In France, there are lots of small wine shops, but the majority of all wine is sold in supermarkets. This is especially true of Champagne as Christmas approaches. Which brands are the bestsellers? Here is
There are different ways to work sustainably and environmentally friendly. Some producers have noted consumers’ fear of pesticide residues in the wine. One path to take is then to work organically and thus completely exclude
Birds munching on ripe grapes can be a big problem in the vineyards. We have seen it in New Zealand and South Africa; it occurs in Australia and elsewhere around the world. However, from what
On October 27, OIV Secretary-General Pau Roca presented the first estimates of the world wine production in 2020. Volumes in the EU were lower than the average as several regions deliberately reduced their harvest despite
Wild yeast or cultivated yeast? That is the eternal question right now, or at least one can get that impression in certain discussions. It seems as if the wild yeast is gaining ground, but that
One of our very few autumn wine tours went to the Douro Valley in late October. All the winemakers we met agreed on one thing: the 2020 harvest was a challenge, and it was not
22 “climats”, a vineyard or a vineyard plot in Burgundian parlance, in Pouilly-Fuissé in southern Burgundy can from now on put “premier cru” on the label. It has taken ten years since the process started,
What do consumers want to know about the wine they are about to buy? Do they want a detailed table of contents? No, it doesn’t seem that way if one is to believe a survey
The California Wine Institute will support restaurants around Europe by highlighting Californian wine in November. At restaurants in eight different countries, wines from California will be combined with special menus. Many of the wines will
Many people have ageing-mania. The refreshing flavours of a young wine are undervalued. When we taste wine with travellers on our tours, this question always pops up: “How long can I age this wine?” Should
Perhaps this will be the first major wine fair post-Covid-19. If nothing unforeseen happens. Millésime Bio is scheduled to take place on January 25-27 in Montpellier in the south of France. It is a very
There is an interest today in many wine countries for old, forgotten, grape varieties. Since 1990, the Technical Institute of Agriculture in the region of Castilla y León in Spain (ITACYL) has been conducting research
Kullabergs Vingård (Winery) in the south of Sweden received a gold medal in AWC Vienna, a wine competition, with a wine called K 2018. The winery also had three silver medals for the wines Immelen
Patagonia’s glaciers are melting alarmingly fast. Viña San Pedro in Chile will soon launch a wine to support Glaciares Chilenos, a non-profit association that works to protect Patagonia’s glaciers. The wine is called South Cause
In some places, the harvest started earlier than ever this year. Overall, the quality of the grapes has been exceptional. In Champagne, they started picking already on August 17. The quality of the grapes was
Uncorked: Under this heading, we collect various wines that we have tasted, and liked, recently. It can be wines that we have had during dinner at home, at wine tastings, press lunches, visits to vineyards,
Pinot noir has a reputation for being a difficult grape, yet it is found in many places around the world. Maybe the grape isn’t so tricky after all if you free yourself from the idea
The National Wine Day is celebrated in Moldova the first week-end in October. This is an 18 years tradition. Wine lovers from all over the world can over two days taste wines from around 60
How could pinot grigio from Italy become such an export success? A grape that was barely even found in Italy 20 years ago. It appeared out of nowhere, was shipped across the Atlantic and became
Biological control (biocontrol), or sustainable plant protection, is used more and more in the wine industry. It is, of course, a consequence of the fact that organic and sustainable viticulture is becoming more common. Biocontrol
What is natural wine? Are there rules? Is it good or weird? The concept of natural wine has emerged in recent years. It has been covered in media and bated. Many people have never drunk
Demand for organic wine is increasing in France and also in Bordeaux. Wine merchants in Bordeaux have a hard time finding enough organic wine to meet demand. Bernard Farges, chairman of the Bordeaux producers’ organisation
We had a question from a reader a while ago: “I discovered pinotage many years ago in Cape Town. But unfortunately, the quality has varied a lot. Are there any pinotage wines that you can
Wild fires in California are now more or less recurring annually. This year they have started unusually early. The winemakers had just started harvesting their grapes. Are the grapes at risk of being damaged by
On October 21, 20 winegrowers from Alsace, Champagne and Burgundy will come to Copenhagen to present their wines to the Danish market. The winegrowers are small and independent and are looking for representation in Denmark
A reader of our Brief had seen an advertisement for a sparkling wine called Bubbly Rosé which was sealed with a regular crown cap (old fashioned beer bottle cap). She wanted to hear more about
Being biodynamic is not the same as being organic, even though they have many things in common. Only a tiny proportion of organic growers are also biodynamic. But their number is growing. If you want
We all have unnecessary things in the kitchen. The pasta machine that you used only once, a malfunctioning espresso machine. Maybe a sous vide machine that was thrilling for a couple of weeks. Many wine
Someone told me once that malbec is a friendly grape, easy to work with. Apparently, many Argentineans think so as it is by far the most planted grape in the country. It is best known
Merlot is something of a chameleon. All grapes are, of course, in one way or another. But sometimes it’s more noticeable, as with merlot. Château Petrus, 95% merlot, is Bordeaux’s most expensive wine. Petrus’ prices
In France, there are lots of small wine shops, but the majority of all wine is sold in supermarkets. This is especially true of Champagne
There are different ways to work sustainably and environmentally friendly. Some producers have noted consumers’ fear of pesticide residues in the wine. One path to
Birds munching on ripe grapes can be a big problem in the vineyards. We have seen it in New Zealand and South Africa; it occurs
On October 27, OIV Secretary-General Pau Roca presented the first estimates of the world wine production in 2020. Volumes in the EU were lower than
Wild yeast or cultivated yeast? That is the eternal question right now, or at least one can get that impression in certain discussions. It seems
One of our very few autumn wine tours went to the Douro Valley in late October. All the winemakers we met agreed on one thing:
22 “climats”, a vineyard or a vineyard plot in Burgundian parlance, in Pouilly-Fuissé in southern Burgundy can from now on put “premier cru” on the
What do consumers want to know about the wine they are about to buy? Do they want a detailed table of contents? No, it doesn’t
The California Wine Institute will support restaurants around Europe by highlighting Californian wine in November. At restaurants in eight different countries, wines from California will
Many people have ageing-mania. The refreshing flavours of a young wine are undervalued. When we taste wine with travellers on our tours, this question always
Perhaps this will be the first major wine fair post-Covid-19. If nothing unforeseen happens. Millésime Bio is scheduled to take place on January 25-27 in
There is an interest today in many wine countries for old, forgotten, grape varieties. Since 1990, the Technical Institute of Agriculture in the region of
Kullabergs Vingård (Winery) in the south of Sweden received a gold medal in AWC Vienna, a wine competition, with a wine called K 2018. The
Patagonia’s glaciers are melting alarmingly fast. Viña San Pedro in Chile will soon launch a wine to support Glaciares Chilenos, a non-profit association that works
In some places, the harvest started earlier than ever this year. Overall, the quality of the grapes has been exceptional. In Champagne, they started picking
Uncorked: Under this heading, we collect various wines that we have tasted, and liked, recently. It can be wines that we have had during dinner
Pinot noir has a reputation for being a difficult grape, yet it is found in many places around the world. Maybe the grape isn’t so
The National Wine Day is celebrated in Moldova the first week-end in October. This is an 18 years tradition. Wine lovers from all over the
How could pinot grigio from Italy become such an export success? A grape that was barely even found in Italy 20 years ago. It appeared
Biological control (biocontrol), or sustainable plant protection, is used more and more in the wine industry. It is, of course, a consequence of the fact
What is natural wine? Are there rules? Is it good or weird? The concept of natural wine has emerged in recent years. It has been
Demand for organic wine is increasing in France and also in Bordeaux. Wine merchants in Bordeaux have a hard time finding enough organic wine to
We had a question from a reader a while ago: “I discovered pinotage many years ago in Cape Town. But unfortunately, the quality has varied
Wild fires in California are now more or less recurring annually. This year they have started unusually early. The winemakers had just started harvesting their
On October 21, 20 winegrowers from Alsace, Champagne and Burgundy will come to Copenhagen to present their wines to the Danish market. The winegrowers are
A reader of our Brief had seen an advertisement for a sparkling wine called Bubbly Rosé which was sealed with a regular crown cap (old
Being biodynamic is not the same as being organic, even though they have many things in common. Only a tiny proportion of organic growers are
We all have unnecessary things in the kitchen. The pasta machine that you used only once, a malfunctioning espresso machine. Maybe a sous vide machine
Someone told me once that malbec is a friendly grape, easy to work with. Apparently, many Argentineans think so as it is by far the
Merlot is something of a chameleon. All grapes are, of course, in one way or another. But sometimes it’s more noticeable, as with merlot. Château
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