Latest news with #ProtectedDesignationofOrigin
LeMonde
20 hours ago
- Business
- LeMonde
The Swiss should drink more wine, says minister
The La Côte vineyard on the Vaud shores of Lake Geneva has been producing magnificent Chasselas wines for four centuries. This white grape variety has flourished within the region's schist and limestone soil, which gives it a subtle bouquet and a palate that is more mineral than floral, with an almost imperceptible sparkle. Yet, these qualities have not eased the bitterness of Swiss winegrowers, which has only increased as sales have declined. Wine consumption in Switzerland dropped by 8% in 2024, and by as much as 16% for Swiss wines specifically. Switzerland has not escaped the global trend. Worldwide wine consumption fell by 3.3% last year, reaching 214 million hectoliters – its lowest level since 1961. According to the Federal Office for Agriculture in Bern, Swiss wine's market share lost nearly four percentage points in a single year, dropping from 38.9% to 35.5%. This trend is expected to continue: As elsewhere in Europe, wine consumption is plummeting, especially among young people. As a sign of the times, Groupe Schenk, the largest wine producer in Switzerland, sent a letter at the end of June to its suppliers in Vaud and Geneva, announcing that it could not commit to taking on the entire 2025 AOC ("appellation d'origine contrôlée" − Protected Designation of Origin) harvest. "We reserve the right to downgrade part of it to vin de pays [country wine] and table wine, and we offer no guarantees on its value," wrote the group, based in Rolle, in the Vaud region. Although unsold stocks are piling up, Switzerland has not yet discussed the mass uprooting of vines, as is already happening in Bordeaux and the Southwest of France − two regions struggling with overproduction.
Cision Canada
25-04-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
'Great Gatherings' showcases the Best of Greek Wine & Cheese in Toronto
Press Event Highlights Europe's Finest Wine & Cheese to Canadian Media and Professionals TORONTO, April 25, 2025 /CNW/ - The 'Great Gathering's campaign is a three-year initiative aimed at increasing awareness and appreciation of European wine and cheese products among Canadian professionals and consumers. The Association of Leading Greek Producer Organizations of Top-Quality Wine and Cheese—comprising the Milk Producers Organization of the Agricultural Livestock Cooperative of Mesotopos Lesvos and the Producers' Organization of PGI Corinthia Wine, Organosi Paragogon Ampelooinikon Agiou Vasileiou IKE (PGVSV PC)—will host a press and industry event in Toronto, Canada, on April 29th, 2025, as part of the European Union co-funded campaign Great Gatherings. Mr. Dionysios Protopapas, Greece's Senior Trade Commissioner in Toronto, will speak about the growing demand in Canada for high-quality European agri-food products and the importance of strengthening trade and cultural ties through initiatives like Great Gatherings. Mr. Dimitrios Manolakis, representing PGVSV PC, will also address attendees, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the rigorous production processes that underpin the organization's approach to winemaking. Featured products will include Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Feta Cheese and Ladotyri Mytilinis, paired with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Corinthia wine. The tasting experience will highlight the remarkable harmony between these traditional Greek offerings and the high standards of European agricultural production. For more information about the campaign and upcoming events, visit Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A taste for discovery: why Europe's off-the-beaten-path flavors are captivating US consumers
NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With €25.1 billion in agri-food exports to the US in October 2024, the European Union (EU) continues to lead the global food and beverage industry by embracing and responding to evolving consumer preferences in the US innovative wines, spirits and beers to a resurgence in dairy products and a growing demand for organic options, Europe's diverse offerings cater to the dynamic demands of today's US market. Exploring Europe's emerging wine regions and thriving craft beverage sceneThe European wine and spirits sector is undergoing significant change, driven by consumers seeking unique, high-quality, and sustainable products. A key trend is the growing interest in lesser-known wine regions that offer distinctive flavors and rich histories. While the Loire Valley and Rioja remain popular, countries like Slovenia, Hungary, and Croatia are gaining recognition. Slovenia's crisp Rebula and Hungary's golden Tokaji PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) captivate wine lovers looking for complex flavors, while Greece and Bulgaria introduce exceptional reds and rosés, reflecting a broader rediscovery of Europe's hidden wine gems. This shift is largely influenced by a younger generation eager for new experiences and alternatives to craft beer and hard seltzers. Spirits remain the top choice for younger consumers, followed by beer and then wine. As preferences evolve, the EU is well-positioned to meet demand with a diverse range of artisanal beverages that blend tradition with innovation. Beyond wine, Europe's craft beverage scene is thriving. Germany is embracing hop-forward IPAs and barrel-aged beers, while Belgium continues to innovate with Lambics and Trappist ales. Scandinavian breweries are gaining recognition for bold stouts and sours, and Central Europe is modernizing its brewing heritage with fresh takes on classic lagers and ales. The spirits market is also expanding, led by France's Cognac PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), Armagnac PGI, and Spain's Brandy de Jerez PGI. The rise of craft gin in Spain, the Netherlands, and France reflects a broader trend of distilleries incorporating local botanicals for unique, regionally inspired flavors. The European craft spirits market, valued at USD 4.31 billion in 2025, is projected to reach USD 7.83 billion by 2030, highlighting the growing demand for premium, small-batch spirits. Dairy products: A new era of discoveryDairy products are experiencing a renaissance, driven by health-conscious consumers who recognize the nutritional benefits of milk and cheese. Packed with protein, calcium, and essential vitamins, and held to some of the world's highest safety standards, European dairy is increasingly sought after in markets like the US for its quality, authenticity, and craftsmanship. Beyond well-known European cheeses, lesser-known varieties are capturing the interest of adventurous consumers. Italy's Taleggio PDO, a soft, creamy cheese with a pungent aroma and rich, earthy depth, is winning over US cheese enthusiasts looking for bold flavors. Similarly, Spain's Roncal PDO, a traditional sheep's milk cheese from Navarre, offers a firm texture and deep, nutty intensity, appealing to those seeking handcrafted, distinctive alternatives to mainstream cheeses. Produced using time-honored techniques and sustainable practices, these cheeses showcase the diversity and innovation within Europe's dairy landscape. As American palates evolve, the demand for artisanal European cheeses is growing, driven by a desire for unique flavors that reflect tradition, terroir, and expert craftsmanship. Consumers, traders, importers and HoReCa professionals can now try out some of Europe's hidden gems at the series of dedicated events to European food and beverages throughout the year. You can find the list of events taking place across the US below. Europe's shift towards sustainable food practicesSustainability remains a key focus in the European food industry as consumers demand greater transparency, eco-friendly packaging, and responsibly sourced ingredients. In the US, organic product sales reached $69.7 billion in 2023, a 3.4% increase from the previous year, reflecting a broader shift toward ethical and health-conscious purchasing. EU's broader sustainable goal to create a fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly food system producing safe products also appeals to US consumers, who increasingly concern with the environmental impact of food production chains. New technologies to modernize agriculture are rolling out across the European Union to enhance sustainability across the supply chain by reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticide, tackling antimicrobial resistance, and converting 25% of EU farmland to organic farming by 2030. The EU "More than Europe Food and Drinks, Savoring Stories" campaign continuesThe EU launches the second year of its communication campaign in the United States. With a strong focus on education, the campaign will showcase the multifaceted nature of EU food categories through engaging platforms such as the European Tasty Tales podcast and the More than food US social media channels to share these narratives. EU culinary and wine connections engaging US consumers and tradeThe EU will connect directly with consumers across the US through a series of B2C events this year. On the agenda: tastings, pairings, educational sessions, and immersive dining experiences. At the same time, the EU will engage with B2B audiences through dedicated professional events and masterclasses designed for the trade audience. Not to be missed!Our next activities:Pebble Beach Food and Wine Festival – April 10-13, 2025, Pebble Beach, CABar Convent – June 10-11, New York, NYFood & Wine Classic – June 22-22, 2025, Aspen, COAmerican Cheese Society – July 23- 26, 2025, Sacramento, CAStar Chefs – August 15, Chicago, ILSomm Geo Seminar – Denver, CO and Houston, TX, - dates coming in May For more information about the Campaign, please check and follow us on:Instagram: @MorethanfoodUSLinkedIn: morethanfood_US@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE European Union Sign in to access your portfolio
The Guardian
07-03-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Xinomavro: the incredible Greek grape with the X-factor
No wry anecdotes this week, no obscure references or jokes that only I find clever or funny. Today, I'm getting serious about xinomavro. If you haven't heard of it, allow me to make its introduction, but if I'm already preaching to the choir, why are you still reading? Pour yourself a glass to have with lunch. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Derived from xino (meaning sour) and mavro (black), this is a grape with some serious gravitas. One of hundreds of grape varieties native to Greece, it has become the country's flagship red, and is now most synonymous with the region of Naoussa in Macedonia, the first Greek wine region to be awarded a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin). If you haven't tried xinomavro and want to know what it tastes like, it's a bit like a cross between a sort-of pinot noir and nebbiolo. Think bright-red fruit flavours with earthiness and firm tannins that signal a willingness and ability to age gracefully. Comparison only gets you so far, however, so while that might give you an idea of what to expect, xinomavro is also totally unique in and of itself. It's layered, idiosyncratic – this is serious stuff. And while xinomavro might be best known for producing red wines, it's also used to make rosé and sparkling wine (think of the latter as Greek blanc de noirs; I suggested a particularly good one from Domaine Karanika last Christmas, which is both alluring and half the price of some of the grandes marques you get in the supermarket). Half the bottles in today's pick are ready-to-drink, easy sippers – you know the type: find them in a supermarket, then use them as a gateway into a new fascination. But if you're a fan of mature, complex pinot or barolo, might I suggest a periodical scan of the Maltby & Greek website, a UK supplier of Greek produce, including a selection of wine from lesser-known (in the UK, at least) wineries, where just a few names dominate. Prices start in the late teens, but if you want to experience xinomavro's ability to age, they're certainly a step up from the supermarket offerings. In terms of food, look at xinomavro, again, as you might a pinot noir or nebbiolo. It can handle white or pink meats with ease, though I prefer to drink it with food that's a little more umami (which is typically a little harder to pair with), such as a mushroom risotto or goose with stuffing. It's a wine that feels familiar, yes, but it's not something that is made great by comparison. It's time to take xinomavro seriously. Wry anecdotes will resume next week. M&S Expressions Xinomavro £10.15 Ocado, 14%. Fruity and aromatic. Made by Kir-Yianni, who also makes Morrisons' delectable own-label assyrtiko. Thymiopoulos Atma Xinomavro £12.99 Waitrose, 13%. A real steal from a rising star in Greek wine. Silky forest fruit and good tannic structure. Theopetra Estate Xinomavro Rosé 2023 £18.75 Strictly Wines, 12.5%. After four hours in contact with the xinomavro, this rosé gives fresh grapefruit with subtle herbaceousness. Domaine Karanika Brut Rosé Xinomavro £26 Maltby & Greek, 11.5%. Imagine my delight when I learned they make a rosé cuvée. Not too sweet, not too sharp.
