Iconic Volcanic Trade, Press & Consumer Tasting

2nd October

“Volcanic Wines of the World, you’re starting a generic called that. That is a really smart idea because there must be so many niches all around the world, which sort of get lost in the corners. Each of them has something really rather special and rather wonderful. You can draw them all together. Brilliant!” – Oz Clarke OBE

Volcanic Wines of the World  aftermath spurs on burgeoning new category for the trade

On Monday 2^nd October, the new trade generic Volcanic Wines of the World by Drinks Cru launched at One Whitehall Place in central London with a firm commitment to empowering the trade in volcanic wine, on a global basis. A trade and press sell-out two months in advance, this inaugural showcase event featured a rolling series of interactive masterclasses throughout the day together with volcanic food and wine pairings, a digital volcanic art gallery with the premiere of independent film ‘Pele, Goddess of Fire’ plus magic with wine-themed cards and live music playing on into the evening.

For the first time ever in the UK, visitors were able to try wines in parallel across a range of volcanic terroirs followed by a dynamic Wine Lovers’ Evening Showcase. With keynotes and masterclasses running at half hourly intervals throughout the day, topics ranged from ‘Supremely Aged Rieslings’ by Dr Enno Lippold, ‘Terroir Taste-Off’ by the highly acclaimed Leta Bester of London Wine Academy, ‘Passion for Volcanic’ by wine educator Joe ‘The Wine Guy’ Morgan and ‘The Alchemy of Flavour’ which included mouth-watering Parmigiano Biscotti and Tiramisu Reimagined with Santo Wines’ Vinsanto by the development chef from Gerard Basset days, Rich Reynolds.

“The surge in popularity of volcanic wines is positively explosive at the moment, as they continue to captivate consumers, trade professionals
and the global media, with demand set to grow exponentially”

The dazzling line-up of leading volcanic wine producers from all corners of the globe included Spyro Lemanis from Santorini’s jewel in the crown Domaine Sigalas who poured world-class wines all day together with running in-depth masterclasses. “The Santorini whites were a revelation. This demonstrated what the proper winemakers are producing” commented a trade buyer. Meanwhile Ollie Horton from Wine Shop Lanzarote & Wine Tours Lanzarote treated attendees with a dazzling selection of wines from the Canaries. For Ollie, this was the first time he had shown his wines in the UK and his table positively thronged with visitors from dawn to dusk: “Monday was an unforgettable experience. There were three of us speaking for 10 hours straight, while presenting wines from Lanzarote and Tenerife to Masters of Wine, sommeliers & professionals from the trade … the wines went down an absolute storm and hopefully this is the start of an exciting new journey.”

Old Vines Hero nominee, Dr Enno Lippold presented his supremely aged Grand Cru Rieslings from tiny parcels on red slate with rhyolite from the Mosel, together with fellow countryman Felix Schäfer showing natural ferment wines from both Mosel and Pantelleria under his Vinifelici label. “The Rieslings were so delicate and completely different to the more traditional style I’m used to sampling” remarked a wine-engaged globetrotter at the evening showcase. Strong volcanic portfolios from Robin ‘The Egg Man’ Baum, Mondial Wines, south of the island Hatzidakis from Santorini, an impressive range of Henriques & Henriques Madeiras (from dry to sweet) plus Planeta from Sicily also proved popular. Thanks to Pendergast’s Somm to the stars, Wayne Baxendale, attendees were treated to Napa Valley’s legendary Mayacamas Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.