BKWine TV: [E] Interview with Poliziano winemaker Fabio Marchi

Interview with winemaker Fabio Marchi at Poliziano winery in Montepulciano (DOCG Vino Nobile de Montepulciano). Fabio talks about Poliziano's style of wine making and about the tremendously successful 2007 vintage when both Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet ripened perfectly in the vineyards. Azienda Agricola Carletti Poliziano is one of the top wine estates in Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy.

By BKWine, http://www.bkwine.com.



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BKWine TV: A short visual visit to V Innocenti winery in Montepulciano

A short visual visit to Cantine Vittorio Innocenti (with the owner and winemaker of the same name) in Montefollonico. Innocenti makes Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Rossi di Montalcino, the fabled sweet wine Vin Santo and a range of other wines. We visit his amazing treasure chest of barrel aging Vin Santo in the cellar and see some breathtaking views from the terrace outside winery. Cantine Vittorio Innocenti, Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy.

By BKWine, http://www.bkwine.com.



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VDQS to disappear

VDQS (Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure) will cease to exist as a classification. VDQS is a not very well know and little used category that is placed between Appellation Controlée (the highest group) and Vins de Pays. It has often functioned as a waiting room for regions aiming at becoming AOC. France has now decided to eliminate this category entirely by 2011, perhaps since it is in reality little used. Current VDQS districts will have to choose between (trying to become) AOC, with corresponding stricter rules, or Vin de Pays.

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BKWine TV: Travelling in Tuscan Wine Country

We take you on a short virtual visit to the wine country of Tuscany. This is where you find the delicious wines from Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino and many more. We show you some views of the vineyards and the amazing landscape, a visit to a wine cellar, a virtual tasting of the wines. A taste of some of the gastronomic specialties, and finally a few glimpses from Florence with the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio on the Arno.

By BKWine, http://www.bkwine.com.



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Mouton-Rothschild 2005 designed by Guiseppe Penone

Each year, since 1945, a new artist is chosen to decorate the label of the Mouton-Rothschild bottle. The latest vintage to be released, 2005, will be carrying a ‘top banner’ (to speak in internet terminology) drawn by the Italian artist Guiseppe Penone, sometimes categorized in the Arte Povera movement. See the label here. vinimarket.com

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BKWine TV: A visual vist to Candialle Az Agr in Chianti

A short visual visit to the Candialle Azienda Agricola winery and vineyard in Chianty, Tuscany, Italy.

By BKWine, http://www.bkwine.com.



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French wine shows: Millesime Bio, Loire & VinSud

January and February is a busy time for the professional visitor to wine shows. First out is Millesime Bio, January 28-30 in Perpignan, a wine fair focusing on organic wine (ok, ok, wine from organically grown grapes): www.millesime-bio.com. Then you have Le Salon des Vins de la Loire, essential if you want to get a deep insight into what’s happening in the Loire valley: February 4-6 in Anger: www.salondesvinsdeloire.com. This is followed by ViniSud. Even if it has a focus on wines from the south of France (Languedoc-Roussillon, Rhône, Provence, Corsica, Sud-Ouest…) they also present numerous producers from other Mediterranean countries: Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece,… In Montpellier February 18-20: www.vinisud.com Book your flights now!

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BKWine TV: A short visual visit to Villa Cafaggio

A short visit to the Chianti wine producer Villa Cafaggio in Tuscany with a nice lunch tasting al fresco and a view over the vineyards. Villa Cafaggio, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy.

By BKWine, http://www.bkwine.com.



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Vins Rares Peter Thustrup sold to Everget Capital

Peter Thustrup has for many years been one of the leading merchants and traders in rare and exclusive wines through his company Vins Rares Peter Thustrup. Originally from the cosmetics industry he Started VRPT in the early 80s as an extension of his hobby and passion for fine wines. VRPT has now been acquired by Everget Capital who also owns the Paris wine shop Legrand Filles & Fils and a parallel wine trading and wholesale business.

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BKWine TV: Mechanical harvest at Isole e Olena

Harvest at Isole e Olena winery in Chianti, Tuscany. Harvesting the grapes with a tractor - mechanical harvest machine.

You can see the ripe grape bunches in the vineyard before harvest and the naked grape stems that remain after the harvester has passed.

In the vineyard in Chianti, Tuscany, Italy.
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Machine a vendanger pour les vendanges chez le vignoble Isole e Olena a Toscane en Italie.
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EU reform of agricultural wine polices agreed, but watered down

It was a weakened reform that was agreed with the agricultural ministers just before Christmas. Hardly cause for celebrating with a bottle of champagne, except for the champagne producers and other northern winegrowing regions who had argued for continued permission to add sugar to the grape must (chaptalisation) to compensate for weak musts – and won the argument. Other aspects of the reform: grubbing up of vines will continue but less than proposed (170,000 ha instead of 400,000 ha). Possibilities to specify grape varieties and vintage on the label on wines without a specific geographic provenance (or where it is not permitted to indicate the provenance on the label). More budget to promote EU wines (but not within the EU, of course, where the lobby is rather for ad band on wine). Less restrictions on new plantings of vines. Etc. Perhaps the reform could have used a bit of sugar in the brew to make it less watered down. iht.com

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Martin Scorsese makes commercial for Freixenet with Hitchcock theme

Martin Scorsese Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The Departed…) has made a commercial (advert) film for the big Spanish cava producer Freixenet. The film stars Scorsese himself and tells the story of a lost and found script for a never-made Hitchcock film called The Key to Reserva. Scorsese decides to make a film from the found Hitchcock script. But… one page is missing! What happens? Lots of references to old movies for the film buff to enjoy. The 10 minute long film can of course be viewed on YouTube

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Germany harvests ice wine

On November 18-19 weather was cold enough in Germany to harvest the famed ice wine, Eiswein. 1500 l Riesling and 1200 l Pinot Noir (!) were harvested in freezing weather in Baden. Rheingau, Nahe, and Franken also made some ice wine, as well as small quantities in Mosel. This years abundant German harvest made more growers leave some grapes on the vines in the hope of having the possibility to make some of the exclusive Eiswein. wein-plus.com

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BKWine TV: [F] Interview : Domaine Cauhape, Henri Ramonteu, Jurancon

Interview with the winemaker Henri Ramonteu of Domaine de Cauhapé in Jurançon, near Pau and Biarritz, on the edge of Spain, whose winery and vineyards are in the south west of France (Sud-Ouest). Henri talks about his wines and how he makes wine. And about the unique grape varieties Petit and Gros Manseng.

By BKWine, http://www.bkwine.com.

Language is French.

Entretien avec le vigneron Domique Andrian du Domaine du Haut Campagnau à -du-Gers dans le Gers, Côtes de Gascogne. Dominique nous parle de ses vins et de son domaine.



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2007 smallest harvest since 2000

The latest statistics from SCEES shows that 2007 will be the smallest harvest in France since 2000. Only 47.1 M hl will be produced. The decline is biggest for Vin de Table in Languedoc (due to dry weather) and in the cognac producing region (due to bad weather and rain). In the northern region (Champagne, Alsace, Bourgogne) production is on the contrary rising. vinimarket.com

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BKWine TV: [F] Domaine Haut Campagnau, Dominique Andrian, Cts Gascogne

Interview with the winemaker Dominique Andrian of Domaine du Haut Campagnau in the Montréal-du-Gers in the Gers region, Côtes de Gascogne, whose winery and vineyards are in the south west of France (Sud-Ouest). Dominique talks about his wines and how he makes wine.

By BKWine, http://www.bkwine.com.

Language is French.

Entretien avec le vigneron Domique Andrian du Domaine du Haut Campagnau à -du-Gers dans le Gers, Côtes de Gascogne. Dominique nous parle de ses vins et de son domaine.


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Texas fifth biggest grape grower and wine maker

Unexpectedly perhaps Texas is according to the latest statistics the fifth biggest grape grower and wine maker state in the US according to a new report by the Grape Growers Association. They have 3,700 acres (1500 ha) of vineyards owned by 220 family wineries (and presumably quite a bit of table grape production in addition). Most vineyards are located in Texas Hill county that, according to WilsonCountyNews.com, is similar to Italy and France. They make wine from Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Riesling, Viognier and even from strawberries. Read more: wilsoncountynews.com

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BKWine TV: [F] Domaine des Verdots, David Fourtout, Bergerac

Interview with the winemaker David Fourtout of Domaine des Verdots whose winery and vineyards are in Bergerac, west of Bordeaux, in the south west of France (Sud-Ouest)

David talks about his wines and how he makes wine.

By BKWine, http://www.bkwine.com.

Language is French.

Entretien avec le vigneron David Fourtout du vignoble Domaine des Verdots à Gaillac. David nous parle de ses vins son domaine.



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A tour around the world in wine

“Alex” used to be store manager at an Oddbins wine shop branch in England. In August he left and embarked on a tour around the world in wine. He is travelling from one winery to the next, discovering many for away wine regions and wine makers. All along his journey he continually updates his blog (winetraveller.net) with what he is doing now, where he is and what wines he’s tasting. So you can follow Alex around the world in a virtual tour. In his latest post (January 6) he is at a winery in Yarra Valley in Australia. Read more winetraveller.net

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V&S Vin & Sprit to be sold at auction

The Swedish finance ministry has confirmed that V&S Vin & Sprit will be sold. V&S is one of the world’s biggest spirits companies, owning the Absolut Vodka brand, and is currently a state owned company. It has also been confirmed that it will be sold to the bidder offering the best price and the best overall conditions for the deal. The transaction is expected to be finalized in 2008. Expected bidders are e.g. Pernod Ricard, Fortune Brands, Bacardi, Diageo as well as venture capital funds.

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