Thursday, April 30, 2026

Frank Morgan Named Virginia Wineries Association Wine Person of the Year 2026



Photos: Frank Morgan (facebook)

Frank Morgan was named Virginia Wineries Association Wine Person of the Year 2026 on March 26, 2026 in Richmond, Virginia.

Frank Morgan (AI) 

Frank Morgan
is a prominent Virginia wine writer, columnist, and the current Director of Judging for the Virginia Governor's Cup Wine Competition. A Virginia native based in Chesapeake, he has spent over 15 years chronicling the state's wine industry through his blog, Drink What YOU Like, which he founded in 2009.
Key Roles and Contributions
 
Judging Leadership: He has served as the Director of Judging for the Virginia Governor's Cup for three consecutive years (2024–2026), overseeing the blind evaluation of hundreds of local wines by panels of world-class experts.
 
Columnist & Author: Morgan writes regular wine columns for The Virginian-Pilot and the Daily Press. He is also the Associate Editor of Virginia Wine Lover Magazine.
 
Advocacy: He founded #VAWineChat, a monthly virtual gathering and "talk show" that connects winemakers with enthusiasts to discuss Virginia’s evolving wine regions.
 
Competition Organizer: Beyond the Governor's Cup, he organizes competitions for the Monticello and Shenandoah Valley Wine Trails.
Recent Highlights (2026)
 
Record-Setting Competition: Under his direction, the 2026 Governor's Cup saw a record 214 gold medals awarded, with Valley Road Vineyards 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve taking the top prize.
 
Industry Recognition: On March 26, 2026, he was honored with an award for his extensive coverage of Virginia wine at the Eastern Winery Exposition.
 
Meeting Frank Morgan 
 
 
Picture: Christian Schiller and Frank Morgan in Brescia, Italy, see: Blogging,Wining and Dining at the European Wine Bloggers Conference (#EWBC)October 2011 in Brescia, Italy – A Tour D’ Horizont)  
 
 
Picture: Christian Schiller and Frank Morgan of Virginia Live Chat. See: Virginia Wine Chat “Live” with Frank Morgan at Breaux Vineyards, Virginia, USA 


Picture: Annette Schiller with Frank Morgan at the 2017 Governor‘s Cup Gala in Richmond, Virginia, USA  

 
Picture: Washington DC Wine Bloggers - (from left to right) Christian Schiller (schiller-wine) Isaac James Baker (Reading, Writing and Wine) Annette Schiller (Ombiasy Wine Tours) Aaron Nix-Gomez (Hogshead Wine) David White (Terroirist) Frank Morgan (Drink What You Like). See: Virginia versus the World – A Blind Taste-Off, USA    
 
schiller-wine: Related Postings 
Announcement: Small Group (12 people) Wine Tours to Europe (Italy and Germany) this Year (2026) by ombiasy WineTours with Annette Schiller  
 
Overview: Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours led by Annette Schiller - Facebook Day-by-day Postings 

Summary of Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours, led by Annette Schiller: Wine, Food, History, Culture 

Summary: Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Summary: From Lyon to Paris - Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours (July 02 - 13, 2023)

Summary: Austria 2023 by ombiasy WineTours - 12 Days: May 28 - June 08, 2023 

Christian Schiller`s SCHILLER-WINE Blog on Corking Wines` Top 101 Wine Writers of 2020 List

The 2025 American Wine Society National Conference in Chantilly/ Virginia/ USA, with Annette and Christian Schiller: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

2022 Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Virginia, USA 

Massive Tasting of Bordeaux 1982 - the Vintage that made Robert Parker a Star, USA/ France

Kékfrankos - Blaufränkisch - Lemberger: A Grape’s Immigration Story From Central Europe To The US West Coast - Seminar at the 2023 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Louis/ Missouri/ USA led by Annette Schiller

The New German Wine Law of 2021 - Tasting at the German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter), presented by Annette Schiller

schiller-wine Blog of Christian Schiller Top Washington DC Alcohol Blog (December, 2024)

2024 Annual Meeting of the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, a 45 Years Old Wine Brotherhood in the Famous Wine Village Hochheim, Rheingau, Germany, with Annette Schiller, Founding Member, and Christian Schiller

Masterclass - The Wines of Germany: Presentation by Annette Schiller at the German Embassy in Washington DC/ Consular Conference March 2024 

Dinner at JAN in Munich, Germany, with Jan Hartwig, one of the ten German 3-star Michelin Chefs (September 2024) 


2025 Rieslingfeier Gala Dinner in New York City, Sky Loft, 32nd Floor of 50 Hudson Yard, with 15 #worldclass Winemakers from Germany + Austria and Estimated 300 Wines, many 20, 30, 40 Years old, many Larger Format and almost all Ultra-premium 

 
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Wednesday, April 29, 2026

The Hagstrom Report: The Agricultural Service of the Embassy of France in Washington DC, USA, Held a Masterclass to Explore the Richness of French Wines, Led by Annette Schiller (March 2026)


THE HAGSTROM REPORT is a news service providing original national and international agricultural news to our subscribers by daily email.

We cover Congressional hearings, markups and press conferences in Washington D.C., and farm meetings throughout the United States. 

The Agricultural Service of the Embassy of France last Friday held what it called a “wine masterclass to explore the richness of French wines, featuring selections from Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Rhône Valley.”

To an invited group of diplomats from other embassies, Agriculture Department officials and journalists, Annette Schiller, a wine educator member of the American Wine Society, explained the differences among the French wine producing regions and the differences in quality of the various wines that were offered for tasting. 

France has 12 wine regions, Schiller noted. Many of the vineyards were in the hands of the clergy until the French Revolution in 1789 when they were secularized.

Although tradition is important, French wine making does change over time. One of the notable changes has been the shift from concrete vats to stainless still vats for fermentation. 

Here are a few photos of the afternoon.

A view of the French wine masterclass at La Maison Française, the French Embassy’s event space on the embassy grounds on Reservoir Road in Washington DC
 

Christian Ligeard, the agricultural counselor at the French Embassy, welcomes guests at the wine masterclass. 
 

Annette Schiller, a wine educator from the American Wine Society, leads the class.
 

A summary of the differences among Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rhône wines.
 
 
The first group of wines for tasting: A 2024 Saint-Véran Chardonnay from Burgundy; a 2023 Château Respide-Médeville Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blend from Bordeaux; and a 2023 Viognier Vignes d'à Coté, Yves Cuilleron from the Rhône Valley.
 

The second group of wines for tasting: a 2023 Santenay Rouge, Domaine Marc Colin et Fils, Pinot Noir from Burgundy; a 2018 Château Mondésir-Gazin, Blaye "Bardon" Merlot-Malbec blend from Bordeaux; and a 2023 Cairanne, Vielles Vignes, Domaine A. Berthet Rayne blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carmignan from the Rhône Valley.
 


The third group of wines for tasting: A 2021 Vosne-Romanée, Dame Juliette, Vielle Vignes, Bernard Rion Pinot Noir; a 2021 Château Brane-Cantenac Margaux; and a 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vielles Vignes, Domaine de Le Prerieure des Papes from the Rhône Valley.

 

At the end of the wine tasting, only corks are left.
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Tuesday, April 28, 2026

German Wine Institute: US Market Dampens Germany's Wine Exports in 2025 (March 2026)

  
 


 
German Wine Institute: US Market Dampens Germany's Wine Export Balance in 2025
 
Press Release on 16.03.26

German wine exporters report a mixed outcome for the past year. According to the German Wine Institute (DWI), global exports of German wine increased by one percent in 2025 compared with the previous year, while the value of exports declined by two percent to €377 million.

Quality wines, which accounted for 71 percent of German wine exports of altogether 1.2 million hectoliters, were largely unaffected by the downturn. Their export volume rose by three percent, and their export value remained almost stable.

Sharp Decline in Exports to the US

The 2025 export balance was substantially impacted by a significant drop in shipments to the United States, Germany’s most important export market. Due to punitive tariffs, exports to the U.S. fell by 11 percent to 118,000 hectoliters. German exporters also had to reduce their selling prices: the average ex‑cellar price declined by €0.41 to €4.43 per liter. As a result, the value of exports dropped even more sharply, decreasing by 19 percent to €51 million.

Alternative Export Markets

Due to the uncertain market situation in the U.S., many wine exporters are attempting to gain a foothold in other export markets. Countries such as those in Scandinavia, Poland, and China developed positively over the past year. In terms of market significance, the three Scandinavian countries Norway, Sweden, and Finland—with an export volume of 211,000 liters worth €71 million—now rank well ahead of the U.S.

Competitive Advantage from the Trend Toward White Wine

“We are currently benefiting from the global trend toward increased consumption of white and lighter wines. With two-thirds of vineyard area planted with white varieties, German producers are well positioned,” explained DWI Marketing Director Steffen Schindler. “Producers are also increasingly active in export markets to compensate for declining sales in the domestic market,” he added.

Norway, the second most important export nation for German wines, recorded a four percent increase in export volume last year, while maintaining stable export value. The average price achieved was an attractive €4.77 per liter—significantly higher than the overall German wine export average of €3.14 per liter.

Despite a four percent decline in total wine consumption in Sweden, German wine exports there rose sharply—up 32 percent in volume and 44 percent in value. With a 14 percent value share of white wine purchases, Germany is Sweden’s second-largest supplier in this segment. German rosés and sparkling wines are also enjoying growing popularity in Sweden.

The Polish market has also shown highly dynamic development for German wine exporters in recent years. From 2020 to 2025, exports doubled to 142,000 hectoliters worth €31 million. As a result, Poland has moved from eighth place to third among the most important export markets.

Imports of German wine to China have also grown against the general downward trend in wine consumption. With 50,000 hectoliters in the past year, they reached a new record high. While China’s traditionally strong red wine consumption is declining, white wines—especially Riesling—are gaining popularity, particularly among young consumers. This trend is highly promising for the future of German wines in the Chinese market.

schiller-wine: Related Postings 
Announcement: Small Group (12 people) Wine Tours to Europe (Italy and Germany) this Year (2026) by ombiasy WineTours with Annette Schiller  
 
Overview: Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours led by Annette Schiller - Facebook Day-by-day Postings 

Summary of Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours, led by Annette Schiller: Wine, Food, History, Culture 

Summary: Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Summary: From Lyon to Paris - Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours (July 02 - 13, 2023)

Summary: Austria 2023 by ombiasy WineTours - 12 Days: May 28 - June 08, 2023 

Christian Schiller`s SCHILLER-WINE Blog on Corking Wines` Top 101 Wine Writers of 2020 List

The 2025 American Wine Society National Conference in Chantilly/ Virginia/ USA, with Annette and Christian Schiller: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

2022 Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Virginia, USA 

Massive Tasting of Bordeaux 1982 - the Vintage that made Robert Parker a Star, USA/ France

Kékfrankos - Blaufränkisch - Lemberger: A Grape’s Immigration Story From Central Europe To The US West Coast - Seminar at the 2023 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Louis/ Missouri/ USA led by Annette Schiller

The New German Wine Law of 2021 - Tasting at the German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter), presented by Annette Schiller

schiller-wine Blog of Christian Schiller Top Washington DC Alcohol Blog (December, 2024)

2024 Annual Meeting of the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, a 45 Years Old Wine Brotherhood in the Famous Wine Village Hochheim, Rheingau, Germany, with Annette Schiller, Founding Member, and Christian Schiller

Masterclass - The Wines of Germany: Presentation by Annette Schiller at the German Embassy in Washington DC/ Consular Conference March 2024 

Dinner at JAN in Munich, Germany, with Jan Hartwig, one of the ten German 3-star Michelin Chefs (September 2024) 


2025 Rieslingfeier Gala Dinner in New York City, Sky Loft, 32nd Floor of 50 Hudson Yard, with 15 #worldclass Winemakers from Germany + Austria and Estimated 300 Wines, many 20, 30, 40 Years old, many Larger Format and almost all Ultra-premium 

 

 

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