Charles Symington is the New President of Primum Familiae Vini July 2, 2024 -   Each year, Primum Familiae Vini (PFV), an association of twelve prestigious families from the world of wine, appoints one of its members as President to oversee the association for the year and act as its representative at various events around the world.   This year, Charles Symington of the Symington Family Estates in Portugal succeeds Véronique Drouhin of Maison Joseph Drouhin in France as PFV President for the period of July 2024 to June 2025.   Charles Symington states, "I am extremely honored to be taking over from my predecessors at Primum Familiae Vini and to support our twelve families who share the same values: the culture of excellence, love and respect for the earth and the terroir, and the powerful desire to remain family-run, independent businesses and transmit the heritage of our ancestors to the next generation.   These are particularly exciting times at PFV.  The last twelve months have been fruitful under Véronique Drouhin's leadership, with major advances on climate change issues within the technical committee.  Among initiatives that I would like to draw,  I will very shortly be proposing that the technical committee focuses on the evaluation of Artificial Intelligence in viticulture and winemaking, a subject of the future that will enable the new generations within the twelve families to contribute their knowledge and share it with our entire group."  About Primum Familiae Vini (PFV) Primum Familiae Vini is an invitation-only  organization of twelve of the world's most historic and lauded wine producers.   Their mission is to represent the highest level of excellence in the world of wine to be synonymous with both exquisite quality and sustainability; to blend family heritage and innovation and to be aspirational through their vision and passion.  www.pfv.org The Twelve Members of the PFV: Marchesi Antinori (Tuscany, Italy), Baron Philippe de Rothschild (Bordeaux, France), Maison Joseph Drouhin (Burgundy, France), Domaine Clarence Dillon (Bordeaux, France), Egon Müller Scharzhof (Mosel, Germany), Famille Hugel (Alsace, France), Pol Roger (Champagne, France), Famille Perrin (Rhône Valley, France), Symington Family Estates (Portugal), Tenuta San Guido (Bolgheri, Italy), Tempos Vega Sicilia (Ribera del Duero, Spain) and Familia Torres (Penedes, Spain).   Media contacts: United States   Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET                            Charles Communications Associates                          kcharles@charlescomm.com                                      415-730-0064                                                              Europe Guillaume Jourdan Vitabella info@vitabella.fr 33 (0)6 82 36 68 67

Master Sommelier Writes Definitive Wine-Tasting Guide for Professionals and Novices October 13, 2023 - Rio Rancho, NM – Master Sommelier Tim Gaiser has released an updated version of Message in the Bottle: A Guide to Tasting Wine (ISBN: 978-1955750479). The book is a valuable resource for professional tasters, as well as an outstanding guide for the casual enthusiast who wants to learn more about how to appreciate a glass of wine. Message in the Bottle is a compilation of Gaiser’s thirty-plus years of international wine-tasting and teaching experience. After working on the text for over ten years, Gaiser finally had the opportunity to put the manuscript together during the 2020 COVID pandemic. On release, the wine-tasting guide quickly surged to the top rankings on Amazon. “The original intent was to write something for “Jedi Knights in training,” as a colleague calls students in the wine certification programs,” Gaiser says. “However, a dear friend and fellow Master Sommelier colleague pointed out that once the book was released, consumers just getting into wine would also be interested it. I realized that I needed to make the text as user-friendly as possible." With that, Gaiser went back to the drawing board and rewrote all the chapters to include introductions and recommendations on how to use the information. The result is a comprehensive resource for the serious wine student, as well as a clear-cut guide for anyone who wants to learn the secrets of tasting wine. As Emily Wines, Master Sommelier and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Court of Master Sommeliers Americas, states "For all of those who've struggled with the art and technique of blind tasting, this is the ultimate guide." Peter Marks, Master of Wine, agrees, stating “'Message in the Bottle'” should be another standard in anyone’s wine library along with “The Oxford Companion to Wine” and “The World Atlas of Wine.”  A Decanter Magazine review states that "this Guide to Tasting Wine compiles strategies and insights gained over more than 30 years of teaching and working as a sommelier. While many sections are aimed at helping sommeliers pass the tough MS exam, there are useful tools for wine novices through to those wanting to brush up on blind tasting skills." Somm Journal publisher, Meredith May, wrote, "Applying his three decades of experience in tasting, teaching, and writing, Gaiser divides and conquers concepts both objective and subjective. For those prepping for exams, Message in the Bottle may be one of the most valuable tomes in your arsenal." Beyond requisite skills, the Message in the Bottle includes an entire section on strategies for improving focus, concentration, and smell and taste memory—all using visualization. It also features a list of suggested producers for tasting practice, instructions for writing tasting notes and wine tech sheets, and a series of essays on wine, making it not only the go-to reference for aspiring sommeliers and wine professionals, but an enjoyable read about one of life’s greatest, most enduring pleasures. Message in the Bottle: A Guide to Tasting Wine was published by Networlding Publishing in December 2022 and is available in both eBook and paperback formats from major distributors. For more information, images, interviews, or review copies please contact tgaiser@earthlink.net. About Tim Gaiser, MS Tim Gaiser is an internationally renowned wine expert and lecturer. He is one of less than 300 individuals worldwide to ever attain the elite Master Sommelier title. He is the former Director of Education and Education chair for the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, and an instructor for the Napa Valley Wine Academy. Over his 30-plus year career, Tim has taught thousands of students in wines and spirits classes at every level as well as developing wine education programs for restaurants, winery schools and wine distributors. He has experience in all phases of the wine industry: online, wholesale, retail, winery, and restaurants. Tim has written for several publications including Fine Cooking Magazine and the Somm Journal and also writes for numerous wine and spirits clients. He has served as the author and lead judge for the Best Young Sommelier Competition and the Top Somm Competition. Prior to developing his wine expertise, Tim received an M.A. in Classical Music. He played classical trumpet as a freelance professional and as an extra with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra. He currently lives with his family in New Mexico.

Charles Communications Associates Celebrates 20 Years in 2023 Wine Marketing Agency Reflects on two decades of excellence San Francisco, CA January 31, 2023 - This year marks the 20th anniversary for Charles Communications Associates (CCA), a leading wine marketing firm headquartered in San Francisco, California.   What began at the dining room table of founder Kimberly Charles in 2003 with her first client, noted actor and vintner Fess Parker, has grown over the last twenty years to represent clients in Japan, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South America and the U.S with a dynamic team.  In 2021, Meininger's International named CCA one of the top 10 wine & spirits companies in the United States and Founder and President Kimberly Charles likes to say, "We have kept our momentum in these twenty years, pacing with changing technologies, media landscapes, larger trends within our industry and with consumer preferences.   That consistent push to keep relevant and nimble has been a big part of our success." Charles Communications Associates was early to the tech scene when it debuted the Brandlive platform in 2012, engaging with vintners and media via interactive video meet ups.   A precursor to today's ubiquitous zoom meetings, CCA saw early on the value of connecting from the comfort of one's home with vintners around the world.    Always with an eye to sustainability through innovative partnerships and impact investing as well as aligning with companies who espoused sustainable beliefs, CCA was an early adopter to what is today a new baseline for the way companies operate and market their brands.   Another pillar of CCA's core beliefs is in supporting women led or owned companies.   Many of CCA's client base have powerful women as CEOs such as Wente Vineyards, Domaine Carneros, the Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene among others.  CCA has worked with a large majority of legacy families in the California wine business including the Wentes, the Mondavis, the Gallos among others, helping them to shape their narrative and claiming their place in the continuum of history.   At the core of the company's belief system, has been a dedication to continuous improvement and education.   Among the first U.S. cohort to earn the challenging Diploma certification from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, founder Kimberly Charles has always kept the educational focus front and center with her client programming, executing programs with substance, relevance and meaning.   Early to adopt a work/life balance with her team, she works with a network of associates in Cape Town, New York, California, and beyond.    When asked what's ahead of the next industry curve, Charles likes to share that relationships will always be the company's stock and trade.   Cultivating long term connections with clients, media and gatekeepers in the trade will continue.  As she shares, "A good story never goes out of style." Discover more about Charles Communications Associates at www.charlescomm.com or on Instagram and Facebook @AlltheSwirl.