Brett Hudson’s Post

🍷 Why Do Some Wines Cost $10 and Others $1,000? The Truth About Wine Pricing 🤑🍇 You’re staring at two bottles of wine: One’s $10, the other’s $1,000. They’re both made from grapes, so what’s the deal? Is the expensive one really that much better, or are you just paying for a fancy label? Let’s break it down! 1️⃣ The Grapes: Budget Wines: Made with high-yield grapes grown in bulk. Think big vineyards with tons of vines producing lots of fruit quickly. Luxury Wines: Often made from rare, hand-harvested grapes grown in small batches on prime vineyard real estate. It’s like the difference between fast food and a farm-to-table meal. 2️⃣ The Vineyard: The more exclusive the vineyard, the pricier the wine. Famous regions (like Bordeaux or Napa Valley) command higher prices due to their reputation, history, and perfect grape-growing conditions. ✨ Fun Fact: A plot of land in Napa can sell for millions per acre. That cost is baked into the bottle price! 3️⃣ Production Style: Affordable Wines: Produced in massive quantities using modern machinery to keep costs low. High-End Wines: Made in smaller batches with extra care—like hand-sorting grapes, aging in expensive oak barrels, and following traditional techniques. 4️⃣ Aging: Time = Money Wines aged for years (or decades!) in cellars tie up resources. Add in the cost of oak barrels (some run $1,000+ each), and it’s easy to see why these wines cost more. 5️⃣ Marketing & Prestige: Let’s be real—some wines charge extra for the brand name or exclusivity. Fancy labels, celebrity endorsements, and limited editions can all drive up the price. Is Expensive Always Better? Not necessarily! Plenty of $15-20 bottles taste amazing, especially for everyday drinking. Price doesn’t guarantee you’ll love the wine—it’s all about your personal taste. ✨ Pro Tip: Look for lesser-known regions and smaller producers for great quality at a lower price. You’ll discover hidden gems without breaking the bank! Your Turn🍷 What’s the most you’ve ever spent on a bottle of wine—and was it worth it? Or do you swear by your $10 favorite? Share your stories (and budget-friendly recs!) below. 🍷⬇️ . . #wineambassador #wineprice #napawineclub #davidharmon #certifiedwineinfluencer #winelovers #wineclub #wineinfo #winetip #nftwineclub #wineboss

🍷 Why Do Some Wines Cost $10 and Others $1,000? The Truth About Wine Pricing 🤑🍇 You’re staring at two bottles of wine: One’s $10, the other’s $1,000. They’re both made from grapes, so what’s the deal? Is the expensive one really that much better, or are you just paying for a fancy label? Let’s break it down! 1️⃣ The Grapes: Budget Wines: Made with high-yield grapes grown in bulk. Think big vineyards with tons of vines producing lots of fruit quickly. Luxury Wines: Often made from rare, hand-harvested grapes grown in small batches on prime vineyard real estate. It’s like the difference between fast food and a farm-to-table meal. 2️⃣ The Vineyard: The more exclusive the vineyard, the pricier the wine. Famous regions (like Bordeaux or Napa Valley) command higher prices due to their reputation, history, and perfect grape-growing conditions. ✨ Fun Fact: A plot of land in Napa can sell for millions per acre. That cost is baked into the bottle price! 3️⃣ Production Style: Affordable Wines: Produced in massive quantities using modern machinery to keep costs low. High-End Wines: Made in smaller batches with extra care—like hand-sorting grapes, aging in expensive oak barrels, and following traditional techniques. 4️⃣ Aging: Time = Money Wines aged for years (or decades!) in cellars tie up resources. Add in the cost of oak barrels (some run $1,000+ each), and it’s easy to see why these wines cost more. 5️⃣ Marketing & Prestige: Let’s be real—some wines charge extra for the brand name or exclusivity. Fancy labels, celebrity endorsements, and limited editions can all drive up the price. Is Expensive Always Better? Not necessarily! Plenty of $15-20 bottles taste amazing, especially for everyday drinking. Price doesn’t guarantee you’ll love the wine—it’s all about your personal taste. ✨ Pro Tip: Look for lesser-known regions and smaller producers for great quality at a lower price. You’ll discover hidden gems without breaking the bank! Your Turn🍷 What’s the most you’ve ever spent on a bottle of wine—and was it worth it? Or do you swear by your $10 favorite? Share your stories (and budget-friendly recs!) below. 🍷⬇️ . . #wineambassador #wineprice #napawineclub #davidharmon #certifiedwineinfluencer #winelovers #wineclub #wineinfo #winetip #nftwineclub #wineboss

Marlborough is New Zealand's largest wine region with almost 30,000ha of vines (around 2/3 of the national total). . Marlborough put New Zealand on the international wine stage with its inimitable Sauvignon Blanc in the 1980 shortly after its first commercial vineyards were planted in 1973. . Marlborough has earned a Geographical Indication (GI) since 2018 and has 3 subregions : . 1️⃣ The Southern Valleys were the soils tend to be heavier and contain more clay than other areas of the region. A broad range of varieties are grown according to the merit of each site, with particularly good Pinot Noir and aromatics being produced in the area. . 2️⃣ The Wairau Valley which is characterised by its old and gravely riverbed soils. Various varieties are being grown in this area but they all express a distinctive body and intensity unique to this Valley. . 3️⃣. The Awatere Valley, the southernmost sub-areas, which is a cooler, drier and windier and tend to be a lower yielding are and produces some distinctively bright and aromatic Pinots Noir and Sauvignon Blanc wines. . . . Over 80% of the Marlborough region is planted with Sauvignon Blanc. Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay are the next most planted grape varieties. . . In 2018, the "Appellation Marlborough Wine" was introduced and trademark registered to safeguard Marlborough Wine, initially focused on Sauvignon Blanc, whose purity and flavour intensity has earned it a phenomenal global reputation. . Appellation Marlborough Wine, is the only guarantee a wine is 100% pure Marlborough and is grown from vineyards that are 100% sustainable. All the wines bearing the certification must be bottled in New Zealand. . Today, the appellation has 53 members. . . Since 2021, the region also has an association/society dedicated to the production and protection of sparkling wines produced in Marlborough. This association is called "Methode Marlborough". Criteria for membership is as follows: . ▶️ Wines must be grown, bottled, matured and disgorged in Marlborough . ▶️ Wines must be made using the traditional method of production . ▶️ Wines must be produced with classic sparkling varieties only (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier) . ▶️ Wines must be aged for a minimum of 18 months on lees to the first disgorgement of any batch . . . #sommninja #winestudent #asisomms #courtofmastersommeliers #sommeliere #sommelierlife #sommelierlifestyle #sommeliers #wineeducation #advancedsommelier #wineenthusiast #wineenthusiastlife #winestudy #winestudies #winenthusiasts

CHARDONNAY – THE GLOBE TROTTING GRAPE For most American wine consumers chardonnay,is synonymous with white wine. Internationally this ubiquitous grape variety enjoys an unprecedented popularity. It can be fashioned for different palates and expectations. It is a wine that can smell of oak or offer a full-bodied mouth feel with a high alcohol content, or off dry, or smell of apples/pears with mineral flavours, completely dry and memorable, as in Burgundy’s grand cru quality, but it can also be un-oaked and relatively innocuous. In short it is a chameleon grape! DNA analysis has proved that chardonnay has exactly the same parents as much more acid aligote, gamy and melon de Bourgogne; pinot and gouais blanc. Yet, planted in Cote de Beaune, in Burgundy and in the hands of caring and knowledgeable winemakers, it yields memorable wines. Drinking a well-made Montrachet from a successful vintage is an experience wine aficionados don’t forget easily. Chardonnay grows on all the continents successfully given proper terroir of lime rich soils, and long moderately warm growing seasons. Yet, in Australia, chardonnay ends up with completely different flavours, and mouth feel than in Ontario, or California. It ages well in barrels, but also tastes beguiling without the help of oak and its contribution vanilla flavours, especially if the barrels are made with American oak. Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, West Australia’s Margaret River, and Tasmania produce fine, dry and elegant chardonnays, as do Oregon’s Willamette Valley, California’s Carneros district. Ontario in Canada is home to several outstanding chardonnays. In Europe, outside of France, Alto Adige in Italy is known for its fragrant chardonnays; on high-altitude vineyards it can yield respectable wines. Chardonnay ages differently in barrels made of French oak (Allier, Troncais, Vosges), than in American oak, which contains more vanilla and imparts a completely different mouth feel. There are many wine lovers that slam chardonnay. They invented the term ABV (Anything But Chardonnay) movement, but to no avail. There are two styles of chardonnay – chardonnay of cosmetics and chardonnays of consequence. The chardonnay of cosmetics is fermented with cultivated yeast, in barrels or stainless steel tanks, or “flavoured” with oak chips, chaptalized, acidified, or de-acidified, filtered, or otherwise manipulated. The chardonnay of consequence is made naturally by hand harvesting, triage and using indigenous yeast, aging in French oak barrels of 225 litre capacity, and filtering minimally. The term of flavour is a psychological construct and is based on experience, expectations, emotions, background, ability to recall smells, environment of consumption, the company, and a keen palate. The best way to start tasting chardonnay is to establish a benchmark with the best available from a successful Burgundy vintage, and being under the guidance of an experienced and knowledgeable taster.  

A guide to United Kingdom Wines Regions: - Kent (biggest production of sparkling wines) - Sussex - Hampshire - Essex - Surrey - East Anglia White grape varieties: 1. Chardonnay: Chardonnay is one of the most widely planted white grape varieties in England. It is prized for its versatility, capable of producing still, sparkling, and even dessert wines. English Chardonnay wines often exhibit crisp acidity, bright citrus flavours, and elegant mineral notes. 2. Bacchus: Bacchus has emerged as a signature grape variety for English still white wines. It is known for its aromatic profile, which typically includes notes of elderflower, gooseberry, and citrus, along with refreshing acidity. Bacchus wines are often compared to Sauvignon Blanc but with a distinctive English twist. 3. Ortega: Ortega is a German grape variety that has found success in English vineyards. It produces aromatic white wines with floral and fruity aromas, often reminiscent of peach, apricot, and honeysuckle. Ortega wines are characterized by their medium body, crisp acidity, and gentle sweetness. 4. Seyval Blanc: Seyval Blanc is a hybrid grape variety that is well-suited to cooler climates like those found in England. It is valued for its high yields and resistance to cold temperatures and disease. Seyval Blanc wines typically display citrus and green apple flavours, with a clean, refreshing finish. 5. Pinot Blanc: While less common than Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc is cultivated in some English vineyards, particularly in cooler regions. It produces white wines with delicate aromas of pear, apple, and almond, as well as a rounded mouthfeel and vibrant acidity. Red grape varieties: 1. Pinot Noir: Pinot Noir is the most widely planted red grape variety in England. It thrives in the cool-climate conditions of England, producing elegant and expressive wines with vibrant acidity, red fruit flavours (such as cherry and raspberry), and subtle earthy undertones. English Pinot Noir wines often exhibit a light to medium body and silky texture. 2. Dornfelder: Dornfelder is a German red grape variety that has gained popularity in English vineyards due to its ability to ripen fully in cooler climates. It produces deeply coloured wines with intense fruit flavours, such as blackberry, plum, and cherry, along with soft tannins and a smooth finish. 3. Rondo: Rondo is a hybrid red grape variety developed in Germany and widely planted in England for its resistance to disease and suitability for cool-climate viticulture. It yields wines with dark fruit aromas, notes of spice and herbs, and firm tannins, often reminiscent of wines from northern Rhône or Bordeaux. 4. Regent: Similar to Rondo, Regent is another German red grape variety that has found a niche in English vineyards. It produces wines with bold fruit flavours, such as blackcurrant and plum, as well as hints of pepper and tobacco. Regent wines typically have good structure, moderate acidity, and smooth tannins. #england #wine #uk #region

🍇 Wine Series: Part 4: Spain – A Land of Diversity and Bold Flavors Spain’s winemaking traditions are as diverse as its landscapes, offering everything from crisp whites to powerful reds and world-famous fortified wines. With a wealth of indigenous grapes and distinct regional styles, Spain’s wine culture is both deeply rooted in history and brimming with modern innovation. Let’s explore Spain’s major wine regions and their unique characteristics. Rioja: Spain’s Red Jewel Rioja is celebrated for its structured, elegant reds. • Key Grapes: Tempranillo, often blended with Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo. • Trends: Producers are focusing on single-vineyard wines to showcase terroir, alongside fresher, vibrant styles that complement traditional oak-aged classics. Ribera del Duero: Bold Reds at High Altitudes This region is renowned for its powerful yet balanced reds from high-altitude vineyards. • Key Grapes: Tempranillo (Tinta del País or Tinto Fino). • Trends: Sustainability and organic viticulture are growing, with younger winemakers crafting fresher, fruit-forward styles alongside classic full-bodied reds. Catalonia: A Sparkling Powerhouse and More Home to Cava, Catalonia produces iconic sparkling and still wines. • Key Grapes: Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada for Cava; Garnacha and Carignan for reds. • Trends: Premium Cava (Cava de Paraje Calificado) reflects a focus on quality. Priorat’s complex red blends are gaining acclaim for their bold character. Galicia: Whites of the Atlantic Coast Galicia produces crisp, aromatic whites shaped by its cool, maritime climate. • Key Grapes: Albariño (Rías Baixas), Godello (Valdeorras), and Treixadura. • Trends: Albariño dominates exports, while Godello is emerging as an age-worthy alternative. Organic farming is becoming standard. Andalusia: The Heart of Fortified Wines Andalusia is home to Sherry, one of Spain’s most versatile wines. • Key Grapes: Palomino, Pedro Ximénez, Moscatel. • Trends: Dry styles like Fino and Manzanilla are gaining renewed interest, while dessert Sherries remain popular. Dry table wines are also on the rise. La Mancha: Vast Vineyards and Global Varieties Spain’s largest wine region offers affordability and diversity. • Key Grapes: Airén for whites, Tempranillo for reds, with international varieties like Syrah growing. • Trends: Improved quality and organic practices elevate its reputation, with value-driven wines leading exports. Key Trends Across Spain • Indigenous Revival: Grapes like Mencía (Bierzo) and Godello are gaining recognition. • Sustainability: Organic and biodynamic practices thrive in Catalonia, Ribera del Duero, and Galicia. • Premiumization: Single-vineyard wines and regional subcategories emphasize terroir and craftsmanship. • Diverse Styles: From sparkling Cava to bold reds, Spain’s diversity attracts wine lovers worldwide. 🍷 Which Spanish wine region excites you the most? Stay tuned for Spain’s lesser-known wine regions!

Nice article on value buys in Chianti Classic with some useful recommendations. I've had half of these, so more to try! Thanks SWE for the post

🍇 Wine Series: Part 4: Spain – A Land of Diversity and Bold Flavors Spain’s winemaking traditions are as diverse as its landscapes, offering everything from crisp whites to powerful reds and world-famous fortified wines. With a wealth of indigenous grapes and distinct regional styles, Spain’s wine culture is both deeply rooted in history and brimming with modern innovation. Let’s explore Spain’s major wine regions and their unique characteristics. Rioja: Spain’s Red Jewel Rioja is celebrated for its structured, elegant reds. • Key Grapes: Tempranillo, often blended with Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo. • Trends: Producers are focusing on single-vineyard wines to showcase terroir, alongside fresher, vibrant styles that complement traditional oak-aged classics. Ribera del Duero: Bold Reds at High Altitudes This region is renowned for its powerful yet balanced reds from high-altitude vineyards. • Key Grapes: Tempranillo (Tinta del País or Tinto Fino). • Trends: Sustainability and organic viticulture are growing, with younger winemakers crafting fresher, fruit-forward styles alongside classic full-bodied reds. Catalonia: A Sparkling Powerhouse and More Home to Cava, Catalonia produces iconic sparkling and still wines. • Key Grapes: Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada for Cava; Garnacha and Carignan for reds. • Trends: Premium Cava (Cava de Paraje Calificado) reflects a focus on quality. Priorat’s complex red blends are gaining acclaim for their bold character. Galicia: Whites of the Atlantic Coast Galicia produces crisp, aromatic whites shaped by its cool, maritime climate. • Key Grapes: Albariño (Rías Baixas), Godello (Valdeorras), and Treixadura. • Trends: Albariño dominates exports, while Godello is emerging as an age-worthy alternative. Organic farming is becoming standard. Andalusia: The Heart of Fortified Wines Andalusia is home to Sherry, one of Spain’s most versatile wines. • Key Grapes: Palomino, Pedro Ximénez, Moscatel. • Trends: Dry styles like Fino and Manzanilla are gaining renewed interest, while dessert Sherries remain popular. Dry table wines are also on the rise. La Mancha: Vast Vineyards and Global Varieties Spain’s largest wine region offers affordability and diversity. • Key Grapes: Airén for whites, Tempranillo for reds, with international varieties like Syrah growing. • Trends: Improved quality and organic practices elevate its reputation, with value-driven wines leading exports. Key Trends Across Spain • Indigenous Revival: Grapes like Mencía (Bierzo) and Godello are gaining recognition. • Sustainability: Organic and biodynamic practices thrive in Catalonia, Ribera del Duero, and Galicia. • Premiumization: Single-vineyard wines and regional subcategories emphasize terroir and craftsmanship. • Diverse Styles: From sparkling Cava to bold reds, Spain’s diversity attracts wine lovers worldwide. 🍷 Which Spanish wine region excites you the most? Stay tuned for Spain’s lesser-known wine regions!

The latest WineGB tasting was another huge success with 80 producers, 350+ wines & 600+ visitors.   There are now 1,030 vineyards in the UK, a rise of over 9% in a year, while English & Welsh #wine sales grew by 10% from 2022 to 2023 reaching 8.8m bottles. Winery numbers have risen from 209 to 221 & the total area under vine is now 4,209 hectares, a growth of 123% in 10 years.   The percentage of sales from export is now 8%, doubling in just two years. GB wines are exported to 45 different countries with the top market being Norway, where sales of English still & sparkling wine have risen by 33% in the past year. Japan, USA, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Hong Kong & South Korea are the next largest export markets. WineGB’s Sustainable Wines of Great Britain scheme is one of 29 approved certifications recognised by Sweden’s alcohol monopoly, Systembolaget.   At the tasting, WineGB Chief Executive Nicola Bates said: "Today, we're using this as an opportunity to make a point to government. We're asking for additional support so that we can accelerate our overseas exports."   Many people comment on how expensive English/Welsh wine is. Yet, as I've argued many times, it's an artisanal product & cannot just be compared against mass-market offerings produced at economies of scale simply not possible in the UK.    What does good value mean? Surely £40 for a boutique wine is better value than the same price for a mass-produced, branded name. Companies such as Nyetimber & Gusbourne have always set out to produce premium wines & their prices compare well with top Champagne producers & others.   Chapel Down Group successfully straddles the divides between accessibility, affordability & world-class excellence with a large portfolio of wines at difference price points that include award-winners, such as the superb Kit's Coty range.    Simpsons Wine Estate fabulous Railway Hill Rosé 2023 at £20 & their other wines are priced at levels that justifiably, but not excessively, reflect their high quality. Langham Wine Estate is another case in point. A winery that keeps on improving year on year, their Corallian Classic Cuvée NV is only £34.99 & worth every penny!   My first taste of Leonardslee Family Vineyards was well worth waiting for, particularly the elegant Blanc de Blancs 2020. Also good to discover low-intervention winery, The Wharie Experience, who make beers & ciders too. Emma Rice's first wines made under her own name, Oastbrook Estates Ltd The Grange DIGBY FINE ENGLISH All Angels Vineyard & Oxney Organic make up my selection of highlights.   … and all this came a day after Tim Wildman MW's excellent Brit Nat tasting, showcasing Pét-Nat innovation in England and Wales.   Cherie Spriggs Brad Greatrix MSc MIET Jonathan White Mary Bridges Josh Donaghay-Spire Susie Goldsmith Christian Smith Ruth Simpson America Brewer Nick Brewer Zam Baring Trevor Clough Mark Darley Kristin Syltevik Guillaume Lagger   #englishwine #winebusiness

ANNUAL CHILEAN WINE WALK AROUND TASTING – 2024 Chile, one of South America’s major wine producers, exports most of its wine as the population cannot consume all the fermented juice. Chile’s most famous wines are cabernet sauvignon, syrah, for reds, and sauvignon blanc , chardonnay. Riesling and gewurztraminer also show up as minor varieties. Pinot noir represents only three percent of the total vineyards, but has potential as a masterclass presentation prior to the walk around tasting amply demonstrated. ( A separate article will appear shortly about Chilean pinot noir in this space). Sauvignon blanc and chardonnay play an important tole in Chile’s wine industry. Chile’s sauvignon blanc is actually sauvignonass aka tokai friulano or sauvignon vert, which lacks the appealing aromatic and piercing acidity of the true sauvignon blanc. This year, wineries collectively decided to present sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, and blends thereof and a few syrah varietal at very appealing prices. This was done on purpose as wine consumption worldwide has declined by about three percent in 2023 and the inflation which partially was responsible for. The venue was well chosen ( 1 King Street west just above the TTC), and looked stately. The food on the other hand was less appealing, lacking empanadas, and other Chilean specialties, which I remember from previous annual tastings. One thing that bothered me was the noise. I could not converse without forcing myself to shout, and trying to decipher what my interlocutor was saying. I tasted only a few white wines, and concentrated on reds. My recommendations are: Coyam, 2021, Emiliana $ 29.95 contact tlongman@pmcanada.comtlongman@pmcanada.com Apalta, Montes $ 67.95 aproudhon@profilewinegroup.com Intriga by Montes, 2022, Mont Gras $ 23.95 dmarisco@chartonhobbs.com La Piu Belle, 2021, Vina VIK $ 135.00 VIK, 220, Vina VIK $ 250.00 Montes Folly Syrah, 2020, Montes $ 90.00 available at Vintages Cru Truguielmu, 2019, Garage Wine Co. $ 71.25 Available at Vintages eric.persi@baccoimports.com Selected Vineyards Carmenere, 2022, 1865 $ 19.95 Vintages