Wine Varieties

I was 26-years-old when I had my first sip of goon.

Not because I had been avoiding it or anything, but because I began my grog tenure with Passion Pop before moving on to vodka, then to white and sparkling wine.

I’ve never been against boxed wine, I just think that watching gronks at parties play ‘Goon of Fortune’ in my early 20s or seeing that metallicy sack be passed around just didn’t appeal to me. Plus, let’s face it, the word ‘goon’ doesn’t exactly sound like a sommelier-approved bevvy, now does it?

I’m getting hints of… bin juice!

But yes, one day I found myself with a cup of goon in my hand and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that it just tasted like, believe it or not, wine!

I wouldn’t say that it’s become my regular drink of choice, but if ever I’m heading to a party where I know I’ll have to share with a bunch of people or I’m simply low on cash that week, I opt for the humble sack of goon.

But, like with every beverage, there’s a scale when it comes to quality, so to help you decide which box to buy, we’ve ranked the goon brands.

10. Sunnyvale

Average price: $14.

Region: Victoria.

Litres: 4L.

Standard Drinks: 30.

You’re really getting bang for your buck with this one. So if, say, I’m on the last week of my pay cycle and I’m fiending for a bev but I’m low on dollarydoos, this is what I roll with.

Taste-wise, it’s not exactly top-tier, so if you’re new to the genre, I wouldn’t recommend starting with this.

But if you’ve got a seasoned goon palate and you’re down to clown, then bloody go for it, mate.

9. Tangled Vine

Average price: $14.

Region: South Eastern Australia.

Litres: 4L.

Standard drinks: 31.6.

This is another one of my end of pay cycle picks.

Relatively tasty, with a large range of wine choices, but, not gonna lie, I’m getting a terrible headache just looking at the box (or maybe that’s just PTSD from my last goon hangover).

8. Sovereign Point

Average price: $14.

Region: South Eastern Australia.

Litres: 4.4L.

Standard drinks: 40.

Ah, some fab memories are attached to this box of booze.

This one’s a real bargain, given that there’s more litres and standard drinks than other ranges.

In terms of taste, as my BF put it, “it gets the job done, but it’s not on the fancier side.”

Do with that information what you will.

7. Golden Oaks

Average price: $12.

Region: Victoria.

Litres: 4L.

Standard drinks: 30.

This one is on the cheaper side and you’re not skimping on taste, which we love.

Plus the name of it just sounds so lush. You won’t feel like a total yobbo rolling up to park drinks with your faaaaahbulous Golden Oaks goonie.

6. Stanley

Average price: $15.

Region: Riverland.

Litres: 4L.

Standard drinks: 35.

This one is on the more exxy side, but there’s a reason for it.

Not only does it look sleeker (just check out that bold, mature packaging), but it’s also a premium option, taste-wise. Plus it has 35 standard drinks, which is more than most.

A definite dinner / house party fave.

5. Coolabah

Average price: $15.

Region: Undisclosed (I’m assuming Coolabah?)

Litres: 5L.

Standard drinks: 36.

One of the more iconic brands of goon, it comes in a 25% more extra value pack so it totals to a whopping 5 litres per box, which is perf for parties and festivals (lol, remember those?) where you know you’ll need to make it last.

Plus they have one of the biggest varieties of beverages I’ve ever seen in goon, including rosé (see above) which ya don’t see very often!

4. Daybreak

Average price: $15.

Region: South Eastern Australia.

Litres: 5L.

Standard drinks: 57.5.

The box’s logo bears a rising sun which conjures a happy image of park festivities, balcony sessions, or a more somber image of watching the sun come up after a big one where you’re questioning your life choices, but not your decision to opt for the Daybreak because that bad boy is still funnelling out bevvies through its 5 litre casket and let’s face it, at that point ya bloody need it!

It should also be noted that this brand has been known to make a great cooking wine.

3. Berri Estates

Average price: $15.

Region: Riverland region.

Litres: 5L.

Standard drinks: 39.

The website advises that you pair this one with seafood, which is always a positive sign when selecting goon varieties as this means it’s a fancy pants drop.

It’s also a ‘yuge 5 litre casket and its name sounds hella flash, doesn’t it?

According to the box, it contains more than 6 bottles worth of grog and the package itself is eco-friendly, which is always great.

2. De Bertolli

Average price: $22.

Region: Riverina region.

Litres: 5L.

Standard drinks: 39.

Coming in at #2 is one of the most upscale options out there: De Bertolli.

This award-winning selection is best known for its red wine varieties, so if you love yourself a red, this is the one to roll with.

It also comes in a sauvignon blanc sack, which is a boon ‘cos it’s hard to find sack sav.

Because it goes down great with grub, I recommend taking this one along with ya to dinner parties, if bottles aren’t an option (they also sell wines from the bottle, BTW!).

1. Yalumba

Average price: $14.

Region: South Australia.

Litres: 2L.

Standard drinks: 21.

We have reached the promised land, ladies and gents.

The cream of the crop. The gold star goon. The Prue and Trude of boxed wine.

Yalumba (ahhh, it even sounds lush, doesn’t it?) is a 2 litre goon box so, granted, it’s the smallest of the bunch, but where it lacks in quantity, it totally makes up for in flavour.

Plus the size, colour and style of the box makes it look more socially acceptable, doesn’t it?

This is the closest goonie to bottled wine, pretty much. *chef’s kiss*

Enjoy your foray into goon, fam!

Matty Galea is the Senior Entertainment Editor at Pedestrian who also dabbles in woo-woo stuff like astrology and crystals and has been penning horoscopes since the start of his career. He also Tweets about pop culture and astrology and posts spicy content on Instagram.

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Pondering things that go well together, one’s mind might wander to peanut butter and jelly, or salt and pepper.

But what about grapes and dry weather?

The recent drought conditions have left many Minnesota crops struggling. However, a few southwest metro winemakers explain why the hot and dry climate has them excited about this year’s harvest.

The weather has proved beneficial to vineyards, said Aaron Schram, owner and operator of Schram Vineyards Winery and Brewery in Waconia.

There has still been about a quarter inch to an eighth of an inch of rainfall a week. So, the grapes are doing “exceedingly well,” Schram said.

But why is that? Viticulturist Isaac Savaryn, of Sovereign Estate in Waconia, said that when the vines get only the amount of water they need to survive, it stresses the vine.

“It forces those vines roots to grow even deeper and search for more nutrients and water,” Savaryn said. “Some different flavonoids are going to be expressed in some ways that possibly we’ve never seen before.”

A unique thing about wine is that it is completely dependent on the environment, Savaryn said. While it isn’t set in stone, since the grapes have yet to be harvested, he thinks they are looking at a vintage year, which basically means really good wine.

“Everything has been just absolutely lining up in the way we want it to,” Savaryn said.

PUTTING MINNESOTA ON THE MAP

This season’s weather has gotten Schram excited about entering wines for awards and competitions, which could set the bar for Minnesota. Few wineries in the state have won anything that would get noticed by wine critics, he said.

Minnesota is a “micro wine industry” Schram said. He hopes that it starts to gain some traction and that this year in particular, will change the perspective of Minnesota wine as more than just a novelty.

People think of California as a powerhouse in the wine industry, but it wasn’t always that way, Schram explained. While Minnesota isn’t going to be the new Napa, there are wine varieties such as Itasca and Marquette that they need to develop, as well as develop an industry for them.

“This year could be one of the defining years. I hope we break some ground in getting those out into the wine world,” Schram said.

John and Jenny Thull are research viticulturists at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Every season, there is a finite amount of time to accumulate as much heat as possible, John said. This year, things have been moving more quickly because the heat came earlier. That means the color of the grapes are changing earlier, as is their flavors.

“All of this, aspects of the heat and the drought combined, is really coming together nicely for the fruit,” John said.

Other growers echoed that the heat has sped up the grape growing process. According to Savaryn, the winery is about two weeks ahead of schedule for harvesting. Schram estimates they are about one week ahead. Things are moving faster than he likes, but it’s not so bad that it’s out of control, he said.

Younger vines don’t have as deep of roots as mature vines, so they need to be manually watered, Savaryn said. Schram goes on what he calls “walkabouts” to monitor for signs of leaf shrivel or curling, as well as discolorations. He has watered his young vines around four or five times, he estimated.

COMPLEX FLAVORS

The past few years have been wet, so grapes such as the Marquette haven’t had much flavor development, Jenny said. Even when it was ripe, “you just didn’t get much for flavors.” This year, the grape isn’t even quite ripe yet, but there are flavors that developed that she hasn’t tasted since 2012.

“If I were to do this at the same time last year, we wouldn’t have been able to even eat it, because the acid would have been high,” Jenny said.

Another benefit to this season’s weather is that there is reduced fungus and disease pressure. Diseases such as downy mildew, black rot and powdery mildew are more easily controlled by the dryness, John said. The Thulls have sprayed only once to combat the diseases. Four to six times a season is fairly typical, he said.

“Less spray is more healthy for us as workers and then ultimately, down the line, for the consumers too,” John said.

But this season isn’t without its drawbacks. The Thulls have anticipated more birds because the worms they typically eat, are too deep in the ground. The birds are looking for something with moisture and nutrients. Grapes are the next best thing, John said.

ART AND WEATHER

When it comes to grape growing, it is a balance of all the jobs and the weather, John said, adding it is a perfect blend of science, art and passion that makes great grapes for really good wine.

“These are the kind of years where the vines really do express themselves the best. When it’s dry and when it’s warm you get the best expression out of the fruit and that translates really well into the wines later on,” John said.

Jenny joked that it’s been about nine years since the last time there were conditions like this season. “Every nine years or so, we’re gonna have a great year,” she said with a laugh.

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WESTERN MASS. – Since the days of 4100 B.C., wine has been a celebrated dinner table staple for a range of communities. While National Wine Day has been celebrated since 2009 – this year on Aug. 28 – National Red Wine Day became a new staple in 2013 when Jace Shoemaker-Galloway, known as the “Queen of Holidays,” created the event. According to her website, National Red Wine Day was created as a way of infusing the summer’s humid conditions with a wine typically savored in chillier months.

The Reminder Publishing staff visited some local wineries to experience what Western Massachusetts has to offer. These wineries will be open throughout the fall season, with some of them opening for operation in the coming weeks. We encourage readers to frequent their favorite local wineries.

Amherst Farm Winery
Amherst

Amherst Farm Winery, located at 529 Belchertown Rd., appears as a rustic location inside of an old dairy barn. According to their website, this aged venue has been modernized with a “state-of-the-art winery,” and tasting room.

Tastings are offered Friday through Monday from 12 to 5 p.m., lasting March through December. Tasters are able to choose six of the 19 vintage wines offered, including some “award-winning, unique flavors” such as apple, blueberry, cranberry, pear, peach, raspberry and many more. To accompany your tasting, you’ll receive a logo glass – all for $8.

Aside from tasting, wine is offered by the glass or bottle. Guests are encouraged to bring snacks to enjoy with their wines. To be utilized in nicer weather, a barrel patio is located outside, along with a leather sofa neighboring a fire pit.

Those interested in hosting a private function or celebration at the winery are encouraged to contact afwinery@gmail.com for more information and availability. The most up-to-date information, specials and live music schedule can also be found on the winery’s Facebook page.

Brimfield Winery & Cidery
Brimfield

Family-run Brimfield Winery and Cidery has partnered with Musto Wine Grape Co. to offer a relaxing wine tasting experience. Patrons can try locally-made wines, beer and hard cider in the tasting room, the wine garden or under the pavilion.

There are four white wines, two red and a rosé for visitors to choose from. Flavored with a variety of fruits, spices and floral notes, each has a distinct aroma and taste. The wines can be enjoyed on site or purchased at Brimfield Market in Brimfield and Micknucks in Sturbridge.

The winery offers live music every day, plus cruise nights and food trucks. The scenic grounds can also serve as a location for weddings, birthdays, reunions and other special occasions. Every May, July and September, antiques enthusiasts flock to Brimfield for the world’s largest outdoor flea market and Brimfield Winery and Cidery’s nearby location makes it a popular destination for the visitors

Brimfield Winery & Cidery is open Fridays, from 4 to 8 p.m. and on the weekend, from 12 to 6 p.m. Located at 35 Main St. in Brimfield, it can be reached at brimfieldwineryevents@gmail.com or at 245-3436.

Brignole Vineyards
East Granby, CT

Brignole Vineyards, located at 103 Hartford Ave., has an array of red, white and rosé wines to choose from. According to their website, the vineyard is family owned and spans across 15 acres of land.

One of their most popular red wines, as determined through its likes online, is Unbridled. They describe this as “a soft wine with lots of red currant, raspberry, cherry characters with hints of rose. The taste is complex with lots of red berries, black pepper, with spice and undertones of cinnamon. This wine is well balanced and finishes with silky tannins and soft oak flavors.”

Unbridled can be purchased online or in-store for $28. In addition to reds, their protracted list of wines can be found and bought both in-store and on their website at https://www.brignolevineyards.com/.

Brignole Vineyards has a tasting room as well. For only $16, you can try four wines and even receive a complimentary Brignole wine glass. Additionally, Brignole offers sangria and slushies with flavors that change weekly.

Their hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 1 to 7 p.m., Saturday, 12 to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 12 to 6 p.m. To learn more about Brignole, visit their website or call 860-653-9463.

R Dee Winery
Enfield

R Dee Winery is a family-run business operated by Michele and Mark McAuliffe. According to their website, the two met while attending Ithaca College in New York, with both developing a passion for wineries while living in the Finger Lakes Region. Along with their families, Michele and Mark built the winery by hand in the “vision of tradition and romance,” according to their website.

Along with a variety of white and sangria options, R Dee’s has four distinct red wine options, including a Strength in Numbers malbec, Opportunity red table wine, Partners in Crime red blend and a Slainte Petite Syrah. The winery also carries a rotating schedule of wine slushies, which are made entirely from fresh fruits and juices according to their website.

R Dee Winery is located on 504 Hazard Ave. in Enfield. They are open on weekends, Fridayfrom 3 to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, 12 to 9:30 p.m, and Sunday, 12 to 6 p.m. They will also be open Thursdayfrom 4 to 9 p.m. once the wine season begins. R Dee Winery can be reached at 860- 692-2472 or at rdeewinery@gmail.com.

Mineral Hills Winery at Godard’s Red Hen Farm

Florence

According to the winery’s website, Godard’s Red Hen Farm began when Larry and Sue Godard began growing apples and keeping bees in 1984. Since then, they have expanded to growing blueberries, grapes and managing their own apiary, going on to add the winery in 2010.

With about 15 different varieties of wines, their motto is “wines to please all palates.” Varieties of red wines listed on their website include a cabernet sauvignon, chambourcin, Frontenac, a sweet red called Red Hen Red. White wine varieties include a Chardonnay, seyval blanc, Cayuga and a May wine which is described as a riesling infused with Sweet Woodruff.  The winery also boasts two fruit wines including an apple wine and a wicked blue blueberry wine, as well as a blush wine called NoHo blush. Additionally, the winery also makes their own wine from honey called mead wine, with honey produced on their farm.

Mineral Hills Winery is located at 592 Sylvester Rd. in Florence and can be reached at 586-2575. The winery offers tastings, tours and even accommodates private events. Tastings are done Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The winery is open From April to July 1 and in December on Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is open daily from July to November from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For recent health guidelines and mandates at the winery visit https://www.mineralhillswinery.com/.

Hardwick Vineyard and Winery

Hardwick

Hardwick Vineyard and Winery leans into its Massachusetts home with wines such as Yankee Boy White, Quabbin Native and Hardwick Honey. For the fall, the winery offers flavors with a seasonal tone, like Massetts Cranberry, Pioneer Pumpkin and Harvest Maple.

The most popular red wine is “probably Baystate Blueberry,” said Manager Kaitlyn Young. “Wine slushies are very popular, too.”

Owned by John Samek, Hardwick Vineyard and Winery is a restored 1795 mansion on 150 acres of land, used to grow the grapes that are used to create the signature wines. The white wines are a mixture of Cayuga white, seyval blanc, vidal blanc and a French hybrid grape. The red wines are mainly composed of dechaunac red, and catawba grapes. To these, the winery adds honey, apricots, raspberries and an array of other fruits and spices, creating their unique wines, including what the website calls “possibly the only Asparagus Wine made commercially in the world.”

A limited food menu is offered to pair with the wines and a handy list of sangria recipes are available on the winery’s website. The site also contains a schedule of live music, which the vineyard hosts daily.

Aside from music, the business also hosts several community events, including a Craft Fair on Sept. 4. “It’s our first [event] since COVID-19 and it benefits the Ware Food Bank. We also have a police fundraiser coming up. We try to give back to the community,” said Young.

Hardwick Vineyard and Winery’s products are sold at liquor stores throughout the Pioneer Valley and in select locations in central Massachusetts. A full list of sellers can be found at https://www.hardwickwinery.com. To try the wines in person, visit the vineyard’s booth at the Big E for its two-week run in September.

Hardwick Vineyard and Winery is located at 3305 Greenwich Rd., Hardwick and can be reached at 967-7763. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, it is open Sunday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The winery is open on weekends during the colder months.

Echo Hill Orchards Winery and Distillery
Monson

Echo Hills has been owned and operated by the Krupczak family for more than 20 years and offers Western Massachusetts residents a variety of wines and locally grown seasonal fruits available to be picked.

Winery Manager Ashley Krupczak said while the winery at 101 Wilbraham Rd. in Monson was closed when she spoke to Reminder Publishing, it would reopen on Aug. 28 and 29. This, she explained, was the beginning of the pick your own (PYO) season where families were invited to visit the winery and pick their own apples, peaches, pumpkins and sunflowers.

Krupczak said in preparation for the upcoming season, they were hard at work preparing new and popular products. “We actually just bottled and have ready our Goblin Grog, a pumpkin chardonnay. It was a best seller last year and sold out in a month and a half,” she said. “We bottled two barrels, so that will be back again.”

She went to say that new to the vineyard this year was their bottle sangria. “We just bottled our first ever sangria. Usually we make it out of [several] fruit wines, but now you purchase it and it’s already made,” she said. Also new to the winery this year was their ability to serve distillery items on tap to customers.

“This is the first fall year with our pour license to pour up to 90 proof distillery items that we make. We’ll have different mixed and frozen drinks for the fall,” she said. Krupczak added that in addition to having 25 items on their tasting list, which includes wines and moonshines, they will also be serving a cider that was made special for the winery.

“For the first time we have a hard cider that was made for us by another orchard. We’ll have that for tasting and to sell,” she said.

In addition to bottling their own products, Krupczak said they grow nearly all the produce used to make their wines and sangria. “We grow and use just about every single fruit. We bring in grapes for one or two varieties,” she said. Such fruits grown include raspberries, peaches and pears.

When the winery opens, Krupczak said they will have PYO Macintosh apples, peaches and anticipate having their sunflower field ready for people to enjoy for photos. They will remain open from Wednesday to Friday from 12 to 6 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

While there are currently no plans for any specific health and safety measures, she said they will follow any guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as they did last year. Additionally, she said there was “sanitizer on premises” and “public places are sanitized as much as we can.”

More information about the winery’s offerings, hours and any updated health and safety measures can be found online at https://echohillorchards.com/ and on the Echo Hills Orchards and Winery Facebook Page.

Lost Acres Vineyards
North Granby, CT

What was once an apple orchard is now known as Lost Acres Vineyard. Owners Kevin Riggott and Michelle Niedermeyer turned this land into a popular place that attracts many visitors.

According to their website, they offer white, red and specialty wines. Their red list consists of four flavors: Silkey Red, Firehouse Red, Rock Wall Red and merlot. With fall right around the corner, an Old Orchard Apple specialty wine may be just what you’re looking for.

Inside the barn at Lost Acres Vineyard is their tasting room. Here, guests have the opportunity to have a glass of wine, observe an art gallery, enjoy live music, and even indulge in fresh food that’s made onsite.

The vineyard often has food trucks, along with special events such as yoga. To learn more about Lost Acres Vineyards and their upcoming events, visit https://www.lostacresvineyard.com/ or call 860-324-9481.

Lost Acres Vineyards is located at 80 Lost Acres Road. Their summer hours are Friday, 12 to 7 p.m., Saturday, 12 to 6 p.m., and Sunday 12 to 5 p.m.

Glendale Ridge Vineyards

Southampton

Officially opening their doors in 2017, Glendale Ridge Vineyards began planting their grapes in 2010. Over a decade later, they now welcome crowds to their location at 155 Glendale Road.

According to their website, their goal is to provide a safe environment for guests, while also allowing them to return to the “roots” of their winery; offering tastings and a classic vineyard experience.

Glendale Ridge Vineyards grows their estate wines in Southampton. Some of their unique wines are made from grapes that are sourced from “some of the best” vineyards on Long Island and in the Finger Lakes region.

Whether you are in the mood for sparkling, red, white, or rosé wine, this vineyard has it all. A Glendale Ridge Vineyard favorite is malbec – a 2019 red wine. “The nose is of dark fruit with a little smoke. Black cherry, strawberry and cedar flavors shine with a beautiful acidity on the finish,” reads their website. The bottle costs $35 to consume on-site and $25 for a bottle to go.

Wine tastings include a flight of five wines, costing $10 per person. For groups of 6 or more, reservations can be made by calling 527-0164.

The official list of Glendale Ridge wines can be found and ordered on their website at https://www.glendaleridgevineyard.com/. In addition, they have merchandise such as hats and wine glasses, along with a pantry consisting of syrup, jellies, cocktail mixers and more.

Their hours of operation are Thursday and Friday, 3 to 8 p.m., Saturday, 1 to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 7 p.m.

Lazy Valley Winery
Springfield

Owned and operated by Scott Santaniello, Lazy Valley Winery offers distinctly homemade options at 69 Parker St. in Springfield.

Santaniello’s start in the wine business was initiated from a young age. “Growing up, my family always made it in the cellar,” said Santaniello. He explained the intimate process behind creating aromatic wines, which includes crushing grapes and fermenting them in rustic barrels.

This initial learning process inspired Santaniello to learn the grape manipulation process in order to create his own wines. “It’s fun to make your own wines,” said Santaniello. The homemade process creates a particularly pungent brand of wine according to Santaniello. He said the bolder flavor wasn’t always a popular choice for customers, but it has recently received positive appraisals from those who favor the homemade offering’s rustic sensibility.  

Lazy Valley Winery offers a range of options for customers, including red zinfandel, orange mascato, mother merlot and petite nebbiolo. The petite nebbiolo is especially close to Santaniello’s heart, as he said the wine was crafted as an ode to his daughters 10 years ago. Santaniello initially operated at Indian Orchard Mills before moving to his current location three years ago.

When it comes to recommending a wine for customers, Santaniello believes patrons should trust their pallet. “Years ago, I would’ve told you [a specific wine], but I’ve learned that it all depends on the individual,” said Santaniello. For Santaniello, he said the deep, rich and bold dark red zinfandel Old Frog remains his personal favorite red wine. Lazy Valley Winery can be reached at 204-7110.

Raven Hollow Winery
Westfield

Raven Hollow Winery at 436 Russellville Rd. in Westfield is open on Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. The winery, according to their website, produces wines from sustainably grown produce from Kosinski Farms “with the environment and our community in mind.” While most fruit used for their wines are grown locally, they also import grapes from vineyards in California, chosen for “the quality of their fruit and their commitment to the environment.”

Raven Hollow Winery offers a selection of fruit wines which include blackberry wine, peach wine, strawberry wine, apple wine, blueberry wine, strawberry rhubarb, apple cranberry wine, ginger-spiced candied apple wine, raspberry wine, cherry wine, sweet apple wine and an apple raspberry wine. More information and updates regarding health and safety guidelines can be found online at http://www.ravenhollowwinery.com/.

Outlook Farm
Westhampton

Outlook Farm on 136 Main Rd. (Route 66) in Westhampton offers customers craft ales, hard cider and wines. The farm makes wine from fruit grown right on their farm including blackberries, peaches, apples, plums, pears and cherries.

According to their website, https://outlookfarm.com/wineryandbrewery/winery, while the winery does not grow their own grapes, they source them from vineyards in both New York and California. Offerings at the farm change seasonally with their current wine list including a rosé, malbec and zinfandel. However, they offer a variety of fruit wines including a blackberry, white peach, apple, plum, cherry, pear and sangria. The farm also offers an array of dessert wines including an ice cider wine, pomodoro, blueberry port and blackberry port.

In addition to wine, patrons can enjoy shopping for produce, baked goods and other items as well as picking their own produce, enjoying barbeque and listening to live music during some months. Live music is hosted on the farm’s Backyard Taproom from May 15 to Oct. 31 on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. A full list of entertainment, as well as information about their upcoming Apple Fest, can be found at https://outlookfarm.com/wineryandbrewery/taproom.

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Sting and his Il Palagio vineyard estate have garnered significant success in recent years. However, when he and his wife, Trudie Styler, first bought the estate in the ’90s, they faced an uphill battle after allegedly being duped by the previous owner.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer said in a new interview with the Italian magazine Sette (as transcribed by Food & Wine) the previous owner, the late Duke Simone Vincenzo Velluti Zati di San Clemente, convinced him to buy the property after serving him a glass of wine produced from the vineyard. The problem was the Duke allegedly served him “a glass of Barolo to wow Sting into buying the then-crumbling property.”

Sting said, “When we served the wine from the estate to our guests, I saw that someone was emptying their glass into a flowerbed. It was then that we decided to avenge ourselves and to show that it was possible to produce excellent wine from the vineyards at Palagio. Our whole Tuscan adventure has really been a way of getting our own back.”

Of course, Sting and Trudie’s Il Palagio brand now boasts six different wine varieties and has since expanded into producing olive oil and honey. The property even has a wine bar and a pizzeria on site.

News of Sting’s comments have…well…stung the family of the late Duke. His son, Simone San Clemente Jr., has issued a statement via the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera in response saying (as transcribed by Page Six), “Apart from the fact that an internationally experienced gentleman like Sting (he was 46 years old at the time) should not confuse Barolo with Chianti, Nebbiolo with Sangiovese, nothing could be more alien to my father’s character, habits, behavior, in one word, to his spirit, than to behave like a swindling innkeeper.”

San Clemente Jr. continued, “My father lived until 2012, so Sting had time to allow him to personally retort to his suspicions, but the statement was not only in bad faith, but also so absurd as to sound like a boomerang. Instead, Sting decided to do it ‘a babbo morto‘ as they say in Tuscany, when the father has died.”

He then added, “Today the comparison between the Palagio of the past and the one today re-fashioned by Sting today is deplorable. The Palagio is now a Palm Beach-style resort. The refined taste that Sting says he has acquired over the years is not reflected in his words. Quite the contrary. He even uses my family’s coat of arms on his wine labels. This does not seem to be refined when he chooses to publicly insult my father.

San Clemente Jr., clearly upset by Sting’s accusation, then said, “But above all, isn’t Sting afraid that the karma he holds so dear might come back to visit him? When he wakes up in the morning, can’t he think of anything more enlightening to say? Or is it just about selling his pizza and wine, because after all, there will never be enough money in his portfolios. In the end, the interview given by Sting to … the Corriere was about promoting the best wine and pizza in the world using nothing more than a tasteless marketing strategy. I think Mr. Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner [Sting] owes me and my family an apology.”

Rich people problems, amiright?

 

Sting & Rock’s Most Iconic Sex Symbols

Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock news blogger who’s well versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice.

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Posted in West Virginia

August 18, 2021
by Cristy

This fall marks the thirtieth anniversary of one of West Virginia’s many great celebrations: the Kirkwood Winery Grape Stomp Wine Festival, held September 17-18, 2021.

During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.

Hosted by the acclaimed Kirkwood Winery just north of Summersville, this event is one worth planning for, and one that you will probably return to if you’ve already been.

And you don’t have to be a wine connoisseur to have a great time at this festival. First of all, there’s the obvious – the rare chance to shed your footwear, roll up your pants, and smash some grapes! If you’re confident in your skills, enter the competition to see how much juice you can produce!

But besides this, there’s many other opportunities for fun. There are grape eating contests, tastings (free with the cost of admission) of Kirkwood’s many unique and delicious wine varieties.

There’s the Stomp 5k race, which wends through the vineyard grounds and the beautiful farmland adjoining it. There are tours and covered wagon rides around the winery. There’s live music from many artists of local (and broader) fame, not to mention the chance to showcase your own musical skills during the open mic period.

There’s food, dancing, games, and activities for the whole family.

Steeped in Appalachian mountain tradition, Kirkwood Winery is committed to their regional heritage and local business. Besides their 39 flavors of wine, their country store is brimming with West Virginia crafts and homemade or homegrown products.

Kirkwood Winery is also a distillery (at the time of its licensing, the smallest in the country), so besides wine you will find whiskey and spirits. Their acclaimed bourbon whiskey (the only bourbon “made and produced” in West Virginia) is featured at the Greenbrier Resort.

Speaking of mountain traditions, don’t miss their Appalachian Ramp wine! Kirkwood’s beautiful grounds also make a perfect event venue.

Discover the authentic flavor of West Virginia and have some family fun at the Kirkwood Winery Grape Stomp Wine Festival on September 17-18! To learn more, visit Kirkwood Winery’s Facebook page. 

Address: Winery Lane, Winery Ln, West Virginia 26651, USA

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Never have so many bottles of Prosecco been uncorked in the world as in 2021, a Coldiretti report based on Istat data has revealed.

During the first months of the year, over 120 million bottles were shipped abroad, a record increase in exports of 17%, making Prosecco by far the most exported wine accounting for about one-third of all bubbly sales, followed by Cava (14%) and Champagne (11%)

The United States emerged as the top buyer of Prosecco, registering a growth of 17%. Elsewhere, the greatest increase was seen in Germany at 29% and France at 21%.

Export Hurdles To The UK

Despite being the second biggest importer, the UK bucked the trend with a drop of 9%, as a result of the bureaucratic and administrative difficulties linked to Brexit.

The main obstacles for those exporting to the UK, according to Coldiretti, are customs procedures and the increase in transport costs due to delays and increased controls.

In 2018, exports of Italian prosecco to the UK fell by 7%. It was the first time that the rate of growth was in the negative.

Counterfeit Products

The situation has encouraged counterfeits and imitations, and the sales of fake Prosecco in cans or on tap in UK pubs backs the claim, the study noted.

Prosecco is the most vulnerable to counterfeiting among wine varieties, and the presence of imitations all over the world, ranging from Meer-secco to Kressecco, Semisecco to Consecco, and Whitesecco to Crisecco, testifies the theory.

The latest reason for concern is the request for recognition of Croatian Prosek in the EU, which Italy has opposed.

The production of Prosecco sparkling wine involves the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions, nine provinces and three denominations of origin – Prosecco Doc, Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene Docg and Asolo Prosecco Docg – for a total production of over 600 million bottles.

© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest Drinks news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine

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After contending with a severe drought between 2015 and 2017, Mzansi’s wine industry faces higher average temperatures, more severe heatwaves and a shifting rainy season. But while producers in other parts of the world are shielding themselves from climate change by moving into cooler territories, this is less of an option for local winemakers, experts say. 

Professor Nick Vink, an agricultural economist at Stellenbosch University. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

As a result, climate change adaptation will be key to the sector’s long-term prosperity, and producers are likely to gravitate towards warmer-climate wine varieties such as cabernet sauvignon, rather than cooler-climate varieties such as chardonnay.

Nick Vink, a professor in agricultural economy at Stellenbosch University, says the sector will have to manage the levels of alcohol in wine.

“Two main focus points are in the vineyard (techniques that mitigate increasing temperatures such as canopy management, cover crops for moisture retention, trellising systems, planting aspect – alignment to sunlight – and so on) and the changes in the harvesting season.”

The renowned agriculturist tells Food For Mzansi that in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, at least, temperatures have already risen by almost 2 degrees Celsius, and the harvest is easily three weeks earlier than a few decades ago.

Vink’s views come after researchers quantified the role that human-caused climate change played in an intense late frost episode that damaged agricultural lands in France in early April. Vineyards in particular were severely affected, with early assessments estimating losses of almost 2 billion Euros.

The French study showed that while global warming made the cold wave more likely, it is also shifting the growing season earlier into the year.

This is problematic because during the bud-burst stage, vineyards are especially susceptible to frosts. So while temperatures have generally increased in recent decades, crops are maturing earlier in the year, leaving them more exposed and vulnerable to low temperatures.

The researchers, including scientists from the University of Oxford, concluded that overall, human-caused climate change made the damaging frost event in France about 60% more likely.

Warmer-climate wines

Dr Peter Johnston, climate scientist and researcher at the University of Cape Town, says the increasing frequency of heatwaves in South Africa places additional stress on crops and affects the amount of sugar in grapes.

Dr Peter Johnston, climate scientist and researcher at the University of Cape Town. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

“Aside from increased temperatures – and the increased risk of droughts and thus water storage, with water issues affecting some of the Western Cape’s wine-growing regions more than others – rainfall seems to be shifting later into the growing season, which can promote pests and crop diseases. 

“Wine producers in the Northern Hemisphere are pushing further north into cooler territories, and a similar trend is underway in the Southern Hemisphere, with producers pushing south.

“However, this is less of an option in South Africa due to geographical constraints and inadequate soil types. In this context, local wine producers are increasingly leveraging shade netting and technologies to monitor and preserve soil moisture, among other interventions.”

However, as climate change advances, it’s likely that Mzansi will produce more warmer-climate wines such as cabernet sauvignon, than cooler-climate Bordeaux-type wines, predicts Johnston. He says considering that crop varieties can’t be changed frequently, this transition will need to be carefully managed.

“It’s also worth considering that as the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases, this could actually have a positive effect on yields due to the fertilisation effect. 

“However, it could lead to a difference in the balance of starches and sugars in grapes. This could mean better yields but reduced quality of wine. This could have serious implications for vines, as wine is so heavily reliant on the grape quality in determining its price and profitability.”

What will farmers be planting?

Professor Stephanie Midgley is a researcher and project manager in agriculture, food security and climate change, and a climate change and risk assessment expert of the Western Cape department of agriculture. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Meanwhile, Stephanie Midgley, scientist for climate change and risk assessment at the Western Cape department of agriculture, says, “Vineyards and wine are quite complex and people generally use the local terroir to make decisions, so you’ll start to see a shift in what farmers are planting and what they can make in certain areas.

“Cooler areas, where sauvignon are grown at the moment, will become suited to a different cultivar, but the areas that are really hot now, like where port is produced, may become unsuited for anything. In areas that are dependent on water, this is a big concern, and fire is an underestimated risk for vineyards that is not talked about enough.”

This view is shared by Sibusisiwe Maseko, senior agricultural analyst at GreenCape.

“The prolonged and severe drought that brought the Western Cape to the brink of day zero fundamentally shifted the agricultural sector’s attitude to climate change. Just within the wine industry, the drought had a devastating effect, from grape yields and quality to decreased profitability and employment on wine farms,” says Maseko.

Sibusisiwe Maseko, senior agricultural analyst at GreenCape. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

In response, farmers reached out to the Western Cape department of agriculture and organisations such as GreenCape to adopt more climate-resilient practices such as intercropping, mulching and the adoption of soil moisture monitoring technologies.

“Because of these interventions, water use in the sector has already fallen dramatically and remains below pre-drought levels. However, climate change remains a real risk to the agricultural sector, with extreme weather events expected to increase in volume and severity. We will continue to support the government in driving climate change awareness and in ensuring that all projects have an element of climate change mitigation and adaptation.” 

ALSO READ: Climate change: 2025 food security targets at risk

Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain. 

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Wine bars are such stellar spots for date night. So, here are some great date night-worthy wine bars in Orlando for couples who love wine, sultry spaces, and good company.

Imperial Wine Bar & Beer Garden

1800 N. Orange Ave
Orlando, FL 32804
If you’re looking for a wine bar in Orlando with a cozy, neighborhood feel, look no further than Imperial Wine Bar & Beer Garden. By day, this space is Washburn Imports, an exotic furniture store boasting some pretty spectacular pieces from around the world. At night, a wine bar emerges where you’ll find an extensive wine list, featuring reds, whites, sparkling wines and dessert ports. They also have an extensive craft beer menu (draft, bottled and canned) and lots of small bites, like flatbread and charcuterie platters, to nosh. Imperial also has locations in Winter Park (170 E. Morse Blvd) and Sanford (116 E. 1st Street) that are just as lovely.

Imperial Wine Bar & Beer Garden

Quantum Leap Winery

1312 Wilfred Drive
Orlando, FL 32803
Located near Mills Avenue, Quantum Leap Winery is “Florida’s only sustainable winery.” Quantum Leap Winery’s production model, which blends grapes from around the world onsite, reduces the carbon footprint associated with traditional wine production by utilizing low-carbon footprint vessels such as kegs, pouches or boxes. The place has a rustic, down-to-earth feel with wooden barrels everywhere and dimmed lighting. The Tasting Room is open Tuesday through Saturday. Check the events calendar for fun periodic events, like Wine & Yoga and Wine & Foot Massages.

Eola Wine Company

430 E. Central Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32801
Located just a hop, skip and a jump away from Lake Eola Park, Eola Wine Company is a wine bar that focuses on serving small production and boutique wines. The wine menu features 50 wines by the glass, an extensive reserve list available by request and more than 100 retail selections. They also have a beautiful patio to sit outside on and enjoy a glass of wine and light bites under the stars.

Image credit: Eola Wine Company

Vines Grille & Wine Bar

7533 West Sand Lake Road
Orlando, FL 32819
Ideal for music lovers, Vines Grille & Wine Bar is a terrific place to enjoy a glass of pinot noir while enjoying live jazz music, which plays every night at the restaurant. With a wine menu more than 20 pages long, Vines features selections from almost every continent, every varietal and by a variety of increments (they even offer half bottle portions). They also serve dinner and have an award-winning happy hour food/drink menu.

VINIA Wine & Kitchen

444 W New England Ave #119
Winter Park, FL 32789
This couple-owned wine bar and restaurant is tucked away in Hannibal Square, not far from Park Avenue. Scratch-made tapas and entrees compliment the impressive European wine selection, while cozy booths and live music on Thursdays create the ideal date night atmosphere. The dessert flight is one of our favorite menu options, and you absolutely need to upgrade it to include the dessert wine flight pairing, too. 

Dessert flight paired with wines (changes seasonally)

The Wine Room

270 S. Park Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789
An area favorite, The Wine Room features more than 156 hand-selected wines available to sample via DIY wine dispensing machines. With a wine debit card that you add whatever denomination you choose to, you’ll sip your way around The Wine Room via one, two-and-a-half or five-ounce pour sizes, priced accordingly. Hold on to your card because it’s reusable and trust me, you’ll be back to reuse it.

The Parkview

136 S. Park Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789
Located in the heart of Winter Park on Park Avenue, The Parkview is a wine bar with a relaxed atmosphere and a great food selection to go along with its vast wine list. Go there for brunch (mimosa flights!), stop in for an after-work flight of wine or enjoy a full dinner. This place has it all!

The Wine Barn

959 W. Fairbanks Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789
The Wine Barn is more than just your everyday wine bar; it is heaven for wine lovers. Not only do they have hundreds of wine varieties, stacked to the ceiling, Wine Barn also has amazing wood-fired pizza. You can order a pizza and then purchase a bottle of wine, which the staff will chill for you and serve.

Image credit: The Wine Barn

Spill

1196 Tree Swallow Drive, Ste. 1314
Winter Springs, FL 32708
Spill is a small spot in Winter Springs that has a vast list of wines to choose from along with an artisanal cheese platter that is so delicious. They also serve wine cocktails—like sangria and prosecco split. It’s a wine bar started by locals and made to have that “local feel” to it.

The Attic Door

8 W. Plant St.
Winter Garden, FL 34787
Self-proclaimed as the “swankiest little wine bar and live music venue,” The Attic Door looks just like a normal lounge bar from the outside but once inside it’s classy meets whimsical. The lounge is filled with mixed and matched chairs, sofas and leather couches, along with unique pieces of décor and draperies hung everywhere. Add to that live entertainment and you’ve got the perfect ambience for a great date night.

More wine bars in Orlando we love…

Grape & The Grain Wine Bar
1110 Virginia Dr
Orlando, FL 32803

Swirlery Wine Bar
1508 E Michigan St
Orlando, FL 32806

The Vineyard
4848 S. Apopka-Vineland Road
Orlando, FL 32819

Digress Wine
1215 Edgewater Dr
Orlando, FL 32804

Jazz Tastings
164 Lake Ave.
Maitland, FL 32751

Feature image credit: The Wine Barn

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Originally Appeared Here

Introduction

1. This Bi–Annual Report on the Government Hospitality (GH) wine cellar is published as part of the commitments made by the previous government following the review of the GH wine cellar in 2010, the results of which were announced in May 2011. The report is designed to offer a transparent and comprehensive overview of the usage, value, costs and stock levels of the wine cellar, as well as broadening the understanding of how the cellar is used to support the work of Government Hospitality in delivering business hospitality for all government ministers and departments.

2. The report has also been prepared to offer insight into the management of the cellar and demonstrate the value for money that the cellar provides. The purchasing of wine at relatively modest prices and its retention until ready for use allow Government Hospitality to provide guests of the government, from home and overseas, with wines of appropriate quality at reasonable cost.

3. Government Hospitality is advised on the purchasing and management of the stock by an ad hoc advisory committee, the Government Wine Committee (GWC). Meeting approximately three times a year, the four Committee members of the GWC are Masters of Wine, and give their advice un-paid. The Chairman is a retired senior Diplomat, who is also un-paid.

4. This report covers the period 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2020. It was not possible for the annual report 2018-19 to be released prior to the preparation of the 2019-20 report, so the two have been combined.

5. Figures for bottles used and costs or values have been rounded up or down to the nearest whole number. No distinction is made between half bottles (37.5 ml), whole bottles (75 ml) or magnums (150 ml) of wine.

6. Wines are generally described by country of origin, but in the case of France and Germany, wines are defined by their region of origin.

History and background

History

1. The establishment in 1908 of the former Government Hospitality Fund to provide hospitality services for high-level visiting overseas government guests and domestic guests led to the requirement to structure the purchasing of wines for these events. In 1922, the constitution of the Government Hospitality Fund Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine led to the creation of the Government Hospitality (GH) wine cellar that still exists today.

2. The wine cellar has been located in the basement of Lancaster House for many years, although at various stages in the 20th century some of the cellar stock was housed in other government buildings (eg. Downing Street, Carlton Gardens, etc). After the outbreak of World War II, wines from the German Embassy were requisitioned and added to the cellar stock. For part of the war, the bulk of the cellar was re-located to Warwickshire for safe-keeping.

3. Lancaster House has been the working base for Government Hospitality for over a century. With the completion of the post-war refurbishment in the 1950s the house was used exclusively for government entertainment and large conferences and meetings. This is still the prevailing purpose of the house, now managed as part of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office estate.

Background

4. The Government Hospitality wine cellar is a working resource that is used only to support Government Hospitality in its service delivery. Wines are bought young and relatively inexpensively and held in the cellar, so that they can be used when fully mature. Wines for use on large-scale receptions are bought in bulk on an ad hoc basis (usually 3-4 times a year).

5. The selection of wines for the cellar is carried out on the recommendation of the Government Wine Committee (GWC). Formerly a registered NDPB (non-departmental public body), the Government Hospitality Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine, the Committee was removed from the Cabinet Office list of NDPBs as part of the Public Bodies Reform process announced in October 2010. The Chairman (currently Sir David Wright, former Ambassador) and the 4 Masters of Wine members of the Committee make their selections for purchases based on blind tastings. The Committee has no budget. The Head of Government Hospitality ultimately decides whether or not to accept the Committee’s recommendations, depending on the balance of the cellar and resources available.

6. Wines are selected for use depending on the guidance offered by the GWC on grading, quality and readiness. Government Hospitality staff select the wines to be used on each event, depending on the nature of the event, seniority of the guests, etc. Ministers and senior officials hosting events do not select wines but are notified of the selections made on their behalf.

7. After the election in May 2010, the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs asked that a review of the Government Hospitality wine cellar be conducted, in-line with other areas of government expenditure, to ensure that the cellar was delivering value for money, and examine whether the running of a cellar was the most cost effective way to supply wines for GH’s business hospitality needs. The review concluded that the cellar was delivering value for money and was the most cost effective way to provide wines for Government Hospitality functions and State Banquets, but that reform was required.

8. The review recommended that:

• the Cellar should move to a self-financing regime for the medium term, with targeted sales of high value stock helping to pay for future purchases

• there should be an annual statement or report to Parliament on the use of the Wine Cellar, covering consumption, stock purchases, costs, and value for money

9. The first sales from the cellar stock took place in March 2012, delivering a £44,000 return to off-set the 2011/12 purchases of new stock, which totalled £48,955. The difference was covered by additional funds paid back to Government Hospitality by other government departments for work under-taken on their behalf. Sales have occurred every year since 2012 but were not possible in 2020 due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic in February / March 2020.

10. During the Financial Year 2018/19, sales of high value stock from the cellar delivered a return of £44,200 (cf. £50, 600 in 17/18), to off-set purchases to the value of £ 46,906 (cf. £56, 976 in 17/18). In addition, Government Hospitality was re-paid by other government departments for wines used to the value of £16,985

11. During the Financial Year 2019/20, sales of high value stock could not be completed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Over £50,000 worth of stock was identified for sale in March 2020, to off-set purchases to the value of £73,091 (cf. £46,906 in 2018/19). In addition, Government Hospitality was re-paid by other government departments for wines used to the value of £23,220.

12. Consumption levels in 2018/19 increased cf. 2017/18 (3,935 bottles). Consumption rose by approximately 2.8% to an overall total of 4,045 bottles of wine and spirits.

13. Consumption levels in 2019/20 fell cf. 2018/19 (4,045 bottles). Consumption fell by approximately 17.5% to an overall total of 3,336 bottles of wine and spirits.

Key points

(All statistics as at 31 March 2019 and 31 March 2020)

• the Government Hospitality wine cellar contained 32,078 bottles of wines and spirits in 2019
• the Government Hospitality wine cellar contained 32,921 bottles of wines and spirits in 2020
• total value of stock at cost £788,149 for FY 2018/19, and £810,896 for FY 19/20
• numbers of bottles used in 2017/18 and 2019/20:

	2018/19	2019/20
Wines	2,082	1,658
Reception Wines white	1,318	1,091
Reception Wines red	593	522
Spirits & Brandies	52	65
Total	4,045	3,336

	2018/19	2019/20
Revenue from sales of stock (see Sales below)	£44,200	£50,000 TBC
Repayments by other government departments for wines used	£16,985	£23,220
Expenditure on new stock (see Purchases below)	£46,906	£73,091
Value at cost of stock used	£57,780	£48,689

• English wines represent 49% of new purchases in 18/19 by value and volume, and 58% by value and 73% by volume in 2019/20.

Facts and figures

• the Government Hospitality wine cellar contained 32,078 bottles of wines and spirits
  as at 31 March 2019

• in March 2020 the cellar contained 32,921 bottles of wines and spirits

• total cost value of stock at 31 March 2019 was £788,149 (cf. 17/18 £802,340)

• total cost value of stock at 31 March 2020 was £810,896

• estimated market value of stock at 31 March 2019 £3.269m (cf. £3.290m 17/18)

• estimated market value of stock at 31 March 2020 £3.208m

• consumption rose by 2.8% in 2018/19

• consumption fell by 17.5% in 2019/20

• bottles used in 2018/19 : 4,045 (cf. 3,935 in 17/18)
• bottles used in 2019/20 : 3,336

	2018/19	2019/20
Average cost per bottle used	£14.28 (18/19)	£14.60
Average cost per bottle of wine purchased	£15.24	£17.25
Total receipts / revenues	£61,185	£23,220

• bottles of English and Welsh wine used in 2018/19 : 2,133 (including reception wines) = 53 % of total
• bottles of English and Welsh wine used in 2019/20 : 1,867 (including reception wines) = 56% of total

Usage data

(see Annex A for detailed usage breakdown)

Summary

	2018/19	2019/20
Bottles of wine used	2, 082	1, 658
Bottles of Reception Wines (white) used	1,318	1,091
Bottles of Reception Wines (red) used	593	522
Bottles of Spirits & Brandies used	52	65
Total	4, 045	3, 336

Usage by wine varieties

	Quantity (bottles) 2018/19	Quantity (bottles) 2019/20
Alsace	18	17
Argentina	0	6
Australia	141	9
Austria	0	2
Bordeaux (Red)	248	257
Bordeaux (White – Sauternes)	12	26
Burgundy (Red)	134	110
Burgundy (White)	217	122
Canada	28	13
Champagne	13	83
English (White non-reception)	175	163
English and Welsh (Sparkling)	640	613
Loire	7	25
Mosel	15	35
New Zealand	75	21
Port	61	57
Rhine	5	6
Rhône	40	21
South Africa	210	45
Spain	0	10
United States of America	43	17

Spirits

	Quantity (bottles) 2018/19	Quantity (bottles) 2019/20
Cognac / Armagnac / Brandy	1	1
Gin	35	47
Whisky	2	16
Pimm’s	14	1

Reception Wines

	Quantity (bottles) 2018/19	Quantity (bottles) 2019/20
White	1318	1091
Red	593	522

Information on the individual costs of the wines used and purchased is not released to protect Government Hospitality’s commercial interests (Freedom of Information Act 2000, section 43 (2) exemption) and its ability to achieve significant discounts from suppliers.

Sales/revenue

In 2018/19 Government Hospitality sold stock direct to Farr Vintners Ltd. In total, a return of £44,200 was realised through sales.

The following items were sold:

Wines	Quantity
Château Margaux 1988	24 bottles
Le Pin 1986	12 bottles
Château Haut Brion 1989	12 bottles
Krug 1982 (Magnums)	6 magnums

In addition, GH took receipts for wines used on functions for other government departments (ie. events not paid for from its own budget) totalling £16,985.

Total receipts / revenues: £61,185

In 2019/20 Government Hospitality identified stock to sell valued in excess of £50,000. The advent of the Coronavirus pandemic prevented the sale from taking place. The sale revenue for FY19/20 will be rolled into FY 2020/21.

In addition GH took receipts for wines used on functions for other government departments (ie. events not paid for from its own budget) totalling £23, 220.

Total receipts / revenues: £23,220

Purchases

All costs for the purchase of new stock in 2018/19 were covered by the sales of high value stock items or monies recovered from other government departments for work under-taken on their behalf. In 2018/19 Government Hospitality spent £ 46, 906 on new purchases for the cellar, at an average cost of £15.24 per bottle. 49% of the wine purchased by volume was English or Welsh.

The following types of wine were purchased:

Reception Wines

	Quantity
Chapel Down Bacchus 2017	1, 440 bottles
Valpolicella Allegrini 2016	960 bottles

Wines

	Quantity
English / Welsh sparkling	72 bottles
Port	320 bottles
Red Rhône	264 bottles (equivalent)

Spirits

	Quantity
Gin	35 bottles
Pimms	6 bottles

The costs for the purchase of new stock in 2019/20 were covered by monies recovered from other government departments or directly funded from the budget of Government Hospitality, pending the outstanding sale postponed due to the advent of the Coronavirus pandemic. In 2019/20 Government Hospitality spent £73,091 on new purchases for the cellar, at an average cost per bottle of £17.25. 73% of the wine purchased by volume was English or Welsh.

The following types of wine were purchased:

Reception wines

	Quantity
Chapel Down Bacchus 2017/18	1,440 bottles
Valpolicella Allegrini 2018	480 bottles

Wines

	Quantity
English / Welsh sparkling	1064 bottles
English / Welsh still	588 bottles
Red Bordeaux	396 bottles
Port	204 bottles

Spirits

	Quantity
Gin	60 bottles
Whisky	5 bottles

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