Thursday, October 18, 2018
Is Organic Wine trend slowing down?
In 2017 the growth of the organic vineyards is slowing down in many wine regions.
In fact, 2017 records the weakest growth since 2011, + 2%, for a total of 103,000 hectares (16% of the total Italian organic vineyard). In 2016 the annual progression was +23%.
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Friday, October 12, 2018
French wine classification is quite complex
One single word missing (“Classé”) carries a lot of meaning in terms of brand perception and recognition, classification and market price.
But if you are not French it is difficult to keep in mind the difference between Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru (quoted from Wikipedia: “Wines in this category are not seen as being of comparable quality to the Grand Cru Classés”).
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Thursday, October 11, 2018
Blue wine tasted in Singapore
I have read some time ago that in Spain someone was producing a wine blue in color. I thought it is some enologist laboratory experiment and I didn’t expect to find it on the shelves of a Singapore wine shop. Obviously could not resist and I’ve got one bottle (price point helped, only 19 SGD equal to 12 Euro).
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Monday, July 16, 2018
Barbera d’Asti DOCG 2010: 8 years and still well alive
Pleased to be invited by Max and Jessica, we had a nice late dinner on their terrace enjoy a lovely Shanghai alfresco summer night.
After the fist bottle of wine, we open the second one, it supposes to be a technical tasting to evaluate how a simple wine (in this case simple means no wood ageing contribution) could decrease after 8 years.
Very surprised to find out that Barbera is not dead, has not passed its peak, instead it is still well alive, fresh and flavorful.
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Monday, April 2, 2018
Coffee Project 1: roasting
Roasting green coffee beans class - Shanghai, 02 April 2018
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Saturday, September 23, 2017
Interesting Austrian wine tasting
Austria is a small mountainous country in central Europe enjoying a renaissance as a wine-producing nation. It is emerging as a model in quality and innovation, always focusing on clean, clear-cut, impeccable, consumer-friendly wine style.
If only one local grape has to mentioned, it will be the white Gruner Veltliner, the most planted variety (23%) with its clean, crisp, slight aromatic signature. The finest wines come from the famous Wachau, Kamptal and Kremstal regions.
Seven different wines were tasted:
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Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Hema, first Chinese cashless supermarket
Several months we have heard of the innovative Amazon Go, a “prototype grocery store partially-automated, with customers able to purchase products without using a cashier or checkout station” (Wikipedia).
Despite delays in opening of cashierless store, in order to fix glitches in technology that automatically charges customers (The Wall Street Journal), the future ahead is clearly drawn.
Following on the footsteps of cashierless Amazon Go, China now has its own equivalent: the cashless supermarket: we could not resist going and experiencing it.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Serbian wine tasted
For the first time ever a Serbian wine was tasted.
Regent Reserve 2009 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) and Merlot (50%) made by Aleksandrovic winery.
Unexpected surprise, its rich flavors tend towards international taste, lively acidity despite several years ageing.
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Fongyee Walker MW: Italy? Still lots to be done in China!
First Master of Wine in mainland China, winning with her Dragon Phoenix Wine Consulting the title as best WSET school in 2016, educator and judge in the main competitions and Asian tastings, Fongyee Walker is one of the most popular person in the wine industry in China. Follow an excerpt from her interview.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Dorgali, Isalle Cannonau DOC tasting
Nice and intense wine, slightly strong softness due a powerful alcohol content, 3 months second-hand barrel ageing provides very gentle tannins.
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