What happened in the world of wine in May 2022? Let's see together what we will remember this month for from the point of view of wine news around the world, in a moment still dominated by the increase in costs of raw materials and particular attention to the weather, in a crucial moment for the vineyard. 10 wine facts you need to know.
The top 10 wine news of May 2022
1. FUNDS FOR ITALIAN WINE
May began with the inclusion in the Official Gazette of 25 million for the promotion of Italian wine, available to protection consortia, in application of a decree from the Ministry of Agricultural Policies. The criteria and methods of distribution are also defined.
Promotional campaigns will be eligible for funding, in Italy and abroad, as well as participation in trade fairs and training activities.
Wine News writes about it among others.
2. HIGH PRICES
We continue to talk about high prices, a trend that precedes the conflict in Ukraine but which has intensified with the war. Civilization of drinking attempts to provide a scenario of the consequences .
2. A WINE MUSEUM IN VERONA
The major international magazines have highlighted the fact that Verona is building a large wine museum.
It will be called MUVIN , will be based in the Gallerie Mercatali and is expected by Vinitaly 2025. The project is ambitious: 50 million euros invested, exhibition space and visitor centre, 1000 parking spaces.
Decanter writes about it. In reality it was already talked about in April, at the last Vinitaly - in Italian we read about it in the Gambero Rosso .
3. MOURNING
Vittorio Adriano , an excellent winemaker from the Langhe and a person always with a smile, has passed away at the age of 56. Thanks to the selection of sommelier Nicola Bonera (best sommelier in Italy AIS 2010), we have included his wines in our selections, which have remained in our hearts. And so it was for our customers.
We will truly remember him for the quality of his wine.
You can read about it here , here and here again.
4. HAIL COMPROMISES PRODUCTION
Hail storms struck at the end of May, especially in Northern Italy, causing extensive damage to the vineyards. Coldiretti monitored the effects of the latest wave of bad weather with the traumatic transition from drought to hail, from Piedmont to Lombardy up to Veneto: in some areas production was completely lost.
The most serious cases seem to have been recorded in Veneto: the hail that fell around May 25th puts the vintage at risk in Padua and Asolo, in the Treviso area. It's talked about in various places, including here , here , and here again.
Sardinia had already been hit at the beginning of May, while at the end of the month extensive damage was also recorded in Puglia .
5. A 100 POINT BAROLO
A Barolo received 100 points from Kerin O'Keefe: it is the Barolo DOCG Ravera Riserva “Vigna Elena” 2016 from the Elvio Cogno farm. After all, the vintage is one of the best ever for Barolo.
The notes, translated:
“This breathtaking beauty offers seductive aromas of rose petals, ripe berries, pipe tobacco and camphor. It is an elegantly structured full-bodied wine, and offers delicious flavors of ripe red cherry, blood orange, liquorice and toasted spice. The taut and refined tannins give structure while the beautiful acidity gives it a wonderful balance, energy and tension."
Kerin O'Keefe herself writes about it on Wine Enthusiast .
6. CHAMPAGNE
It's time to take stock for French vignerons. After the difficulties encountered in the vineyard, the 2021 vintage is proving to be very interesting for Champagne. Wine Searcher writes about it.
7. SPAIN OF WINE
The Spain of wine is something to keep an eye on: here it is spoken of as a new Renaissance .
8. SICILY
It is interesting to read in the foreign press how Sicilian wines are seen from the outside: as products of an emerging territory. There is a certain amazement, almost as if this were an unexpected fact.
9. WINE: NATURAL APPROACH
IN CHILE
Chile officially launches its association of natural winemakers, the Chilean Organic Winegrowers (with the unforgettable acronym “COW”). At the moment it brings together 8 producers and it is a good signal, which indicates a new sensitivity for a respectful approach. The Drinks Business writes about it.
AGROFORESTATION
There are many initiatives around the world to restore biodiversity in the vineyard. Wine Enthusiast writes about various agroforestry actions, a concept that translates the English "agroforesty": it involves the creation of a set of mixed agricultural systems, which increase biodiversity by seeing the cultivation of perennial species, together with arable land or pastures, the all in the same surface unit. Agroforestry systems are therefore characterized by ecological interactions between woody trees, crops and livestock. So vineyards, fruit trees, high lawn, animals in the vineyard...
10. ORANGE WINES
For all people who are passionate about macerated wines , a small guide to understand orange wines, in their interesting variability .
