Mobilise the masses against the Mosel massacre
Monday 12 July
If you’re a Mosel Riesling lover, here’s another chance to do your bit to save the region’s best vineyards from obliteration.
If you’ve not already heard, a 160-metre-high bridge is under construction connecting the Mosel from the village of Urzig to a new four-lane motorway above some of the best Riesling vineyards in the world.
The road will run on a ridge above the famous vineyards of Zeltingen, Wehlen and Graach, mowing down the forest land. The deep trenches needed to build the road will cut off vital water to the surrounding vineyards, add to pollution and ruin a popular tourist area.
We’ve had a petition, a protest, and wine magazine readers are surely aware of this heinous crime but the wider public have been largely oblivious. Until now… Ernie Loosen, one of the major producers that will be affected by this ludicrous bridge has been a vociferous opponent of the bridge but now he is bringing the fight to the attention of the consumer.
The “Bridge Too Far” neck hanger campaign has been launched in the UK with major retailers including Sainsbury’s and Asda agreeing to carry the neck hangers on Loosen’s wines. I think this is great but why not extend it to fellow Mosel producers and taking the campaign to more people?
Nevertheless it’s worth buying a bottle, taking it round to your friends’, and spreading the word.
Louis Roederer shortlist announced
Tuesday 6 July
Apologies for the delay in posting a blog this week – I have been flying back to the UK from New Zealand and I feel like I’ve been hit across the head with a sledgehammer.
But some good news has managed to stir me from my slightly dazed state: I have been short listed for the inaugural ‘Emerging Wine Writer of the Year’ award at the 2010 Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Awards. Hooray!
Anyway, that’s enough blowing my own trumpet for one day.
Nominees for the other awards are:-
International Wine Feature Writer of the Year 2010
Joanne Gibson, Jamie Goode, Margaret Rand, and John Stimpfig
International Wine Columnist of the Year 2010
Michael Fridjhon, Andrew Jefford, Will Lyons, Anthony Rose
International Wine Book of the Year 2010
Nick Belfrage for The Finest Wines of Tuscany and Central Italy; Michael Edwards for The Finest Wines of Champagne; Benjamin Lewin for What Price Bordeaux, and Remington Norman and Charles Taylor MW for The Great Domaines of Burgundy
Regional Wine Writer of the Year 2010
Tom Bruce-Gardyne, Rose Murray Brown MW, Liz Sagues, Helen Savage
International Wine Publication of the Year 2010
Decanter Magazine, Imbibe Magazine, The World of Fine Wine
International Wine Website of the Year 2010 (not rebeccagibb.com sadly. Next year?!)
www.wine-pages.com, www.wineanorak.com, www.Catavino.net and www.jancisrobinson.com
International Wine Columnist / Blogger of the Year 2010
Andrew Jefford, Anthony Rose, Kate Thal and Simon Woods
