The first stage of the larger ‘farmstead’ conceived by Ted, Laddie and Chris Hall of Long Meadow Ranch has been completed with the opening of the wine and olive oil tasting room in Saint Helena on December 28th.  The tasting room is located in the historic Logan Ives House, a gothic revival farmhouse originally built in 1874 which has been faithfully restored by the Halls preserving over 90% of the original materials of the site.  Nearing completion are the adjacent open-air market featuring LMR’s organically grown fruits, vegetables, eggs and …

Hong Kong is a small island dependent on imported food and beverages.  The Hong Kongese have the cultural backgrounds and languages of both the Chinese and the British, are sophisticated, well-educated, prosperous and open to experimentation.  In a global market that is in net over-supply, the Hong Kongese have particular demands that make them ideal consumers in today’s global wine market.
 The Hong Konger loves red wine and the major producing countries make a lot of it.  75-80% of wine consumed is red.  While the health benefits of red wine are well-known, the ethnic …

As part of the government’s concerted effort to become Asia’s wine hub, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council hosted the 2nd annual International Wine and Spirits Fair on November 3-5.  Over 500 exhibitors – double the number from last year – from 34 countries and wine regions participated, each hoping to capture a part of the promising Asia market.  All of Asia’s  leading importers were present in full force with France, by far the leading importer by value to both Hong Kong and Mainland, acting as ‘parnter country’ and the …

1st runner-up in red category

Winner in the red category

At the 2nd annual Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, a competition was held for “The Most Appealing Wine Label for Mainland [China] Market.  There were over 1,300 entries from 34 countries and the results I think are telling for producers desiring to enter this market.  The four judges were Mr. Charles Ng, a brand consultant, Mr. Brendan O’Toole, Managing Partner of Summergate Limited one of the most experienced wine importers in China, Mr. Fend Gao, GM of Dynasty Fine Wines and Mr. Jason …

It is warm and slightly muggy tonight in Hong Kong.  One of the great international cities, Hong Kong throbs with the energy of seven million residents and four times that many tourists, in a space of just 1,100 square kilometers.  If you love New York, you will love Hong Kong.  It has a great international airport with a dedicated airport express train that makes just three stops in the right places and once you’re here, the MTR subway, taxis and buses are non-stop and cheap.  It is tax-free zone.  The shopping …

Today’s global wine is market is in net oversupply, but in specific markets, it is still growing.  The US is the world’s leading wine consumer by value and growing.  According to the 2009 Impact Databank, Americans are buying more of the big “brands” – the everyday, fruit-driven, easy-drinking and inexpensive wines.  In Germany, demand exceeds supply by 2 to 1, at average prices of a meager €2.00/liter primarily purchased at discount chains.  Over the past 25 years, demand has shifted from sweeter whites to red wines.  Asia is the fastest growing market and the major …

Chablis, the home of the original un-oaked chardonnay, has always been near the upper limits of vine-growing at the 48th parallel.  It is the classic cool-climate region where spring and autumn frosts are the greatest viticultural risks and vintages really matter.  In addition to its northerly latitude, Chablis’ vineyards lie on both banks of the narrow and cold Sereine River and chilling winds from the Morvan Mountains in Burgundy contribute to the cold.  Vines are trained low to capture as much warmth from the ground as possible and the best sites are on south-facing slopes, up …

German producers have been adapting to market demand – both domestic and export – to drier styles of rieslings of less than 9 grams/liter residual sugar. From about 16% of production in 1985 to about 37% today, dry styles of riesling are definitely in vogue.  Of the 20% of high-quality VDP wines exported, 50% are dry styles. One of the more famous regions for dry rieslings is the Rheingau, but historically, many of the warmer, southern regions such as the Pfalz or Baden have the ability to produce balanced, dry …

The current Fall 2009 special edition of Wine & Spirits Magazine features a story on “Best Land to Grab” highlighting five lesser known areas that have potential to grow fine wine grapes, from England’s limestone coast to the Istria Peninsula in the Adriatic.  But what about investing in a classic wine region that produces world benchmark rieslings?  That would be the Mosel wine region in Germany.  The production costs are high, but the vineyard land is cheap.
Production costs are high due to the steep vineyard slopes of the Mosel some …

Successful wine marketing in today’s modern wine industry centers around value-for-money (low price and high quality), public relations and distribution, all driven by a strong brand.  Ernst Loosen of  Germany’s Mosel wine region delivers on all fronts.  His face and brand are everywhere, whether promoting his wines, riesling wines or opining on climate change.   His riesling wines are exported to 63 countries around the world and in different styles to meet local demand.  Dr. Loosen is widely distributed in the U.S., from retail chains to specialty shops or as exclusive label to the French Laundry …