Author Archives: brusselsdiplomatic

The network of Bourgogne Wine Ambassadors expands

Posted on by Leave a comment
With a network of 60 official Ambassadors in France and in 17 other countries around the world, the BIVB was keen to expand its team. And to do this, 10 training experts – including several Masters of Wine – were selected from around 100 applications around the world. Six came from the USA, one from Canada, and for the first time, successful applicants also came from India, Australia, and Switzerland, counting one apiece.
They traveled across Bourgogne from north to south, widening out their experience and discovering all the richness of the region through theory lessons, landscape readings, estate visits, meetings with professionals, and themed tastings. This intensive training week was capped off with a demanding final exam requiring a high level of understanding.
All 10 applicants passed the test, thus obtaining the coveted title of Official Bourgogne Wines Ambassador. These passionate specialists are now entitled to promote Bourgogne wines in a variety of ways, such as by hosting masterclasses in their territory with market influencers or wine-loving consumers.
Here is a list of our newly-qualified Bourgogne Wine Ambassadors:
•   Mark Shipway (Canada)
•   Marianne Franz (USA)
•   Christian Oggenfuss (USA)
•   Robert Bath (USA)
•   Tanya Morning Star Darling (USA)
•   Liz Palmer (USA)
•   Andrea Pritzker (Australia)
•   Sonal Holland (India)
•   Timothy Magnus (Switzerland)
•   James Barlow (USA)
In October, it will be the turn of France to strengthen its network. A recruitment campaign is underway with the aim of attracting 10 candidates to the Bourgogne region next fall. The following are prerequisites: Being a trainer in the wine sector with a good level of knowledge of Bourgogne wines; having a network of market influencers; and being active on social media.

Linea FRANCESCO CAPETTA Monferrato DOC Chiaretto

Posted on by Leave a comment

The Monferrato DOC Chiaretto is a delicate and pleasant rosé wine obtained from Dolcetto, Barbera, Pinot Noir grapes, to be served preferably fresh (around 10 ° -12 ° C) to enhance the harmonious and balanced taste.

Excellent all year round, it is perfect to accompany fish and white meats.

It is part of the Francesco Capetta line, which offers a selected selection of DOC and DOCG wines: in addition to the Monferrato DOC Chiaretto, it includes the Cortese dell’Alto Monferrato DOC and the red wines Barbera d’Asti DOCG, Barbera del Monferrato DOC, Dolcetto d ‘ Acqui DOC and Dolcetto d’Alba DOC.

Characteristics of Monferrato DOC Chiaretto Capetta:

Grape variety: Dolcetto, Pinot Nero, Barbera

Classification: Denomination of Controlled Origin

Color: Rosé tending to light red

Perfume: Fresh, delicate, pleasantly vinous

Taste: Dry, harmonious and balanced

Serving suggestions: Excellent with dishes based on fish and white meats

Alcohol content: 12% Vol

Serving temperature: 10 ° -12 ° C

The Cave de Prestige 2018 selections are announced!

Posted on by Leave a comment
The awards ceremony for those wines selected for the Bourgogne wines Cave de Prestige was held on Thursday 14 June in Beaune, in the presence of François Labet, President of the BIVB.
This gathering, which has been taking place annually for almost three decades, is both the opportunity to unveil the wines selected for the Cave de Prestige showcase, but also for the President of the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) to deliver a speech. In it, he hailed the quality of the wines, which is improving year-on-year, and reminded the winning producers that their wines will be representing the region over the next 12 months, through the BIVB’s promotional and training activities in France and around the world.

An edition with lots of competition!

In 2018, of the 1,138 samples submitted, 218 cuvées were selected (68% from estates, 9% from cellars, and 23% from négociants), representing 19.2% of the original submissions. This high percentage is a very good indicator of the level of excellence of those wines picked.

The 2016 vintage was the most popular, accounting for 133 wines out of 218. Its quality is incontestable, given the scores obtained.

The BIVB buys all the wines selected for the Cave de Prestige. In 2018, almost 14,500 bottles were purchased, of which 2,500 were presented at the Cité du Vins in Bordeaux.

Among the 134 winning producers were:

•   18 estates, cellars, or maisons included for the first time in the Cave de Prestige
•   34 companies made a return for this edition

Spend summer with the Maison Joseph Drouhin

Posted on by Leave a comment

All summer, Joseph Drouhin is hosting events around Bourgogne wines. You are just a few clicks away from participating!
With something for everyone and every budget (between 45 and 250 euros per person), this is the perfect opportunity to treat yourself and others.

The Maison Joseph Drouhin is not short on ideas when it comes to organizing tastings, offering passionate wine lovers and passing tourists a wide variety of themes:

•   Discovery tasting of the Climats of Bourgogne (27 June and 4 July, 2:00pm to 3:30pm)
•   Visit and tasting: The war, wine, and the Maison Joseph Drouhin (7 September, 3 October, 2:00pm to 5:00pm)
•   Tasting – The Côte de Nuits: Paradise for Pinot Noir (11 July, 10:00am to 11:30am)
•   Aperitif tasting at the Clos des Mouches in Beaune (20 July, 4:00pm to 6:30pm)
•   Chardonnay in all its glory (30 July, 2:00pm to 3:30pm)
•   Pinot Noir Day (17 August, 2:00pm to 3:30pm)
•   “Terroirs Chocolatés” wine and chocolate tasting (24 August, 2:00pm to 3:30pm)
•   Tasting of eight Grand Cru wines (27 August, 10:00am to 11:30am)
•   Dîner des Ducs with tasting and visit to the cellars of the Maison Joseph Drouhin (17 November, 6:00pm)

Please note, many of these events need to be reserved in advance.

Click here to find out more about these events on the Maison Joseph Drouhin website or contact the estate directly at visite@drouhin.com.

The Châteaux de Meursault and Marsannay have obtained level 3 High Environmental Value (HVE) certification

Posted on by One comment
This covers 106 hectares: 67 hectares in Meursault and 39 hectares in Marsannay.
Level 3 is the only level that allows the holder to use the wording “High Environmental Value” and demonstrates an effective commitment to an approach that respects the environment: “Indicators of results relating to biodiversity, phytosanitary strategy, management of fertilization and irrigation”.This certification validates the move towards organic cultivation adopted by the Château de Meursault and the Château de Marsannay. Across the two villages of Meursault and Marsannay, one third of the area under vine is already cultivated according to organic specifications by the Châteaus, “with the aim of having all the vineyards organic within three to five years,” explains Stéphane Follin-Arbelet, Managing Director.

Another major step forward for the Château de Meursault will be the first harvests in 2018 from 8.8 hectares of newly-planted Pinot Noir:
•   1.5 hectares of Corton Grand Cru Les Maréchaudes
•   0.7 hectares of Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru Les Maréchaudes
•   0.8 hectares of Pommard Premier Cru La Platière
•   3 hectares of Pommard La Platière (Village AOC)
•   2.8 hectares of Ladoix Les Chaillots (Village AOC)

The acquisition of these new plots meant fresh investments in the winery, notably the purchase of some oak and stainless-steel vats to vinify the additional must in optimal conditions.

Franciacorta, Camilucci

Posted on by Leave a comment

Passion, research, meticulous attention to detail, an eye to the past but the face towards the future: these are the characteristics of the Camilucci company.
The wine estates is located in the heart of Franciacorta, Italy, in a beautiful hilly area, particularly suitable for viticulture, with vineyards in the Municipalities of Rodengo Saiano, Ome, Monticelli Brusati and Gussago, a few kilometers away from Lake Iseo and Brescia.
Over the years, Stefano Camilucci has made his life an ancient family activity, creating a project that gathers with love and enthusiasm the poetry of his land and projects it with an enlightened slant towards new horizons. A careful, innovative winemaking, aiming at a modern, natural and authentic product. A Franciacorta that seeks aromas, balance and elegance, which marries the drinkability and the satisfaction of the senses. Unique wines, close to their origins, which aim to be remembered.

ÉvoraWine gathers 40 producers and more than 200 Wines of Alentejo

Posted on by Leave a comment

The fifth edition of ÉvoraWine, dedicated to wine lovers, is scheduled for 2 and 3 June, with the presence of 40 producers and more than 200 Alentejo wines for tasting. See here the list of wineries that will be participating.

The event, which is presented as “a true showcase for Wines of Alentejo”, will take place in Praça do Giraldo in Évora and aims to make visitors aware of the best in the Alentejo, from wines, olive oils and other regional products .
The event, according to the promoters, also helps wine producers in the region to promote the new vintages and for visitors to contact producers and winemakers and taste Wines of Alentejo.

In addition to tidbits and musical entertainment, the initiative has commented tastings, initiation courses, debates, showcookings and workshops. Check here the program for the two days.

The initiative counts on several supports, among them of the Alentejo Regional Winegrowing Commission, Regional Entity of Tourism of Alentejo and Ribatejo and Évora City Hall.

Recent Entries »