Magazine

Languedoc-Roussillon boasts 246,000 hectares under vine and 38 appellations and designations, making it France’s most extensive wine region. Its variety of soil types and grape varieties along with its typical Mediterranean climate shape its myriad vineyard sites, all of which can be leveraged to show off their distinctive features. But how effective is it at doing so?

In the mind’s eye, they are pale-hued, dry and fruity. But in actual fact, they come in multiple iterations. Over less than 100 kilometres, the soil types are totally different with pockets of purple rhyolite, bluish schist or clay-limestone marl dotted across the region. This diversity forms an archipelago of terroirs which do not produce a single rosé but many different rosés.

200 years of history (or almost), 1,969 hectares of vines and a presence in every corner of the globe… Gonzalez Byass is probably the most famous Spanish wine group in the world. What are the secrets of its success? Definitely the expertise built up over the years, but perhaps also a trace of humility and pragmatism.

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.