The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia by National Geographic Books is catalyst for the innovative global wine exploration
Virtual Wine Exploration Goes Global
August 31, 2020 (Los Angeles, Calif.) – The SOMM Journal announced the details of its first-of-a-kind virtual global wine tasting, the partners involved in the inaugural presentation, and eight wineries from around the world selected to participate in the September 24 presentation, “Unique Regions of the World.” “The magnitude of this series is possible due in part to our leading industry colleagues National Geographic Books, SommCon for production, with BottleTribe and Tastry facilitating e-commerce,” said Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Meridith May. Enthusiasts can register for live or on demand sessions, at no cost, and purchase wines at GeoDigestClub.com.
There is a diversity of flavor and style that come from one-of-a-kind places, unique landscapes, soils, micro-climates and traditions yielding inimitable wine. We have invited eight winemakers from diverse parts of the planet to come together to show off wines that leave no doubt of their provenance. We may still be locked down and awaiting vaccine, but here’s an antidote for wanderlust,” said May.
The debut webinar, “Unique Regions of the World,” will be held on September 24, 2020: Juliette Monmousseau, CEO, of Bouvet-Ladubay in the fertile Loire Valley will introduce a lush aperitif with a bottle fermented sparkler made from 100% Cabernet Franc. From Germany’s Rheingau to a historic castle where only Riesling has been cultivated for over 300 years, Estate Manager/Managing Director, Stefan Doktor, of Schloss Johannisberg will share a classic dry Riesling. From the windswept sandy soils of Sardinia’s southern coast, closer to Tunisia than its national capital of Rome, we’ll taste the unique Carignano with Winemaking Consultant, Giorgio Marone, of Agricola Punica. From the new world we will see how California Cabernets can taste worlds apart when grown only 250 miles away. From Napa, Director of Winemaking, Ralf Holdenried, will introduce Black Stallion Estate Winery. From Paso Robles, Director of Winemaking, Steve Peck will share their Signature collection. Down the cool Pacific to Chile’s Cachapoal Valley we’ll taste a blend of five red French varieties grown in the foothills of the Andes, called the “Golden Place” by the indigenous Mapuche. Chief Winemaker, Christian Vallej, of VIK Wine will showcase Milla Cala. In Australia’s McLaren Vale,Winemaker & Joint Managing Director, Richard Angove, Angove Family Winemakers will dive into the deep purple hues of a single vineyard Shiraz. And from Europe’s Atlantic coast, CEO, Jorge Rosas, Ramos Pinto, will take participants to the steep slopes of the Douro with a thoroughly unexpected flavor from one of Porto’s most historic producers with the Duas Quintas Douro wine.
Future presentation will include October 22: Domestic Bliss – California, Oregon & Washington; November 19: Champagne or Bordeaux – Choose your Passion; December 16: The Southern Hemisphere – From Down Under to the Top of the Andes; January 21: An Exploration of Renowned Single Vineyards; February 18: Technique or Terroir – Is It Production or Nature That Make These Wines Great?; March 18: Italy – North to South; April 22: Luxury from Remarkable Sites; May 20: A World of Bordeaux Blends,and June 24: Western Europe.
The live virtual tastings will be held at 9AM PST, 12PM EST, and 6PM Central Europe on the respective dates, and available on demand, at no cost. Oenophiles can register and purchase the wine and book at GeoDigestClub.com.
Qualified media may request wine samples, which will be made available at the discretion of each winery.
ABOUT THE SOMM JOURNAL
The SOMM Journal is written by and for wine and beverage industry professionals. Owned by Meridith May, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, The SOMM Journal broadens both emerging and veteran industry professionals’ understanding of the business. Departments cover top restaurants’ wine and mixology programs; in-depth profiles of the world’s wine regions; industry trends and technology; and exploration of current issues that most concern sommeliers. The SOMM Journal is available digitally online and the print edition, which is free to trade, is distributed nationally.
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Media Contact:
Linda Sanpei
805.550.9150