▻ Omnibus XXXVI
Episode Summary:-
“Hubble bubble, toil and trouble” comes to mind this month, as we bring you the latest news from the wine world. Threats of tariffs are creating chaos in the wine world. In Canada, U.S. wine has been taken off the shelves, whilst the threat from the U.S. of 200% tariffs on European wine has created deep fear, not only amongst European producers, but also U.S. importers, distributors and restaurants, who will also be affected, along with many other ancillary businesses down the line.
Despite the doom and gloom, Sarah Kemp reports that the Wine Paris trade show was an outstanding success. One of the reasons was the location, everyone was happy to be in Paris, with a wide choice of hotels and great restaurants. “There was a real buzz,” Sarah reports, as she discusses how she sees it taking over from Prowein as the leading international wine trade fair.
One of the most talked-about events at Wine Paris was the launch of the new wine, Grange La Chapelle, a blend of 50% of Australia’s most iconic wine, Penfold’s Grange, and 50% from the Rhone’s famous La Chapelle. It’s not often John Stimpfig and Sarah argue, but they have different views on the launch. John believes it puts a spotlight on Syrah/Shiraz, whilst Sarah argues she sees no justification for flying grapes to Australia. Price is also an issue for Sarah, over £2,500 for a bottle of the first vintage, more than some of the world’s greatest wines, including Château Latour 1959 and Château Haut Brion 1989. Expect this argument to run and run.
On the other hanbd, there’s more agreeable good news, on innovative developments to help protect grapes from smoke taint. John looks at three trials going on. The first is from Washington State University, who are developing a barrier spray which can be washed off once the threat of smoke taint has passed. Over in Australia, La Trobe University in the State of Victoria have developed an early-warning system for smoke exposure in vineyards. Sensors track the smoke and remotely advise growers of the likelihood of smoke taint, as it has been discovered that it takes more smoke to cause smoke taint than was originally thought. Perhaps the most extraordinary technique is “Firedome,” an Israeli-designed automatic satellite defence system, which directs 12-gallon capsules of fire retardant at the fire and then uses Artificial intelligence and cameras to automatically target any embers that are left.
John and Elin look back on the lives of Peter Max Sichel, who died at the age of 102. He had the most extraordinary life, launching Blue Num as a brand after a career as a spy. We also recently lost Martine Saunier, the first woman in America to import Burgundy into the US, Don Bryant of Bryant Family Vineyards and Bill Blatch, the beloved Brit who was at the heart of Bordeaux, and was Sauternes biggest champion.
There is good news this month: Jancis Robinson posted on her website, “Vintners’ Tales,” the 10-minute TV episodes that she recorded in the 1990s. Both John and Sarah agree they are gems, and well worth watching, with some of the wine world’s greatest characters, including Michael Broadbent and Bill Baker.
Elin McCoy explains the effect of Trump’s tariffs on the wine industry “What he is doing with tariffs is very, very bad news for the wine world,” she says as she discusses the effect on producers, distributors and consumers. Italy, for example, last year shipped 1.1 billion euros worth of wine to the US, with 28% of Tuscany’s exports heading to America. There are no winners here.
The only thing to improve Elin’s mood is the annual highly sought-after invitation to the latest vintage of Domaine de la Romanée Conti. She reports the 2022 is terrific, and names La Tâche as her wine of the tasting. A bright spot in a dark world.
Running Order:-
-
0.00 – 11.50
“Bravo, Wine Paris, an outstanding success.” – Sarah Kemp
– Wine Paris is voted a huge success by the wine industry.
– The launch of Grange La Chapelle causes John and Sarah’s first argument. -
11.50 – 28.29
“The love we have for Burgundy in the US was really started by Martine Saunier.” – Elin McCoy
– Three major trials to combat smoke taint.
– John Stimpfig looks back on the life of Bill Blatch, champion of Sauternes. -
28.29 – 01.04
”What he is doing with tariffs is very, very bad for the wine industry. – Elin McCoy
– Elin looks back on the life of Peter Max Sichel, Martine Saunier and Don Bryant.
– How US tariffs are affecting Canada.
– The potential impact of the threatened 200% tariffs on European wine .
– Domaine de la Romanée- Conti 2022 tasting.
Elin McCoy reports on Trump’s tariffs, and the effect they are having on the industry, while John Stimpfig discusses the exciting new developments on combating smoke taint in grapes. Plus John and Sarah Kemp argue over Grange La Chapelle. Publicity stunt or a welcome spotlight on Syrah/Shiraz?