DAN'S WINE BLOG

2024-11-15

This week we start off with a positive story in these “doom & gloom” times as global warming affects most vine growing regions across the planet.

BHUTAN

Bhutan has been added to the list of countries making wine with its first official grape harvest from 10 hectares of vines in 2023. Other recent additions to the “newbie” winemaking register have been Scandinavian countries.

Bhutan – (Capital Thimphu) is an amazing small (22,000 square kilometres) landlocked country wedged between Nepal to the west Tibet to the north and Bangladesh to the south. It is a cold climate mountainous state where 95% of the workforce are still employed in primary industry. It is officially it is the world’s only Carbon Negative Country.

Vineyards are spreading across the country from the warm valleys to the cool/cold mountainsides, with vines being grown up to 3,000 metres above sea level! Their aim is to reach 1,000 hectares of vines over the next few years. The grape varieties planted so far are, in the Whites- Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Manseng, Vidal, Chenin Blanc, Riesling and the ubiquitous Chardonnay. The reds consist of Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and of course Cabernet Sauvignon.

CHINA

Recent news from China suggests that the younger generation of Chinese who are becoming wine drinkers, appear to be favouring non-conventional packaging over the standard 750ml glass bottle. There is growing demand for casks (bag in box) pouches/sachets and cans. Also growing in popularity are pitchers of just poured wines- to share across the table by the youth.

This trend toward unconventional wine packaging is expected to boost overall wine sales as these young non-conformists encourage their friends to drink with them in their “new-found wine freedom”

AUSTRALIA

First nations wine company Munda Wines run by Wirangu and Kokatha man Paul Vandenberg has started exporting wine to Canada and Malaysia. It is the first indigenous company to export wine. Having reviewed their wines on social media earlier this year, I can assure you that they are truly excellent and well worth trying.

CRUISING

Recent statistics show that the cruising industry has recovered from catastrophe of Covid-19 with an expected 35 million passengers in 2024, and that wine sales on cruise ships are increasing quite considerably as people re-kindle their love affair with the idyllic shipboard life. At the top end of wines, this has been helped along by the proliferation of smaller group cruising and more recently “child free” and even “gambling free” cruises, especially for wealthier, older passengers. Whilst the overall sales have been helped by the increasing number “mega-ships” which cater and appeal more to younger travellers.

Most of the cruise lines will include one or two wines from countries the ship is visiting on that particular trip, however the vast majority of wine is bought on contract from better known wineries so that the passengers feel comfortable with the wine selection available to them.

Have a great week, remember to always #chooseaustralianwine and when possible enjoy #emergingvarieties.

Cheers

Dan T