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News
The year in pictures: 2023
It has been a long and challenging year for the drinks trade, but punctuated with many wonderful moments. Here db rounds-up the many events, tastings and trade fairs which have taken place across 2023.
January
Kylie Minogue visited Château Sainte-Roseline as she continued to promote her wine range. You can read our big interview with Kylie Minogue here. She spoke to db about entering the wine world, her new 0% pink fizz, and exciting plans for the future of Kylie Minogue Wines.
February
db attended a special blending masterclass with Ridgeview winemaker Simon Roberts, part of Bibendum’s Art of Wine event at Battersea Arts Centre.
On Tuesday 7 February, Jascots Wine Merchants held its annual portfolio tasting at Westminster Chapel, where they were joined by over 300 guests from the wine trade. More than 300 wines were available to taste, from producers well-established in the Jascots portfolio such as Bolney Wine Estate and Schloss Johannisberg, plus new names De Trafford, Nativo, and Spier Wine Farm from South Africa, and New Zealand’s Prophet’s Rock, the most recent addition to the company.
The Vinexpo Paris trade show (13-15 February) saw a 41% spike in visitor numbers on its opening day, but Vinexposium CEO Rodolphe Lameyse was keen to stress that size doesn’t always matter most.
Held over Valentine’s Day on 14 February, Lameyse called St Valentine the “patron” of the show, and highlighted the essential role that Vinexpo’s host city plays in its success. “I want Paris to become a rendezvous, a business meeting with additional value,” he said. Continuing, he explained, “We are more than a trade show, a real rendezvous for business people; the wine trade is all about people doing business together.”
March
The Sangiovese Reset returned to London, showcasing a multitude of expressions of one of Italy’s signature red varieties. The event, took place in Lindley Hall, 80 Vincent Square and provided a full-day immersion in Sangiovese-forward wines.
First documented in 1435 near Hochheim, Riesling celebrated its 588th birthday on Monday 13 March, with The Wines of Germany team hosting a birthday party for the trade at the Opera Tavern in Covent Garden.
The 2023 edition of ProWein concluded with 6,000 exhibitors and 49,000 trade visitors flocking to Düsseldorf over the three days of the fair.
This year’s fair promised a great amount, from the return of South African winemakers after two years of travel restrictions, to the arrival of popstar and rosé tycoon Kylie Minogue. Two areas that have been receiving increasing interest in recent years, no- and low-alcohol drinks and alternative packaging, were also represented, the latter in Hall 1’s ‘World of Zero’.
April
db met Ivan Massonnat of Anjou Noir’s Domaine Belargus to discuss how terroir can profoundly alter the flavour profile of Chenin Blanc, and whether the Loire Valley could become a feasible alternative to Burgundy for consumers in search of cooler climate, single varietal wines.
Brun de Vian-Tiran managing director Jean-Louis Brun was presented with the Primum Familiae Vini (PFV) ‘Family is Sustainability’ Prize in a ceremony in Domaine du Clos des Tourelles. The family-run Provençal wool mill was selected due to its “family values, innovation, and creativity,” in the words of PFV chairman Matthieu Perrin (pictured second from the left).
May
db staff writer Louis Thomas headed to the Italian embassy in London on Friday afternoon to attend a reception for the visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobridga, where the pair outlined their ambitions for the future of Italy’s agribusiness sector. To read about the occasion, click here.
This year’s db awards, which, as usual, took place on the second day of the London Wine Fair, were a “milestone event” for the drinks business, as they marked the 20th since the industry accolades were launched in 2003.
And over that time, db has witnessed – and written about – many developments in the trade, reflected in the winners of these annual awards, which are designed to reward excellence in the drinks trade, covering sectors from packaging to retail, logistics to marketing, company management to brand launches, as well as personalities – with honours for the likes of young achiever, along with man and woman of the year trophies.
Read more about the awards here.
The winemaking team at Babylonstoren were joined by db editor-in-chief Patrick Schmitt MW to showcase its rosé, which was the official wine of RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Babylonstoren launched the new 2023 vintage at the event on Monday 22 May this week, using the show for the global unveiling of the new release, which is made from Mourvèdre grown at the property in the western Cape. Here are (L-R): Klaas Stoffberg, Charl Coetzee and Jeanne Pienaar.
June
The great and good of the drinks industry descended on The Orangery in Holland Park on Wednesday evening to enjoy a celebration of our 21st anniversary as a publication. Editor-in-chief Patrick Schmitt MW pleased the crowds with his potted history of the brand, including one or two anecdotes about team members past and present.
Guests enjoyed a selection of excellent wines from Yalumba and Alliance, as well as a Zonin Lemon Spritz, Ty Nant water and Champagne Palmer. Music and magic occurred late into the evening as the sun set on a beautiful event.
A highlight of English Wine Week saw chef-owner of Lympstone Manor, Michael Caines MBE assemble a panel of drinks writers including db’s Douglas Blyde, the former UK and Ireland delegate of Relais and Châteaux (Caines is the incumbent), and the MD and the head winemaker of winery partner, Lyme Bay, to decide the level of dosage for the first release of his property’s Classic Cuvée. Served blind, six samples ranged from zero dosage to nine grams per litre. The majority, including Caines, favoured three grams per litre, though he did not cast a vote.
Although Caines was initially tempted to create a zero-dosage expression, he acknowledged the style’s niche appeal. “It’s like saying my fruit’s better than yours – there’s a lot of that going on.” He also compared dosage to seasoning a dish, in that it can bring harmony and “length”.
On Monday, 25 of Sicilia DOC’s leading producers assembled in London to showcase wines from Italy’s largest region in the grand setting of Westminster’s One Great George Street.
Since establishment in 2011 and the creation of the protecting consorzio in 2012, Sicilia DOC has seen some 7,902 winemakers with 24,000 hectares of vineyards.
The tasting featured more than two dozen producers, ranging from big names to those who should be on consumers’ radars. There was also a masterclass on Sicilia DOC from db editor-in-chief Patrick Schmitt MW. Find out more about the event here.
July
This week saw the tasting of our Global Beer Masters in London, as a collection of expert judges, including db beer editor Jessica Mason, sipped from the finest beers around the world. Look out for the results, but it looks as though there will be some good ones…
Famous for songs such as Livin’ on a Prayer and Bed of Roses, Jon Bon Jovi, his son Jesse Bongiovi and French rugby and winemaker legend Gérard Bertrand landed in London to discuss their Hampton Water rosé.
You can find out all about the news through Louis Thomas’ report here.
August
Staff writer Louis Thomas visited Broglia to investigate how old vines and Cortese’s high acidity enable the creation of age-worthy Gavi di Gavi.
Thomas also headed to Asti DOCG as the Moscato harvest commenced.
After a growing season largely typified by high temperatures, with some incidences of hail causing damage to vines in the region, the harvest began yesterday (24 August) – 10 years ago, it would typically start in September. This year, berry weight is also reportedly 20% lower than usual, but optimism is high for the quality of the wines, as the Asti DOCG Consorzio rigorously and regularly tests the fruit for aroma development (especially regarding Moscato’s all important terpenes) using gas chromatography.
The particular load of grapes pictured had been hand harvested and were sent to Cuvage’s facility.
September
Diageo unveiled the fourth release of the “Prima & Ultima” compilation of vintage, cask-strength single malt Scotch whiskies following a tour of the Royal Academy of Arts’ inner sanctum. Reached via an incongruously contemporary oval lift, the institutional fine arts library is home to such tomes as, beyond a red goatskin cover, “Ruins Of The Palace Of Emperor Diocletian At Spalatro In Dalmatia” by architect Robert Adam, who donated it one month after the RA was founded (11th January 1769) and “Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences”. The title of the latter could also sum up the work of Master Blender, Dr Emma Walker who, with Senior Global Brand Ambassador, Ewan Gunn, showcased remarkable bottlings from the collection in the less antique of aroma Richard Sharp Room below.
The db events team attended the Asda Christmas Event this week at the Hellenic Centre in Marylebone.
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) hosted a ‘Made with Care’ campaign launch event to celebrate the entry into force of the NZ – UK Free Trade Agreement on Wednesday night.
Held at the Waitrose Kings Cross Cookery School this event showcased some of the most exceptional food and drink from New Zealand, led by a menu developed by renowned chef Anna Hansen. A large selection of premium wines, beers including a new and unique manuka honey cocktail, non-alcoholic drinks and new innovations not yet launched within the UK were served.
Riders including db‘s Patrick Schmitt MW have started a 350km weekend charity cycle ride through rolling English wine country – and the participants are looking for your support.
With the aim to raise £20,000 for The Drinks Trust, cyclists are in a fundraising push now as they seek to hit their target, while also preparing for the ordeal, which runs from Friday 29 to Sunday 1 October.
You can read the full story of the ride here.
October
db beer editor Jessica Mason attended the Brewers Congress at the London Design Centre in Islington, hearing from experts across the beer industry. While there, she spoke with John Keeling, former brewing director of Fullers, Smith & Turner, about the challenges the beer industry is facing.
October saw the return of db‘s Wine and Spirits Show to Chelsea Town Hall. The packed-out event was a storming success, with the trade and general public enjoying a collection of Global Masters competition gold and master medallist wines, spirits and beers as well as stalls by producers.
Guests were also able to enjoy masterclasses by Patrick Schmitt MW (pictured above) and a variety of food stalls.
November
db Asia editor Eloise Feilden visited the HK Trade Development Council (TDC) International Wine and Spirits Fair with a delegation from the db asia business.
Beer editor for the drinks business Jessica Mason won a top gong at the British Guild of Beer Writers for Best Beer Business Communicator in 2023. The gold award, which was the result of a series of articles that she wrote for the publication, was presented on Wednesday night during an awards dinner at the Big Penny Social, located on the Blackhorse Beer Mile in Walthamstow.
You can read Mason’s articles that won her the award here.