Tag: regulations

Beaujolais nouveau 2023 from Jean Foillard with 11.6% alcohol

Can a de-alcoholised wine equal the original?

The EU now allows de-alcoholised wines to use geographical designations of origin (IGP, AOP, etc.). But it is up to each country’s appellations to decide whether to allow it in their local rules. It is

A drip irrigation pipe with a drop of water

Easier to irrigate in France

Irrigation has always been strictly regulated in the European vineyards. But drought affects more and more wine vineyards, and the rules are loosened. It has been generally allowed in France for several years to irrigate

The Economist Style Guide, a book with writing and style rules

Rules, rules, rules… | New Brief #241

Rules are helpful, but some of them are unnecessary. – Sometimes, we are asked if there is a lot of cheating among winegrowers. Our answer is no. Besides the fact that most of them are

Empty wine glasses in a row

Are we drinking too little wine? | New Brief #239

History always repeats itself. Now it is time for crisis distillation again in Europe. It has been a while since the last time. We remember Languedoc’s overproduction during large parts of the 20th century with

Road-sign to Gigondas

Gigondas, soon also in white

Some appellations only come in one colour, like Gigondas in the southern Rhône valley, which is always red (or rosé, but these are rarely seen). From 2023 however, Gigondas will also be able to be

Kirchberg de Barr Grand Cru, Alsace, Gewurztraminer, Domaine Hering

Pinot noir in Alsace upgraded to grand cru

Alsace now has its first grand cru wines made with pinot noir. Until now, the Alsatian red grape has been banned from grand cru wines. But not anymore. At least not from two of them.

Chateau Palmer, Margaux, Bordeaux

White AOP Médoc soon to be (maybe)

Once upon a time, quite a lot of white wine was made in Médoc. Then it was banned. Or, to be more precise, the eight appellations of the Médoc Peninsula can only be used for

A bunch of chenin blanc grapes in Anjou, Loire Valley

8 new grape varieties approved in France

New grape varieties are regularly approved in France. First, they are preliminarily approved for a few years and then they are entered in the official French grape vine catalogue. Recently, these 8 grapes were enrolled,

The landscape along the coast of Bolgheri in Tuscany

Super Tuscans began as a protest against white grapes

Super-Tuscan is still a much-used denomination. The first producers of these rebel wines have recently founded an association, the Comitato Historical Super Tuscans. The members are 16 in total. They have all produced a famous

Cava Vilarnau Brut Nature Reserva 2018, organic sparkling wine from Penedes, Catalonia, Spain

All Cava Superior will be organic by 2025

The DO Cava appellation in Spain has decided that from 2025, organic certification will be mandatory for cavas de guarda superior, the higher quality of cava. This category includes cavas reserva (with at least 18

A drip irrigation pipe with a drop of water

Easier to irrigate in France

Irrigation has always been strictly regulated in the European vineyards. But drought affects more and more wine vineyards, and the rules are loosened. It has

Road-sign to Gigondas

Gigondas, soon also in white

Some appellations only come in one colour, like Gigondas in the southern Rhône valley, which is always red (or rosé, but these are rarely seen).

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