting the eventful month, Askaneli participated as a guest at the 15th International Wine and Spirits Exhibition held between June 2nd and 4th. Adding further to its impressive run, Askaneli was featured at the Merano Wine Festival Georgia 2023 on June 11th, showcasing its premium wines and connecting with industry experts and wine enthusiasts alike.

However, the pinnacle of Askaneli’s triumphs was at the Seoul International Wines and Spirits Expo 2023 from June 22nd to 24th – an exhibition that takes place in South Korea since 1992 and attracts more than 35 000 visitors annually. There, Askaneli had the opportunity to introduce the world to the vibrant and captivating wine traditions and cultural heritage of Georgia. Among the attendees were wine experts and journalists from various corners of the globe, allowing Askanel wines to captivate their palates and establish its presence on an international scale.

As if these achievements weren’t enough to make Askaneli’s June truly remarkable, the winery received exceptional ratings from the renowned James Suckling – one of the world’s most influential wine critics, whose ratings are exclusively by invitation. Scoring an impressive 90 and above rating for multiple of their wines, including the ones from Gocha’s Collection (a WTA nominee and, yet again, a public vote winner in Brand – the Visiting Card of the Country category) is a testament to Askaneli’s unwavering dedication to crafting wines of the highest calibre, and it further cements their position as a true connoisseur’s choice.

Askaneli Winery & Distillery’s journey in June has been one of recognition and success. As they continue to share their passion for Georgian wine with the world, their presence on the global stage is ever-growing. Through their commitment to preserving and promoting Georgian winemaking’s rich traditions and culture, Askaneli has undoubtedly earned its place as a true ambassador for the country’s vinicultural legacy!

Throughout its 20-year journey, Askaneli has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a humble family enterprise into a thriving and triumphant wine trading company in Georgia. As we raise our glasses to toast the finest offerings from the world of wine, there’s one name that has stood out magnificently amidst the sea of contenders and […]

Being the cradle of the renowned Asti DOCG and the UNESCO Heritage “Underground Cathedrals,” Canelli has reached a significant milestone.

The Journal of the European Union has officially recognized Canelli’s status as a protected designation of origin (DOCG) in accordance with the European Commission’s regulation (2023/1327). This official recognition applies exclusively to grapes cultivated from Moscato Bianco vines found within the 17 municipalities surrounding the Canelli sub-area, a region that bridges the Langhe and Monferrato.

For Flavio Giacomo Scagliola, Vice President of Consorzio dell’Asti DOCG, this accolade holds immense significance: “It is a fundamental element for the socio-economic growth of an area increasingly suited to wine tourism. The next step of the process involves the assignment of the monitoring organization, which will therefore soon see Consorzio dell’Asti protect Canelli DOCG together with Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti DOCG.”

Emerging as an area with boundless potential, Asti DOCG currently boasts a production of over 100 million bottles. Notably, Canelli holds a rich history, with the inception of the first Spumante Metodo Classico dating back to 1865, pioneered by Carlo Gancia, the visionary behind Asti Spumante. Embodying aromatic sweetness, delicate effervescence, and low alcohol content, the esteemed cru Canelli DOCG will be introduced to the market as Riserva after maturing and refining for a minimum of 30 months.

This regulatory acknowledgement reaffirms Canelli’s standing as a prime location for exceptional viticulture in Piedmont, solidifying its position as a distinguished “DOCG” label within the wine world.

Being the cradle of the renowned Asti DOCG and the UNESCO Heritage “Underground Cathedrals,” Canelli has reached a significant milestone. The Journal of the European Union has officially recognized Canelli’s status as a protected designation of origin (DOCG) in accordance with the European Commission’s regulation (2023/1327). This official recognition applies exclusively to grapes cultivated from […]

Daniel and Florence Cathiard arrived in Rioja for an exciting announcement: the unveiling of the top 50 World Best Vineyard 2023.

Recently, Daniel and Florence Cathiard, the owners of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, the Wine Travel Awards prize fund sponsor and nominee in The Visiting Card of the Country / Art & History Object category, arrived in Rioja for an exciting announcement: the unveiling of the top 50 World Best Vineyard 2023, a prestigious annual listing that celebrates the finest winery destinations across five continents, showcasing exceptional vineyard experiences from around the globe.

For the Cathiards, this recognition comes as no surprise. Château Smith Haut Lafitte has consistently held its position on this distinguished ranking for four consecutive years, and this year, it attained a remarkable milestone by securing a coveted spot in the top 5. Furthermore, it is the first French winery to achieve this remarkable feat.

Rooted in history that traces back to the fourteenth century, Château Smith Haut Lafitte has flourished under the stewardship of former French Olympic skier Daniel Cathiard and his wife Florence. Their transformative vision, spanning the past three decades, has etched an indelible mark on this quintessential Bordeaux winery, elevating it to a luxurious destination.

The Cathiards’ commitment to biodynamic farming has been central to their success, cultivating vineyards where shire horses gracefully plough the land, surrounded by verdant woodlands, lush orchards, and bustling beehives. This harmonious ecosystem enhances biodiversity, enriching not only the wines’ complexity but also ensuring the estate’s sustainability and minimising its carbon footprint.

The Cathiards have been joined in the business by their daughters. Mathilde, with the estate’s grape seeds and vine cuttings, established the internationally acclaimed beauty brand, Caudalie. Meanwhile, Alice manages the estate, including the five-star hotel Les Sources de Caudalie nestled amidst the vineyards and the two-Michelin-starred restaurant, La Grande’Vigne. The spa, featuring Caudalie Vinothérapie, provides a pampering experience, while a shop, wine bar, pool, gym, sauna, tennis court, and more offer a plethora of activities that can easily extend a visitor’s stay.

For day visitors, the tasting room in the orangery is an absolute must-visit. As you step onto the floorboards, a secret spot-lit stairway unveils itself, leading to the estate’s most treasured collection of bottles dating back to the nineteenth century.

Château Smith Haut Lafitte crafts red and white blends using the seven Bordeaux grape varieties, adhering to biodynamic principles and adopting some technological assistance. Satellite imagery diligently monitors the grapes, guiding the team to determine the precise moment for hand-harvesting.

On their way to the winery, the grapes are lovingly shielded by ergonomic hoods, designed by Daniel himself, ensuring protection from the weather. The estate’s own cooperage empowers the team to masterfully control the oak impact on the wine down to the minutest detail.

In the wake of their latest triumph, we extend heartfelt congratulations to the Cathiard family and the exceptional team at Château Smith Haut Lafitte. Their unwavering dedication to winemaking excellence and their commitment to sustainability stands as a true testament to the remarkable spirit of French winemaking.

Daniel and Florence Cathiard arrived in Rioja for an exciting announcement: the unveiling of the top 50 World Best Vineyard 2023. Recently, Daniel and Florence Cathiard, the owners of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, the Wine Travel Awards prize fund sponsor and nominee in The Visiting Card of the Country / Art & History Object category, […]

Recently, the Ukrainian city of Kyiv witnessed the unveiling of a remarkable limited edition champagne named “Victoire de la Dignité” or “Victory of Dignity.” The proceeds from the sales of this exclusive champagne will be directed towards the Main Military Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and mobile military hospitals. Our Drinks+ journalist had the opportunity to interview the ideologist behind this philanthropic project.

The limited edition of Victoire de la Dignité comprises 2388 collectable bottles, created specially and exclusively for Ukraine. However, its uniqueness doesn’t end there. Victoire de la Dignité goes beyond being mere champagne; it is an exquisite collection of art objects. The labels of each bottle showcase reproductions of six paintings by contemporary Ukrainian artists, symbolizing the nation’s spirit of victory. These labels were crafted at the renowned Eclair printing house, which specializes in collaborating with esteemed Champagne brands. The entire collection was made possible through a charitable initiative initiated by the esteemed restaurateur, Mariia Didkovska, who partnered with the prestigious French family Champagne House, Pierre Morlet.

Located in the heart of Champagne, Avenay-Val-d’Or, Pierre Morlet is an independent Champagne House with a rich legacy spanning four generations. The Morlet family has been dedicated to producing robust and harmonious wines and nurturing vineyards in the region’s finest areas. Setting their vineyards apart is the unique use of a terraced cultivation system, a rarity for this region, which required complex creation and organization processes. Over 12 years, the Morlet family crafted this system by hand, combined with the region’s exceptional chalk-rich soil and moderate climate, creating an ideal environment for cultivating Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.

Victoire de la Dignité was born from the 2015 harvest, which faced a threat due to an exceptionally early winter. The entire family worked tirelessly, day and night, using special burners to protect the vines and ensure full ripening of the grapes. Their relentless efforts resulted in the creation of this extraordinary champagne. Comprising 85% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Noir, sourced from Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards, Victoire de la Dignité has been aged on lees for over six years, boasting ageing potential until 2030 when stored in a 10-12°C wine cellar. The Millésime qualification is backed by the meticulous process of manual harvesting and sorting. Victoire de la Dignité is available for purchase on the website and at the Citronelle restaurant.

On the artistic front, the project draws inspiration from Ukrainian artists. Oleksii Apollonov, Mykola Bilous, Olena Pryduvalova, Maryna Skugareva, Oleksandr Sukholit, and Oleh Tistol are the talented artists who infused their spirit into Victoire de la Dignité.

The original paintings, reproduced on the champagne labels, are being showcased at the National Art Museum of Ukraine during the “Anticipation of Victory” exhibition from July 6 to 20. This exclusive event offers visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of art and experience the creative essence through installations featuring the artists’ workshops.

Mariia Didkovska, the driving force behind this generous initiative and the owner of Citronelle restaurant and Saint Bar, has actively engaged in charitable initiatives for over seven years, her noteworthy projects being “Open Music of the City”, “Ode to Independence”, “Winter Wonders”, “Sounds of Peace”, “For the Sake of the Future” and many others. During the full-scale invasion, her charity funds have raised over 5 million hryvnias to acquire essential surgical and laparoscopic instruments for military mobile hospitals.

During the presentation of the Victoire de la Dignité project, Mariia shared her thoughts and insights with our Drinks+ observer about her collaboration with the House of Pierre Morlet and her visions for this champagne and future endeavours.

Drinks+: You previously collaborated with the House of Pierre Morlet to create champagne for your restaurant. Can you tell us more about that collaboration and how the idea for the Victoire de la Dignité project emerged?

Mariia Didkovska: Our collaboration with the House of Pierre Morlet started through a twist of fate and a deep-rooted friendship. About seven years ago, I had the privilege of meeting them, and it feels as if it was destined for this very moment, bringing forth the Victoire de la Dignité project today. The Champagne community is a close-knit one, not easily welcoming newcomers; those who have worked with them understand this well. My friend, Maryna Kerbitskaya, a Parisian chef, invited me to dinner once. We have been friends and collaborating for a long time: she occasionally introduces me to interesting chefs, and together we organise dinners at Citronelle in Kyiv. So, while in Paris, she invited me to dinner with her friends, where she brought a bottle of champagne from the House of Pierre Morlet. We found ourselves amidst a fascinating group of true Parisians, many of whom were involved in the world of art, creating a truly special atmosphere. A bit snobbish perhaps, but very, very delightful. So, as we were enjoying the champagne, many of the guests, who had experienced the richness of life and tasted various delicacies, showered compliments upon this wine, even though they were unfamiliar with the Champagne producer, Pierre Morlet. It was then that my friend began recounting their story, and to our surprise, among us was Mr Vincent, a friend and neighbour of the Morlet family. This revelation felt like a plot twist from a movie. Vincent and his father, Olivier, besides being close friends with the Morlet, also had a grandfather who happened to be the lawyer responsible for registering champagne as a product with an appellation of origin. This fact sparked countless conversations. Later, we visited Vincent’s place and met Eric Morlet, and from there, our regular meetings commenced. It all started with a simple idea from my friend: since there was exquisite champagne and the Citronelle restaurant, why not collaborate? However, we were cautious about undertaking a grand project, so we decided to create something unique for Citronelle first. We exchanged ideas, and I shared insights about our guests’ preferences. Eric Morlet proposed various options to create a special cuvée for us. That’s how our first release came to life, which we introduced to Kyiv five years ago. Since then, there have been subsequent releases, culminating in a delightful surprise on Citronelle’s 10th anniversary, where they crafted a special blanc de blancs dedicated to us. Over time, a special bond formed between us, rooted in genuine human connections. As the war unfolded, we received a call from them on the very first day, offering their support to our family. We discussed many plans and the possibility of providing financial assistance to Ukrainians in need. It was clear that collecting targeted amounts continually might not be sustainable, prompting us to envision a project with lasting impact. Thus, the inspiring concept of blending Ukrainian art’s expressiveness with the allure of champagne was born, giving life to Victoire de la Dignité.

D+: How would you describe the 2015 vintage, bottled in these champagne bottles?

M.D.: Creamy. It can be best likened to creamy French butter – both dense and delicate in character. With notes of white flowers. Smooth and buttery, owing to the dominant presence of Chardonnay.

D+: Are there any plans to expand the “Victory of Dignity” project?

M.D.: Certainly, there is some understanding of what we will do next, and there are ongoing activities. Currently, we host creative evenings at Saint Bar, and occasionally at Citronelle, where we bring together writers, composers, philosophers, and fascinating individuals. These gatherings not only inspire creative interactions but also serve as fundraising events, with the proceeds donated to the hospital. We intend to continue with these efforts. But I also have some ambitious visions for the future – I can’t reveal the details yet, but everything is related to these artists. While working together, we have become part of each other’s lives and have a vision of what we can do together in the future, involving other people as well. I’ve come up with an exciting thing, but it’s a secret for now.

D.+: Thank you for sharing your insights and for your dedication to this noble project. We eagerly await the further development of “Victory of Dignity,” a project that truly embodies the essence of Ukrainian creativity and the shared values with the French – a strong yearning for freedom and an unwavering belief in victory.

We’d like to remind our readers that t

his exceptional collection is available for purchase on the website and at the Citronelle restaurant. All proceeds from the sale of Victoire de la Dignité directly support the needs of the Main Military Clinical Hospital.

Recently, the Ukrainian city of Kyiv witnessed the unveiling of a remarkable limited edition champagne named “Victoire de la Dignité” or “Victory of Dignity.” The proceeds from the sales of this exclusive champagne will be directed towards the Main Military Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and mobile military hospitals. Our Drinks+ […]

This year, the London Wine Fair, the official exhibition partner of Drinks+ and the Wine Travel Awards, brought together more than 400 exhibitors and more than 10,000 visitors. The London Wine Fair’s Net Promoter Score was an exceptional 23.7, which certainly speaks to the success of the event. Top UK agents have already confirmed their return next year. Organizers have announced the next dates, the London Wine Fair 2024 will take place from May 20 to 22 next year.

As the largest beverage trade exhibition in Great Britain, the London Wine Fair has been attracting tens of thousands of buyers from numerous bars, restaurants, supermarkets, independent traders, etc. for more than 40 years. This year, the London Wine Fair was visited by more than 10,000 people and more than 400 exhibitors became its participants. At the London Wine Fair 2023, the awarding ceremony of the WTA winners took place for the second time.

The London Wine Fair’s Net Promoter Score – the metric used by organizations to measure customer loyalty to their brand, product or service – was an exceptional 23.7 compared to the industry average of four. This score, which is 22 points higher than in 2022, speaks for itself about the success of the 2023 event. In response to such a triumph, key industry players have already announced their return to the 2024 event.

Leading UK agents including Hatch Mansfield, Enotria&Coe, ABS Wine Agencies, Felix Solis, Richmond Wine Agencies, Ellis Wines, Friarwood Fine Wine and EWGA have already confirmed they will be back next year. Mentzendorff announced its participation, with other major suppliers preparing to sign up in the coming weeks.

As for “far abroad”, after the effect that the New Zealand Wines pop-up tasting had on the attendees, they confirmed their intention to attend the 2024 event. A large Chinese wine stand will also be present in 2024.

Ronan Sayburn MS, CEO of The Court of Master Sommeliers Europe, will organize and host The Judgment of London at the London Wine Fair 2024. “This will be a reconstruction of the Judgment of Paris of 1976”, when the producers of Bordeaux and California competed with each other. And, as it is known, according to the result of the blind tasting, the wines of California won. The Judgment of Paris was organized by Steven Spurrier, a British wine expert, writer, educator, winemaker and trader. In 2019, Drinks+ editor-in-chief Olga Pinevich-Todoriuk was lucky enough to have had an exclusive interview with this legendary man.

At The Judgment of London, the best Bordeaux and New World estates will compete in blind tastings.

Photo: londonwinefair.com, facebook.com/londonwinefair

This year, the London Wine Fair, the official exhibition partner of Drinks+ and the Wine Travel Awards, brought together more than 400 exhibitors and more than 10,000 visitors. The London Wine Fair’s Net Promoter Score was an exceptional 23.7, which certainly speaks to the success of the event. Top UK agents have already confirmed their […]