The Future of Wine

Spaniard Pancho Campo, master of wine and founder of the WineFuture conferences, designed the industry summit to discuss the future of wine, and he is learning quickly. His best conference tweet was directed at all attendees: "Wine professionals need to improve in their public-speaking skills. Also, understand that Q&A is more valued than speeches."

Bravo, Pancho. We couldn't agree more after listening to hundreds if not thousands of dreary presentations over the years. We say death to the multi-winery, sit-down wine tasting (sometimes referred to as death by power point), where anything of value is rarely if ever discussed. In fact, there is no discussion.

I've watched some of the biggest names in wine sit silently for 90 minutes in a roomful of consumers only to be given five minutes to say something perfunctory about their wine with little or no context, while the local moderator waxes on about a region he or she has never set foot in. It's madness.

The reason Robert Parker's sit-down 20-wine Bordeaux tasting in 2009 was so well received by nearly 1,000 tasters is because he knows of what he speaks. Even so, Parker suggested this week that his star is waning and that his influence isn't what it used to be. Maybe, but I'm not sure anyone else in the business could command that $1.1 million of 2009 Bordeaux be assembled and poured in Hong

Kong so he might conduct a tasting and have the room hanging on his every word.

Not everyone loves Parker, which I'm sure is part of his appeal: "Love how RP says he brings 'a sense of democracy' to wine world. One guy deciding what wines are 'good' is democracy?" said winebuzzhk.

Harpers Wine and Spirit editor Richard Siddle reminds all that "social media are not about marketing or sales, it is the best way to tell your story, connect with consumers." Hmmm, there is that "story" word again. Indeed, every wine has a story, and it is made by someone and it comes from somewhere and that story needs to be told.

Gary Vaynerchuck, reigning world champion of social media for wine says, "You don't use social media because it's cheap, but because you're ready to start relationships." True enough, but we also heard that young consumers who don't have a lot of money use social media to engage in wine because it is a cheap way to get information. Vaynerchuck says that in the future you "will get social coupons based on your own socialmedia status from stores based on recommendations."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown, who writes for eRobertParker.com, says if you over simplify messages to consumers you are making a big mistake, which brings us back to the Parker tasting. Most attendees were blown away by his ability to speak knowledgeably about the wines at a level they could understand. To which I say, shouldn't everyone in the wine business be able to do that - in the future?

This week, picks are more about the present. Each is available in government stores and you should have little problem finding them.

Mionetto Il Moscato delle Venezie N/V is a delicious prosecco frizzante that entices with its fresh, crisp, juicy offdry palate and nectarine, honey, spicy, melon, red apple flavours. A fun, fruity-style versatile bubble that, at a mere seven per cent alcohol, can be sipped anytime.

The perfect everyday white for all occasions is the Staete Landt Map Maker Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from Marlborough, New Zealand. So aromatic, its fresh, crisp, juicy, creamy palate is awash in citrus and gooseberry fruit with flecks of smoked jalapeño.

Judging by the flavours of the Cono Sur Visión Pinot Noir 2010, all the Pinot-noir work at Cono Sur is paying off. Wild plums, strawberry jam, smoky, vanilla, spicy, rooty flavours with a bit of blood orange are the attraction. Ripe, round, smooth and suave with good concentration, too. Stock up.

Excellent ripe, Carmenère is hard to find but the Concha y Toro Winemaker's Lot 148 Peumo Vineyard 2009 is one of the best in the market. Rich, round and fresh, its soft grainy tannins boast sweet vanilla espresso and cassis jam flavours with a hint of menthol and tobacco. It is full-on Carmenère at its ripest.

Repeat after me: 2009 Rhone, 2009 Rhone, 2009 Rhone. Brotte Côtes du Rhone Les Brottiers 2009 is, well, a 2009 Rhone that is ripe, full and smooth, with juicy black raspberry jam and meaty, spicy, licorice and roasted-pepper flavours. Fine fruit and balance with intensity. Good value.

It's not an enticing picture, but Shoo Fly Shiraz 2009 is a fun wine to sip and we don't say that about many Oz wines these days. BlackBerry jam, peppery, black cherry and spicy dominate the nose and its fresh and supple palate. A bit warm and jammy, but with fine fruit and finesse all in a ready-to-drink style. Drink now with lamb stew or duck confit.

For those of you interested in more WineFuture Hong Kong 2011 tweets, check out the twitter hash tag #WFHK11.

Mionetto Il Moscato delle Venezie N/V, Veneto, Italy

Price: $18

UPC: 727760501133

Score: 88/100

Remarks: A fun, fruity style sparkler to drink anytime.

Staete Landt Map Maker Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Marlborough, New Zealand

Price: $20

UPC: 00839156000790

Score: 88/100

Remarks: Fresh, crisp, juicy, creamy palate.

Cono Sur Visión Pinot Noir 2010, Valle de Colchagua, Chile

Price: $18

UPC: 7804320056227

Score: 89/100

Remarks: Wild plum, strawberry jam, smoky, rooty flavours.

Concha y Toro Winemaker's Lot 148 Peumo Vineyard 2009, Valle de Rapel, Chile

Price: $19

UPC: 7804320128153

Score: 89/100

Remarks: Excellent, serious Carmenère.

Brotte Côtes du Rhone Les Brottiers 2009, Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, France

Price: $17

UPC: 3217661027797

Score: 88/100

Remarks: Peppery, black licorice, black cherry jam. Good value.

Shoofly Shiraz 2009, South Australia, Australia

Price: $20

UPC: 0767749010010

Score: 88/100

Remarks: Drink now with lamb stew or duck confit.

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Every+wine+story+needs+told/5701596/story.html#ixzz1goukr0wW