Insights

An inside look at the Washington DC ontrade

Washington, DC, seat of the federal government for the US, is an autonomous district, and as such it is unencumbered from certain state regulations, notably those which influence the import and distribution of alcohol — a twist that has helped create one of the nation’s most diverse and creative beverage scenes. The mix of universities and government representatives (and lobbyists in tow) keeps the District’s demographics skewed young, intelligent, affluent and out on the town, factors that no doubt have contributed to DC leading the nation in wine consumption per capita, and by a good margin. Scott Saunders speaks to wine scene representatives.

A snapshot of Italy’s bulk wine

Italy is the world’s largest producer of bulk wine, making it exquisitely sensitive to market trends. Broker Luigino Lazzaretto looks at how the market is evolving.

Bull market for US wine sales over

A stronger US dollar, changing tastes, and the fickleness of Millennials means that the US domestic industry is going to have to fight harder for market share. Leslie Gevirtz reports.

Predicting the future

Column - Robert Joseph

Wine Trends in San Francisco

San Francisco is something of a cultural beacon to the US, driving trends that impact the rest of the nation in all aspects, and its proximity to the North Coast American Viticultural Area gives the city’s influence on wine trends extra clout. Grapes on the rise, cellar management refinement, shifting retail demographics, and a winegrowing movement — Scott Saunders gives a glimpse of what’s going on in The City by the Bay.

South Africa turns a corner

Critics have been raving about the quality of South African wines of late, and yet prices are still being affected by post-apartheid-era issues, says Michael Fridjhon.

Spain’s green shoots

The Spanish wine sector suffered a huge blow in 2007 and 2008, says Patricia Langton. But it pushed the country to the export markets, and its efforts are paying off.

The harsh reality

Column - Robert Joseph

Perspectives - Austin

Austin is the centre of government for the state of Texas and home to one of the nation’s largest universities, but it wasn’t until the technology boom of the ‘90s that this once semi-sleepy capital transformed into the bustling cultural epicentre that it is now. Austin is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US, and firms such as Dell, IBM, Apple and others ensure this population boom is intelligent, creative and well-moneyed — qualities that do wonders for a city’s culinary scene. Wine is along for the ride, of course, and the evidence is everywhere. City wine lists eschew old standards and instead present the interesting and unknown, and Texas’s own wine-production industry is rejuvenated and refocused. Here, three of Austin’s finest share what’s going on with Scott Saunders.

Moldovan wine politics

Moldova, a country with Romania on one side and Ukraine on the other, is caught between the politics of east and west. Robert Joseph was there when some of the pressure began to show.

Bright spot in the gloom

South Africa’s wines have been winning rave reviews from top critics recently. Yet the wine trade’s success is partly because the government pays it no attention, suggests Michael Fridjhon.