Favourite Things Tearful vignerons can call helpline

A helpline has been launched to provide psychological support for French winegrowers to cope with the damage from this summer’s mildew, which is reported to have impacted up to 90% of vineyards.

Fred Davids

Kelder Wines, Manchester

Favourite wine on my list

For a wine which never disappoints I must choose Pirivano’s Salento Rosso. Malvasia Nera and Negroamaro produce wines which are ruby red in colour, rich and inviting, with notes of dried fruit, tobacco and leather. On the palate, it’s full bodied, soft, almost sweet, but also persistent.

Favourite wine and food match

This has to be a great Malbec with a succulent steak sandwich. It might be basic, but it works for me every time, and I believe in life’s simple pleasures!

Favourite wine trip

My heritage is South African so when I get to visit my family in Cape Town, I love to take a trip out to Stellenbosch or Franschhoek.

Favourite wine trade person

Phil and Julian Garrett from Winos in Oldham. They have supported us from the day we started selling wine at the local artisan market and have provided us with great advice and support for what must be over seven years now. Their kindness and generosity will never be forgotten.

Favourite wine shop

Ad Hoc in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. It’s unpretentious and has a great range of wines and beers. I encourage all our team to check it out when they are in the city. I always leave there feeling inspired.

French authorities felt the service was necessary after a spell of unusual weather wiped out swathes of vines in the Bordeaux region.

The crops’ failure has left growers feeling “dejected” and re-evaluating the viability of their farms, according to industry experts.

Nicolas Morain, who has been manning the helpline, reported that the wife of one grower had called him in tears. “These calls are from people who are really in distress,” he said.

The Telegraph, July 21

Kingsland sources Ukrainian wines

From August, Kingsland Drinks will be importing a range of Ukrainian wines. The Bolgrad range, sourced from Odesa, includes Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon and Saperavi.

Odesa is one of the emerging territories in Eastern Europe, an area known for its diverse range of grapes and growing conditions, microclimates and high-quality wines.

About Manchester, July 24

US firm bypasses London wine fees

US investment firm Vint has created Vint Marketplace, a retail site that allows customers to access fine wine investment without involving a UK agent.

CEO Nick King says: “Prior to the launch of Vint, interested Americans had to work with an agent, mainly in the UK. You would send someone in London $50k and you would get a list of wines back. We saw an opportunity there, as that approach was opaque and largely inefficient.”

Decanter, July 19

Philip Tuck MW

Hatch mourns one of its founders

Philip Tuck MW, who co-founded and served as the director of wine for Hatch Mansfield, has died in a cycling accident in France.

Born in 1963, Tuck graduated from Sussex University and went straight into the wine trade, joining Avery’s of Bristol, after which he spent time working in wineries in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, California and Tuscany.

In 1999 he became a Master of Wine and later sat on the MW Council.

He was also an accomplished sportsman, being an active member of the Wine Trade Sports Club, and was noted as a keen cricketer and squash player.

The Drinks Business, July 21