Decanter May 2020

A rooster’s tale Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy The guardian of the town of Gaiole is a black rooster – gallo nero – crafted in iron by local artisan Fabio Zacchei. The avian sculpture serves as a reminder of Chianti’s ancient roots: legend has it that the crow of such a bird helped Florence to triumph in its long-running territorial dispute with neighbouring Siena over control of the wine region. Today, the Chianti Classico consorzio sports the gallo nero as its symbol in honour of the larger-than-life story. Photograph: Manfred Gottschalk/Alamy Stock Photo…

The art of wine A rooster’s tale Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy The guardian of the town of Gaiole is a black rooster – gallo nero – crafted in iron by local artisan Fabio Zacchei. The avian sculpture serves as a reminder of Chianti’s ancient roots: legend has it that the crow of such a bird helped Florence to triumph in its long-running territorial dispute with neighbouring Siena over control of the wine region. Today, the Chianti Classico consorzio sports the gallo nero as its symbol in honour of the larger-than-life story. Photograph: Manfred Gottschalk/Alamy Stock Photo…

Covid-19 disrupts major wine events Concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus have hit major events in the global wine calendar, with trade fairs and consumer events globally being cancelled or postponed. In France, both the biennial Burgundy wine festival Les Grands Jours de Bourgogne and Bordeaux en primeur week (first taste of the 2019s) were called off in March amid growing restrictions on public gatherings. ‘We cannot today guarantee favourable health and safety conditions for visitors and exhibitors,’ said Raphaël Dubois, association president for Les Grands Jours de Bourgogne. En primeur organiser Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (UGCB) attempted to reassure merchants via email that it is ‘working on solutions that will allow us to taste the 2019 vintage at a later date’. Germany’s ProWein, the wine world’s largest trade show,…

As Decanter went to press, we learned of the death of Michael Broadbent, aged 92. One of the wine world’s most famous names, Michael was a long-time friend of Decanter, and author of our longest-running column, with 433 published over five decades. Multi-award winning author, he also founded and headed up the Christie’s Wine Department. Full obituary and tributes to follow next month. Hemp-infused wine producer Sovereign Vines has announced that it will close due to intervention from US regulators. It stated that, ‘regardless of the fact our wine has no cannabinoids’, federal officials refused to accept its New York State permit to produce the wine. The brand appealed, but said that the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) ‘does not intend to allow hemp extracts in beverages’. Thieves have stolen…

News Month in wine All the important issues affecting you across the globe, compiled by Laura Seal Covid-19 disrupts major wine events Concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus have hit major events in the global wine calendar, with trade fairs and consumer events globally being cancelled or postponed. In France, both the biennial Burgundy wine festival Les Grands Jours de Bourgogne and Bordeaux en primeur week (first taste of the 2019s) were called off in March amid growing restrictions on public gatherings. ‘We cannot today guarantee favourable health and safety conditions for visitors and exhibitors,’ said Raphaël Dubois, association president for Les Grands Jours de Bourgogne. En primeur organiser Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (UGCB) attempted to reassure merchants via email that it is ‘working on solutions…

In brief Stay up to date with the latest wine news on Decanter.com, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter @Decanter ■ As Decanter went to press, we learned of the death of Michael Broadbent, aged 92. One of the wine world’s most famous names, Michael was a long-time friend of Decanter, and author of our longest-running column, with 433 published over five decades. Multi-award winning author, he also founded and headed up the Christie’s Wine Department. Full obituary and tributes to follow next month. ■ Hemp-infused wine producer Sovereign Vines has announced that it will close due to intervention from US regulators. It stated that, ‘regardless of the fact our wine has no cannabinoids’, federal officials refused to accept its New York State permit to produce the wine. The…