2012 BRAZIL WINE REPORT--Birthplace of Luiz Alberto forwarded by Philip S, Kampe

	Issue 1 Volume 2 August 2012 The 2012 Vintage: Top Three of Last Fifty Years According to Embrapa, Brazil's Grape and Wine Research Institute, the 2012 harvest shows exceptional promise with quality equivalent to the great vintages of 1991 and 2005. This is especially true in Serra Gaucha, Campos de Cima da Serra, Campanha and Serra do Sudeste in Rio Grande do Sul and Planalto Catarinense in Santa Catarina, regions representing 90% of Brazil's total wine production. Celito Guerra, top researcher at Embrapa, considers the 2012 harvest in Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina to be among the top three of the last 50 years, attributing success to the presence of the La Niña – a climatic phenomenon which normally occurs in alternate years. "This season was a filled with sunlight, low humidity and rainfall and exceptional thermal amplitude, resulting in greater maturation of grapes on the vine." says Guerra. Jose Fernando da Silva Protas, Embrapa researcher, states "this vintage combines exceptional climatic behavior with new vineyard management techniques and state of the art technology. The expected result is wines with a delicate balance of sugar and acidity; fresh fruit aromas (white wines) and good color and tannins (red wines)". According to Ibravin (Brazilian Wine Institute), this harvest will produce an estimated yield of 1,534 million pounds – enough to produce 327 million bottles of wine in Rio Grande do Sul. And, "while the losses suffered as a result of hail storms were measurable, they were off-set by the increase in cultivated area over the past several years" states Alceu Dalla Molle, President of Ibravin's Advisory Board.	2012 Harvest Report Regional Vintages There are particularities for each wine-producing region in the country. For a 2012 harvest report specific to each region, click the hotlinks below: Serra Gaúcha The favorable climatic conditions of 2012 and the new vineyard management techniques applied by producers resulted in the production of high quality fruit. Serra do Sudeste The 2012 vintage in Serra do Sudeste was exceptional. Campanha Aromatic richness, a balanced palate, moderate acidity and slightly astringent tannins describe 2012 vintage wines produced in the region of Campanha. Planalto Catarinense Planalto Catarinense is comprised of high altitude vineyards that are largely influenced by thermal amplitude. Vale do São Francisco Producing two harvests a year and at 9 degrees latitude, this unique wine region is the world's closest to the Equator. The climate is semi-arid with minimal rainfall, with cycles ranging from 120 to 130 days.

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THINK French Wine from Languendoc and Think GERARD BERTRAND by Philip S. Kampe

“To succeed in the Languendoc region of southern France, you need a clear understanding of the region and its visible and not-so-visible potential.  A true example is Tautavel or La Liviniere where we were pioneers. You need a clear strategy to become the leader in premium wines in the south of France. Ten or fifteen years ago, selling a bottle of wine was 60% a matter of quality. Today, it is one third quality, one third distribution network and one third marketing” 
Winegrower Gerard Bertrand sums up the wine scene  in France and speaks for the rest of the producers worldwide.

Gerard inherited his passion for wine and his love for the Languendoc region from his father, Georges. His father was a pioneer in creating and marketing super-premium wines from the region.
Gerard Bertrand, at age ten, had his first experience in harvesting and winemaking with his father. At age twenty-two, Gerard took over the family business after his father, Georges, untimely death.
When Gerard turned twenty-seven, he purchased Domaine Cigalus and Chateau Laville Bertrou , adding significant properties to his winemaking portfolio.
Today, Gerard owns six  properties in the Languendoc-Rousillion region and has over 900 acres of vineyards.

In addition to his vineyards, Gerard partners with over forty growers and over ten co-ops to source grapes. His wines range from affordable to collectable.
In 2002, at age thirty-seven, Gerard Bertrand purchased Chateau I’Hospitalet and started to develop wine tourism on his property.
His vision has paid off.
Chateau I’Hospitalet sits within and is surrounded by 2500 acres of trees, flowers and vineyards. Committed to sustainability and ECO friendly agricultural practices, Chateau I’Hospitalet has been deemed as a “Carbon Neutral Estate”—a symbol that designates harmony between nature and the environment.

This is a very rare award and is cherished by Gerard Bertrand.

The Chateau has thirty-eight guest rooms , a bar and lounge and a wine tasting cellar . Since 2004, the estate hosts an annual International Jazz Festival.

Chateau I’Hospitalet, located near Narbonne, overlooks the sea and is dedicated to the Mediterranean lifestyle and wine culture of the region.
Chateau I’Hospitalet is considered and recognized as one of France’s premier hotels and restaurants.

Gerard, a celebrated ex-Rugby player, recently explained his wine philosophy to me. He said in simple terms: “If you understand the evolution in consumer behavior toward expressive, well-balanced and elegant wines that are sold at fair prices, you will then succeed”.

And Gerard Bertrand has!
THREE  WINES TO TRY….
CREMANT de LIMOUX ($16.99) is an aperitif, a sparkling white wine that is full-flavored, crisp and elegant. Aromas of hazelnuts, lavender and white roses prevail. The bubbly wine is made from 70% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin Blanc and 10% Mauzac. This wine is well-balanced and has great acidity and is a real bargain.

TAUTAVEL ($13.99) is a red wine that is made from 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 15% Carignan. Aged ten months in oak, this exceptional wine is dark fruit driven that shows a special sweetness on the palate. The tannins are well-balanced and pair well with mature cheese and grilled red meat.
VIOGNIER ($14.99) is an exciting, crisp, white wine that pairs perfectly with all types of fresh seafood, chicken and shellfish. The bouquet of tropical flowers, hazelnuts and figs is overpowering, yet tame. Great acidity and balance make this a perfect summer wine.
GERARD BERTRAND is a name to remember when searching for high quality wines at reasonable prices.

TheWineBlog: The "BEST DOMESTIC VODKA" Results by Philip S. Kampe

As a wine and spirits judge, I have often found many positive benefits associated with those who choose to take part in all facets of the beverage industry. Writing about wine and spirits after sampling the goods is a sure vehicle to success, granted that your palate and journalistic skills are focused and well developed.
Recently, I was a judge at host William Rosenberg’s ‘Fifty Best’ domestic vodka tasting.

William sponsors events that focus on up to fifty varieties of the same category of spirits and has a panel of judges, including myself, who rate the products.

America has been distilling spirits for centuries. Lately, there has been a resurgence with an influx of hand-crafted, artisanal vodka. Practically every state now hosts micro-distillers that produce vodka. There are no less than eight states boosting five or more craft vodka distilleries including California, Colorado, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. Their numbers continue to grow.
Much like craft brewers and vintners, the highly entrepreneurial master distillers use local grains (or potatoes, corn, grapes, honey or apples) and water to produce their small batch craft vodkas. These ‘homegrown’ ingredients impart distinctive character and flavors to the finished products.
The dedication and expertise is inspiring. The local craft approach has proven successful, even though most of the craft vodka brands are available only within their home states and often sell out. If we are fortunate, national distribution will introduce these vodkas to the enjoyment of aficionados everywhere.
After we were seated at tables, William Rosenberg, of the ‘Fifty Best’ set-up the rules for the tasting.  Basically, the 18 pre-qualified judges are going to sample 20 small batch, handcrafted vodkas in a ‘blind’ tasting. Strict tasting rules were applied. The order of the vodkas to sample was established by lottery. Each of the vodkas were pored into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at slightly above room temperature. Only ice water and neutral unflavored crackers, unsalted nuts and bar snacks were available to cleanse the palate. The judges tasted through two flights of seven vodkas and one flight of six.
The 18 judges wrote down their impressions of each product on score sheets. The scoring was done on a five point system with five being the best score and one as the worst. Double-Gold, Gold and Silver medals were awarded based on a set range of final point scores received from the judges.

The results of the judges opinions of the top winners is below:
DOUBLE GOLD Medal Winners included: PEACE (New York) vodka that uses locally grown wheat and Catskill mountain water; DOWNSLOPE CANE (Colorado) vodka uses the juice of Maui sugar cane and is gluten free; KRA-ZE (New York) vodka is an American take on Polish vodka; LIV (New York) is a potato based vodka that is gluten free; COLD RIVER (Maine) uses 100% Maine potatoes and uses water sourced from the Cold River Aquifer.

GOLD Medal Winners included: HIGH WEST (Utah) is an oat-based, snowmelt water that is naturally filtered in deep rock aquifers; MOST WANTED (Kansas) vodka is grain-based with slow filtration; REVOLUTION (Colorado) is a grain based vodka that uses Rocky Mountain water; PLANTATION (Georgia) is a blend of southern grain and corn which uses aquifer water naturally filtered through limestone; MAKO (Florida) vodka uses had selected distillers grains of corn and barley and natural iron-free limestone spring water that is five times distilled.

Other GOLD Medal Winners included:  VALENTINE (Michigan); ZODIAC (Texas);

1876 (Texas); GOAT (Colorado); CLEAR 10 (Washington); COLD STEEL (Oregon); MASTERMIND (Illinois) and BLUE FAME (Washington).

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