Episode description

Today in Wine News

China has been proclaiming the positive effects of “soft power”, or cultural strength, for years. After years of government efforts to raise the country’s cultural capital, China rose from fifth place to third place in Brand Finance London’s Global Soft Power Index this year - its highest placement yet. 

How will China’s burgeoning wine culture affect the global perception of its soft power? In a globally dwindling wine industry, what role does Chinese wine - and Chinese wine culture - play in the international economy of wine?

Keep listening to learn more.

-

Further Reading

* “Could wine play a role in Chinese soft power?” (Eloise Maldan/The Drinks Business)

* “Edward Ragg MW on Chinese Wine’s Evolution and Life After Wine Advocate” (Natalie Wang/Vino Joy News)

* “Renowned brand survey reveals China’s soft power ranks in world’s top 3 for first time” (GT Staff Reporters/Global Times)

* “China’s Wine Has Gotten Really, Really Good” (Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jensen/Robb Report)

In Other News

Here are some additional highlights from the week:

Napa Valley is the first wine region in the world to get name protection rights in Mexico. Napa Valley Vintners, a collective of Napa-based winemakers, has been the main vehicle behind labeling laws regarding Napa Valley wines since 2000. Mexico is one of the top five export countries for Napa Valley wines, and a Wine Institute study from May 2023 shows that the Mexican market for Napa Valley wines has grown 25% year over year.

* Napa Valley Vintners Press Release/Wine Business

Château Pichon Baron has released their first still white wine. The legendary second growth estate based in Pauillac has given the world “Les Griffons de Pichon Baron”, a still white wine made of 100% Sémillon. To learn more about this year’s en primeur offerings from Bordeaux, take a look at this previously released article from Brunello Bombshell.

* Château Pichon Baron releases new white wine (Rupert Millar/Decanter)

And finally, Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, Southern Oregon’s flagship label for Burgundian grapes, has put its winery and state-of-the-art tasting room up for sale. The 62-acre estate, located just five miles from the heart of downtown Ashland, has been listed for almost $9 million dollars by real estate broker Chris Martin.

* “Rogue Valley’s most sophisticated wine getaway is for sale at $9M” (Janet Eastman/The Oregonian) 

That’s all the news this week. Thank you for listening to The Wine Press!

Become a subscriber and be the first to receive new episodes of The Wine Press, as well as Wine and Movie Pairings and more articles in your inbox every week. And while you’re in the subscribing spirit, be sure to follow along on Instagram and TikTok at brunellobombshell. You can also submit a breaking wine news story via email to thewinepresspodcast@gmail.com. 

We’ll be back next Thursday with a new crop of wine news. Until then, cheers and happy drinking!

The Wine Press is a Brunello Bombshell podcast, supported by readers and wine drinkers like you. To receive new posts and support this work, consider becoming a free or premium subscriber.