Discovery

In the heart of the French wine region that boasts the largest number of appellations, the emergence of a category other than still wines might come as a surprise. Although they do not really compete with Champagne, Crémants de Bourgogne certainly have quality credentials and excel for their ability to create a loyal following among fine wine enthusiasts.

If one had to introduce Pinotage as a person, it would be a lab baby who defied the odds; a wild child that grew up so fast, it could never be left unsupervised. But once it was finally given the space to be itself, it thrived - through tough conditions, harsh opinions and shifting expectations. It built its personality under pressure, always a little rebellious. Maybe that’s exactly what propelled this misfit to grow into a South African cult icon, now celebrating its 100th birthday.

Chile, Argentina and Uruguay are renewing strategies for promoting their wines in international markets. The heads of their promotion organisations share how they plan to showcase the unique features of their wines worldwide.

Ranked world wine tourism champion at Fibega, the international exhibition for gastronomy tourism, in 2024, Portugal has recently emerged as the top destination for wine tourists. Neighbouring Spain, one of the first European countries to focus on wine tourism and sense its potential, comes hot on its heels. The move makes sound financial sense as the market currently generates several billions of euros in annual revenue…

Verdicchio is the symbol of wine production in the Marche region. The varietal has evolved over time, winning over the palates of connoisseurs and achieving international recognition. Its history is rooted in the heart of Marche which, with its varied soils, rolling hills and maritime and/or mountain climates, offers ideal conditions for it to thrive.

For the past fifteen years or so, Armenian wines have been undergoing a true revival. Viticultural traditions that were forgotten, and sometimes lost, during the Soviet era, are re-emerging with increasing numbers of vineyards coming on-stream and an ever-broadening variety of wine. With its outstanding rocky, mountainous terrain, average elevation of 1,500 metres, diverse micro-climates and rich volcanic soils, Armenia is home to felicitous regions for growing vines.