BKWine Brief nr 265, September 2025
2025-09-28
— When ideals meet reality — water becomes wine? — The French winemaker we had in front of us the other week on the Rhône wine tour looked a little stumped. He had just been
— When ideals meet reality — water becomes wine? — The French winemaker we had in front of us the other week on the Rhône wine tour looked a little stumped. He had just been
The foil on the neck of a champagne bottle no longer compulsory The Comité Champagne has just decided to make it optional for producers to have the familiar foil around the neck of the bottle.
Are the rules and regulations of the French appellations keeping pace with climate change? At least Château Lafleur doesn’t think so, as from this vintage, 2025, it will leave the Pomerol appellation and sell its
The Chinese have never been particularly fond of white wines. They mostly buy and drink red wine, not least because red is considered the lucky colour in China, but also because red wines have been
Richard Smart passed away recently at the age of 80. He was from Australia and one of the world’s most famous viticulturists. He had consulting assignments all over the world and taught many wine growers
Europe has been hit by an unusually high number of forest fires this summer. So far this year, there have been twice as many compared to the same time in 2024. In early August, violent
There are a few wine regions around the world that have not been affected by phylloxera, the dreaded vine louse. This depends on various factors, such as the soil composition (for example, a high sand
“Volcanic origin is not a marketing concept,” says Jean-Baptiste Deroche, referring to the fact that wines can now be certified “volcanic origin” by the Vinora association of which he is chairman. Perhaps not the origin
— Volcanic wines, myth or truth? — “Volcanic origin is not a marketing concept,” says Jean-Baptiste Deroche, referring to the fact that wines can now be certified “volcanic origin” by the Vinora association of which
As in several other wine regions right now, it is whites and sparkling wines that are gaining ground in Languedoc-Roussillon. White wines increased by 5% in 2024, and sparkling wines from Limoux, especially Crémant de
Etna in Sicily is Europe’s highest active volcano. And one of Europe’s most spectacular wine regions. Nerello mascalese is grown here, planted on the slopes of the volcano in the black lava soil. Andrea Franchetti
The 2025 wine-growing season looks promising in Champagne. The vineyards are relatively homogeneous thanks to generally mild weather conditions that have limited fungal diseases. While the vineyards offer promising prospects, the global economy is still
We started the story on Conca de Barberà in Catalonia, the historic Catalan wine region with its peculiar geography—a basin shielded by mountains, in the previous article. The history goes back to a medieval revival
During my visit to Conca de Barberà in Spanish Catalonia in April this year, I met some very enthusiastic and ambitious wine producers. They all want to emphasise their region’s grape varieties and style. They
Ardagh Glass Packaging-Europe (AGP-Europe) has recently launched a super-light 300-gram lightweight glass bottle. The idea behind this bottle is to combine a stylish design with high performance. It is crucial to change the minds of
Chenin blanc, one of the world’s top white wine varieties, is planted in 29 wine countries, but 98% of the area is in five countries: South Africa (16,200 ha), France (10,700 ha), USA (1,900 ha),
In 1955, Systembolaget, the Swedish alcohol monopoly stores, started selling Mateus Rosé. For 70 years, this legendary, unpretentious rosé wine has been on its shelves. In other words, drinking rosé wine is not a new
New Zealand’s wine history is short but intense. It was not until the 1980s that it became famous for its sauvignon blanc. Montana (now called Brancott Estate) planted its first vineyards in Marlborough in 1973.
Who would have thought the French drink so much prosecco? Or is the harsh truth that everyone drinks prosecco now? Either way, the Italian fizz has seen a remarkable rise on the French market in
How times have changed. In the past, higher alcohol content was a mark of quality—an indicator of ripe premium grapes. But it is time to rethink that, at least according to a survey conducted by
Swedes can now purchase Italian wines from Vino.com, an e-commerce company founded in 2014 by four Italian friends with a shared passion for wine and digital innovation. The company is today Italy’s largest player in
Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe and is located in an impressive landscape in eastern Sicily. It erupts regularly, often small, and rarely dangerous. Etna is considered a gentle volcano. (Therefore (?), Etna’s
A grapevine can live for many years. In Barossa Valley, some vines are 250 years old—but that’s extremely rare. (There are several claims around the world for “the world’s oldest vine”; Slovenia – 400 years!
“Choosing wine for a barbecue can be a challenge.” That’s what it said in a food magazine I read last week when we were in Sweden (in the middle of barbecue season, and indeed, we
— No, it is not difficult to choose a wine for the barbecue! — “Choosing wine for a barbecue can be a challenge.” That’s what it said in a food magazine I read last week
Moldova, which joined the organization only three years ago, hosted the OIV’s – the International Organisation of Vine and Wine – annual congress this April in its capital city, Chisinau. Over five days, participants enjoyed
In Languedoc, the number of appellations has increased over the years. There were only a few AOC districts before the 1980s. At that time, Languedoc was more renowned for its quantity than its quality. But
Wines from the Northern Rhône Valley are almost always produced in small quantities. The appellations here are among the smallest in France. There is no doubt however that syrah is particularly expressive here. Not surprisingly,
One way to reduce spraying against fungal diseases in the vineyard is to plant fungal-resistant grape varieties. These grape varieties are so-called interspecific hybrids, i.e. crossings between Vitis vinifera and another Vitis species, often American,
The 2024 vintage in Bordeaux, presented to buyers and journalists in April, has already garnered significant attention. 2024 was a challenging year, marked by incredible amounts of rain, hot and humid weather, and severe outbreaks
— When ideals meet reality — water becomes wine? — The French winemaker we had in front of us the other week on the Rhône
The foil on the neck of a champagne bottle no longer compulsory The Comité Champagne has just decided to make it optional for producers to
Are the rules and regulations of the French appellations keeping pace with climate change? At least Château Lafleur doesn’t think so, as from this vintage,
The Chinese have never been particularly fond of white wines. They mostly buy and drink red wine, not least because red is considered the lucky
Richard Smart passed away recently at the age of 80. He was from Australia and one of the world’s most famous viticulturists. He had consulting
Europe has been hit by an unusually high number of forest fires this summer. So far this year, there have been twice as many compared
There are a few wine regions around the world that have not been affected by phylloxera, the dreaded vine louse. This depends on various factors,
“Volcanic origin is not a marketing concept,” says Jean-Baptiste Deroche, referring to the fact that wines can now be certified “volcanic origin” by the Vinora
— Volcanic wines, myth or truth? — “Volcanic origin is not a marketing concept,” says Jean-Baptiste Deroche, referring to the fact that wines can now
As in several other wine regions right now, it is whites and sparkling wines that are gaining ground in Languedoc-Roussillon. White wines increased by 5%
Etna in Sicily is Europe’s highest active volcano. And one of Europe’s most spectacular wine regions. Nerello mascalese is grown here, planted on the slopes
The 2025 wine-growing season looks promising in Champagne. The vineyards are relatively homogeneous thanks to generally mild weather conditions that have limited fungal diseases. While
We started the story on Conca de Barberà in Catalonia, the historic Catalan wine region with its peculiar geography—a basin shielded by mountains, in the
During my visit to Conca de Barberà in Spanish Catalonia in April this year, I met some very enthusiastic and ambitious wine producers. They all
Ardagh Glass Packaging-Europe (AGP-Europe) has recently launched a super-light 300-gram lightweight glass bottle. The idea behind this bottle is to combine a stylish design with
Chenin blanc, one of the world’s top white wine varieties, is planted in 29 wine countries, but 98% of the area is in five countries:
In 1955, Systembolaget, the Swedish alcohol monopoly stores, started selling Mateus Rosé. For 70 years, this legendary, unpretentious rosé wine has been on its shelves.
New Zealand’s wine history is short but intense. It was not until the 1980s that it became famous for its sauvignon blanc. Montana (now called
Who would have thought the French drink so much prosecco? Or is the harsh truth that everyone drinks prosecco now? Either way, the Italian fizz
How times have changed. In the past, higher alcohol content was a mark of quality—an indicator of ripe premium grapes. But it is time to
Swedes can now purchase Italian wines from Vino.com, an e-commerce company founded in 2014 by four Italian friends with a shared passion for wine and
Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe and is located in an impressive landscape in eastern Sicily. It erupts regularly, often small, and rarely
A grapevine can live for many years. In Barossa Valley, some vines are 250 years old—but that’s extremely rare. (There are several claims around the
“Choosing wine for a barbecue can be a challenge.” That’s what it said in a food magazine I read last week when we were in
— No, it is not difficult to choose a wine for the barbecue! — “Choosing wine for a barbecue can be a challenge.” That’s what
Moldova, which joined the organization only three years ago, hosted the OIV’s – the International Organisation of Vine and Wine – annual congress this April
In Languedoc, the number of appellations has increased over the years. There were only a few AOC districts before the 1980s. At that time, Languedoc
Wines from the Northern Rhône Valley are almost always produced in small quantities. The appellations here are among the smallest in France. There is no
One way to reduce spraying against fungal diseases in the vineyard is to plant fungal-resistant grape varieties. These grape varieties are so-called interspecific hybrids, i.e.
The 2024 vintage in Bordeaux, presented to buyers and journalists in April, has already garnered significant attention. 2024 was a challenging year, marked by incredible
25,000 subscribers get wine news every month. You too?
