International briefs

Rioja clamps down on Basque wineries

Rioja has stepped up an aggressive campaign to “protect” itself against impending new Basque wine appellation, leaving many growers aggrieved and crying foul, reported Wine-Searcher. “Undoubtedly, these new rules stem from a sense of animosity and resentment,” says Gonzalo Saenz de Samaniego, enologist and director at Bodegas Ostatu, a producer which has been making wines in the village of Samaniego –which falls within Rioja Alavesa and the Basque Country – in Northern Spain, since the 16th Century.

An evolving consumer base for Germany’s wine market

With a solidly high per-capita consumption and a broad base of wine drinkers – one third of the entire population drink wine at least once a week – the German wine market has been a steady source of revenue for domestic and foreign producers for decades. The country’s wine market benefits from a loyal core user base that has a keen eye for value for money. However, Wine Intelligence revealed that changing demographics mean wine producers may need to increasingly focus on innovation to retain consumer interest.

Chile vintners go potty for compost

Producers in the South American country are getting giddy over compost, and with good reason. With climate change transforming Chile’s wine regions, sustainability is the hot word on everyone’s lips, according to the Drinks Business. From bountiful biological corridors and biodynamic soils to conserving water, winemakers are taking action now to secure their future.

Exchange rates unlikely to impact wine prices

As the value of the euro, relative to the dollar, dropped to historic lows, wine industry executives have started to wonder if this decrease will help mitigate some of the other rising costs of importing wine in the US. This is the first time in two decades that the dollar has basically hit value parity with the euro. Surprisingly, many key players said that the fluctuation of exchange rates won’t make much of a difference in the cost of European wines in the US, because of the recession, shipping expenses and other challenges, accroding to a report by Wine-Searcher.

Early harvest takes Bordeaux winegrowers by surprise

Bordeaux winegrowers began harvesting their white grapes and fruit designed for Crémants on 16 August. “They had never harvested so early”, says Pascal Hénot, director of the Enosens Coutras wine consultancy centre, told Vitisphere. Although water stress did not cause ripening to stall, or at least only on rare occasions, it did penalise fruit growth.

Chardonnay gaining ground in Pinot country

“We are Pinot Noir.” The statement, superimposed on expansive vineyard drone footage at the Willamette Valley Wineries Association’s website, declares Pinot reigns supreme. But what about white wine? In Burgundy, France, the answer is Chardonnay. Could the same soon be equally true in the Willamette Valley? asked Oregon Wine Press.