Change in the leadership team of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board: Following Wilhelm Klinger’s announcement last December to gradually step back from his duties as Managing Director, his successor has been elected after a thorough selection process. Chris Yorke will take over the leadership of AWMB in 2020. Willi Klinger has been leading the Austrian Wine Marketing Board since 2007. His clearfocus on quality has seen the international reputation of Austrian wine grow significantly, resulting in record export numbers. Following a thorough multi-stage selection process involving more than 90 applicants, the supervisory board is pleased (…)

The Portuguese company Sogrape has acquired a majority stake in British importer Liberty Wines, while Piper and Charles Heidsieck have acquired a minority stake. Sogrape acquired an initial stake in Liberty Wines in March 2017, but this is a new investment by the owners of Piper and Charles Heidsieck, whose interests also include Biondi-Santi and Château La Verriere. Liberty Wines became Charles Heidsieck’s British and Irish agent seven years ago, recently joined by Piper-Heidsieck and Rare as well. Raquel Seabra of Sogrape and Damien Lafaurie of Champagne Heidsieck will join the board of Liberty Wines. Liberty’s co-founder, David (…)

Around 2,500 cases of the new Chinese wine from Lafite Rothschild has been elaborated from the 2017 vintage. The wines will be released on 19 September 2019, initially in China. The name of the domaine was also released: Domaine de Long Dai. Long Dai 2017 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Marselan, and Cabernet Franc, although Syrah has also been planted. The Domaines Barons de Rothschild (DBR) took 10 years to develop this project and market the first wine from this estate, which covers nearly 25 hectares, with an additional five hectares to be added (…)