Author: Britt Karlsson

Maker of World’s Top Wine Tours. On WBI’s Power List of wine journalists. Wine Profile of the Year 2011. We’ve been named World’s Top Wine Tours by Travel + Leisure Magazine. We’ve written a wine book that won the award World’s Best Wine Book for Professionals and another that’s been awarded Best Wine Book in Sweden for Professionals. We had (probably) the first web site on wine in Scandinavia in 1996. We publish one of the most read independent wine newsletters on wine. And lots of other things we’re proud of too.
A castle and vineyards in Styria (Steiermark) in Austria

Austria continues to lead in organic viticulture

Exactly a quarter (25.0%) of the vineyard area in Austria is certified organic, according to the latest figures from the country’s Ministry of Agriculture. This is a new record for Austria, which means that the

In the cellar of Champagne Pommery, bottles in pupitres

Vranken-Pommery sells Heidsieck & Co

Champagne group Vranken Pommery Monopole, the second largest champagne conglomerate, has recently announced that it will sell one of its champagne houses – Heidsieck & Co – to rival group Lanson-BCC, fourth in the list

Hanna Schaps, winemaker at Maison Schaps in Côte de Beaune and Per Karlsson, BKWine

Heatwave brings early harvest in France

The heatwave in France at the beginning of August was a bit of a problem for winegrowers. But the producers we have met so far this autumn (late September) have been satisfied with the quality

Britt Karlsson and Per Karlsson, BKWine

BKWine Brief nr 265, September 2025

— 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

Sauvignon blanc landscape in Marlborough, New Zealand

New Zealand makes the Chinese drink white wine

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

Landscape with vineyards on Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy

Volcanic wines, myth or truth? | New Brief #264

“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

Britt Karlsson and Per Karlsson, BKWine

BKWine Brief nr 264, August 2025

— 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

Landscape with vineyards on Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy

Characterful wines from the Etna volcano in Sicily

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

Harvesting chardonnay grapes in a vineyard in Champagne, Cote des Bar

A low harvest yield 2025 for a pessimistic Champagne

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

Chenin blanc vines in a vineyard

Chenin blanc is getting drier and more bubbly

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),

A glass of prosecco, sparkling wine from Veneto, Italy

Why do the French drink so much prosecco?

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

Landscape with vineyards on Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy

A small eruption from Etna but the vines stand firm

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

In the cellar of Champagne Pommery, bottles in pupitres

Vranken-Pommery sells Heidsieck & Co

Champagne group Vranken Pommery Monopole, the second largest champagne conglomerate, has recently announced that it will sell one of its champagne houses – Heidsieck &

Britt Karlsson and Per Karlsson, BKWine

BKWine Brief nr 264, August 2025

— Volcanic wines, myth or truth? — “Volcanic origin is not a marketing concept,” says Jean-Baptiste Deroche, referring to the fact that wines can now

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