The Press Trip & Coming at Campania
Year 16, No. 03
Highlights: Campania & Taurasi 2026
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The wine press trip.
I feel there are few people that don’t salivate when hearing these three words together. It’s a completely justified reaction as all who are invited to attend do their damnedest to paint the trip in as glowing a light as possible. I think anyone can understand why as getting a free trip to very pretty places in the world with excellent food, and of course, le vin, is incredibly appealing.
There however exists a general omertà amongst those in the wine media circles when a trip goes sideways, which, given the amount of moving parts to one of these events, can and does happen. Why the code of silence, or at least being light on sordid details? It’s simply that no one wants to upset this particular economy given that it’s now an exceedingly crucial component in the slim profit margins comprising writing about wine these days. Also, many assume there is some point in the no-so-distant future where these trips may very well go the way of the dodo.
Despite appearances and no matter how many times my fellow colleagues mention it, such trips are an insane amount of work. No one amongst us would dare to ask for even a milligram of sympathy in the matter (again, excellent food and, the wine) and no one wants to be on a trip with others treating it as a free vacation. I can speak readily to that as there’s at least one individual I’ve encountered recently that clearly can’t smell and evaluate wine anymore (probably due to a past Covid infection) but whose hubris sees them more than happy to hop on a free trip and fake it, which is simply insidious.
I know in the past that they’ve been painted as drunk fests and it seems they were in another era long before my time. But now, they’re serious affairs with a group of focused people absorbed by the twelve-hour days which see many of those hours spent bouncing around in very uncomfortable vans. Only Sir Robert Parker was ‘limo-ed’ around when doing Bordeaux reports and that’s because he shelled out for it. Likewise, it’s only when I’m on my own, non-press trip, trips to wine regions that I have a chauffeur, who also happens to arrange my travel plans and meals—amazing fellow if I do say so myself.
So, why keep doing it, if it’s so ‘awful’?
No matter the size (and I’ve experienced trips of 50 attendees down to just myself and two others), you need to cover a huge amount of ground in a limited time in order to present anything of value to your readers. Minus one or two individuals, in doing this for 15+ years, no one is getting shitfaced as there’s simply too much to do, see, taste, and write up. Many people are abstaining from alcohol completely which should further crumple any image of these being free drinky trips. To be the least bit effective, you need a clear head as it’s something of an overload for all the senses.
I make mention of the wine press trip as late last fall I found myself in Campania, Italy, bouncing around small roads, in one of those ubiquitous nine-seater Euro vans. It wasn’t an easy trip, but I came away with the feeling, after three days visiting for this new report on the region that Campania is perhaps not the easiest place to visit. The producers seemed to admit as much as they’re very aware that everyone heads to either Naples or the Amalfi Coast and little of that tourism gold dust seems to blow their way.
This is a pity as the region, despite not really being developed for tourism, is very pretty and the people, very friendly and welcoming like most everywhere in the interior of Italy. In terms of the wines, there’s something for everyone as while the red wines from Aglianico grape can be very hearty, they also produce excellent white wines from Greco di Tufo, Fiano, and Falanghina.
I say this as I definitely want to go back someday and soon.
There was however a much easier trip recently as it only meant that my chauffeur had to drive me an hour from home to see and taste the Brandy of Torres. I feel like people might only know the Torres wines, but this side of the business produces some excellent Brandy and at wonderful prices for the level of quality. I rated and reviewed their entire line for the article.
Also of note from Torres is their new Casals Vermouth which they produce in both a regular version as well as a non-alcoholic 0.0% version. Torres has been working on non-alcoholic wines looooong before they became a trend (since 2008!) and I have to say that while the 0.0% version didn’t have the fuller body of the regular version, it was still quite pleasant. As for the regular, it’s more bitter leaning than most Catalan Vermouths and nearly Italian in style, thus for me, it’s a winner.
Lastly, a couple of weeks ago, Janina Doyle of the Eat, Sleep, Wine, Repeat Podcast reached out for me to come on as a guest and have a chat about Croatian wines. The full episode just came out and you can give it a listen, (*) which I highly recommend unless for some reason you don’t want to know ‘everything’ about Croatian wines ;)
Drink well, be well.
-Miquel
(*) Free to read
The Featured Report
Campania & Taurasi 2026
A unique, inland land with a very, very wide variety of wines, some ageless, some fresh, but all very much Southern Italy.
Drink It or Sink It
An evolving look at the sub-5€ end of the wine world with a great many more ‘Drinks’ than ‘Sinks’. Follow along on the main channels via Instagram or YouTube.
Ponce de Albayda Blanco - IG | YT
And now this
If you’re going to go “Top Shelf” when it comes to Croatian wines, then it means you’re going to go for none other than the Stina – Stipančić from local grape star, Plavac Mali.
Do you want a “chilled red”? Of course you do! Even if it’s not currently warm in your hemisphere, a light, red wine like the Tenuta Cavalier Pepe – Rossochiaro will treat you very well.
And of course it’s time to have a look at how the wines of the DOQ Priorat 2018 vintage are standing up. A complicated year that’s always in need of a clear analysis.