South Africa made a brilliant vintage in 2025, as producers we met in February already suspected. The total volume is estimated to be 11.4% higher than in 2024. But 2024 was a tiny harvest, and
Just in time for the first summer month González Byass is launching a new Tio Pepe En Rama. The most famous of sherry houses, González Byass, introduced En Rama to the international market some 15
If you prefer looking for small growers when you buy champagne instead of the big houses, maybe it is time to do the same when you buy Cava, the Spanish sparkling. Cava from the big
The 1855 Bordeaux Classification turned 170 on April 18, 2025. Whatever you think of it, it is an essential component of French wine history. It may be worth considering how it came about. The classification
The severe drought in Catalonia over the last three years has considerably reduced the production and supply capacity of the D.O. Cava. Thankfully, the rain did come at last this winter, and hopefully, the producers
In France, wine producers can now plant three new white grape varieties that could be interesting from a sustainability perspective. The grapes are: mourvèdre blanc, mourvèdre gris and exelys. The first two are mutations of
Ipsos, an expert in market analysis, conducted a market survey in March in connection with the presentation of the new edition of the Michelin Guide. Ipsos asked the French people which French dishes they considered
This past spring, we have been to Champagne and Bordeaux, among other places. Wine regions that are undeniably masters of their respective wine styles. They have a lot in common, not just the fact that
— Blending – a scam or a noble art? — This past spring, we have been to Champagne and Bordeaux, among other places. Wine regions that are undeniably masters of their respective wine styles. They
Having an aperitif calms the soul before it is time to eat dinner. Maybe you drink it with others, mingling and chatting. Or you sit by yourself on an outdoor terrace and watch the people
Catalonia in northeastern Spain is known for Cava, the Torres Family, is beautiful beaches, magnificent monasteries, wine cathedrals… And, of course, Conca de Barberà with its delicious grape variety trepat. You may not have heard
The world’s wine consumers are demanding more white wines. Red wine sales are declining. But what if your vineyard is planted mainly with red grape varieties? Removing and replanting a vineyard is costly, and it
Global data on the wine sector in 2024 was released at OIV’s (International Organisation of Vine and Wine) press conference on April 15th. John Barker, the director general of OIV, admitted that there are challenges
The American Association of Wine Economists (AAWE) recently revealed the top 25 US wine suppliers/producers based on sales and market share in 2023. It confirms the dominance of the Gallo Winery – United States’ and
In February when we were on this year’s wine tour in South Africa, the harvest was in full swing. They were just over halfway through and everyone already agreed that 2025 would be a brilliant
The Médoc peninsula in Bordeaux is known for its many prestigious chateaux. And for its red wines. The eight Médoc appellations have always been red-only. (Small quantities of white has been made but had to
The Austrian winemakers have now taken stock of the 2024 vintage. Austrian Wine describes it as a “roller-coaster ride”. Frosts, hail storms and violent rain made the growing season challenging. The harvest volume was small
Think of wine from the USA, and your thoughts automatically go to the West Coast. However, the East Coast is starting to make its presence felt. We have tasted wines from Virginia, where good growing
When people talk about the wines of New Zealand, the 1980s is often mentioned as the starting point of the wine industry. However, the country has some famous pioneers who immigrated to New Zealand in
Our guide at Champagne Leclerc-Briant tells us with a certain pride in her voice that they have planted the grape voltis, Champagne’s eighth permitted (with restrictions) grape variety. This is proof that the house is
— In search of lost grapes — Our guide at Champagne Leclerc-Briant tells us with a certain pride in her voice that they have planted the grape voltis, Champagne’s eighth permitted (with restrictions) grape variety.
In Champagne, you often classify producers as either “houses”, or “independent growers”. The houses are big and often rather anonymous companies owning little or no vineyards, buying grapes from small growers. The “independent producers” are
There is no real answer to the eternal question “what is your favourite wine”; not for us and probably not for other wine enthusiasts. Much of the fun of wine is about discovery. Discovering new
— The impossible favourite wine, with or without tannins — There is no real answer to the eternal question “what is your favourite wine”; not for us and probably not for other wine enthusiasts. Much
Green harvest (or cluster thinning, crop thinning) is when the grower removes some grape bunches in the middle of summer, before they are ripe (sometimes later), to lessen the harvest volume. Some years ago, this
The fact that wine is a lot about chemistry has probably not escaped anyone. (After all, everything is chemistry.) However, you don’t need to know anything about chemistry to enjoy a wine. But sometimes you
Integrating algae into cooking is popular with some star chefs. Algae are nutritious, albeit with a slightly peculiar taste. They can be used for many things, which is good because there is a lot of
Does the state of the world discourage people from opening a bottle of champagne? That is what Maxime Toubart, one of the two presidents of the Comité Champagne, thinks when he comments on the decline
The South African wine industry fared well compared to many others in 2024. According to the trade association Wines of South Africa (WoSA), wine exports grew by 4.3% in value in 2024, reaching USD 562
The Prowein Business Report takes the pulse of the wine industry once a year. The new report states that the wine industry is at a crucial crossroads. That is pretty much what many others are
South Africa made a brilliant vintage in 2025, as producers we met in February already suspected. The total volume is estimated to be 11.4% higher
Just in time for the first summer month González Byass is launching a new Tio Pepe En Rama. The most famous of sherry houses, González
If you prefer looking for small growers when you buy champagne instead of the big houses, maybe it is time to do the same when
The 1855 Bordeaux Classification turned 170 on April 18, 2025. Whatever you think of it, it is an essential component of French wine history. It
The severe drought in Catalonia over the last three years has considerably reduced the production and supply capacity of the D.O. Cava. Thankfully, the rain
In France, wine producers can now plant three new white grape varieties that could be interesting from a sustainability perspective. The grapes are: mourvèdre blanc,
Ipsos, an expert in market analysis, conducted a market survey in March in connection with the presentation of the new edition of the Michelin Guide.
This past spring, we have been to Champagne and Bordeaux, among other places. Wine regions that are undeniably masters of their respective wine styles. They
— Blending – a scam or a noble art? — This past spring, we have been to Champagne and Bordeaux, among other places. Wine regions
Having an aperitif calms the soul before it is time to eat dinner. Maybe you drink it with others, mingling and chatting. Or you sit
Catalonia in northeastern Spain is known for Cava, the Torres Family, is beautiful beaches, magnificent monasteries, wine cathedrals… And, of course, Conca de Barberà with
The world’s wine consumers are demanding more white wines. Red wine sales are declining. But what if your vineyard is planted mainly with red grape
Global data on the wine sector in 2024 was released at OIV’s (International Organisation of Vine and Wine) press conference on April 15th. John Barker,
The American Association of Wine Economists (AAWE) recently revealed the top 25 US wine suppliers/producers based on sales and market share in 2023. It confirms
In February when we were on this year’s wine tour in South Africa, the harvest was in full swing. They were just over halfway through
The Médoc peninsula in Bordeaux is known for its many prestigious chateaux. And for its red wines. The eight Médoc appellations have always been red-only.
The Austrian winemakers have now taken stock of the 2024 vintage. Austrian Wine describes it as a “roller-coaster ride”. Frosts, hail storms and violent rain
Think of wine from the USA, and your thoughts automatically go to the West Coast. However, the East Coast is starting to make its presence
When people talk about the wines of New Zealand, the 1980s is often mentioned as the starting point of the wine industry. However, the country
Our guide at Champagne Leclerc-Briant tells us with a certain pride in her voice that they have planted the grape voltis, Champagne’s eighth permitted (with
— In search of lost grapes — Our guide at Champagne Leclerc-Briant tells us with a certain pride in her voice that they have planted
In Champagne, you often classify producers as either “houses”, or “independent growers”. The houses are big and often rather anonymous companies owning little or no
There is no real answer to the eternal question “what is your favourite wine”; not for us and probably not for other wine enthusiasts. Much
— The impossible favourite wine, with or without tannins — There is no real answer to the eternal question “what is your favourite wine”; not
Green harvest (or cluster thinning, crop thinning) is when the grower removes some grape bunches in the middle of summer, before they are ripe (sometimes
The fact that wine is a lot about chemistry has probably not escaped anyone. (After all, everything is chemistry.) However, you don’t need to know
Integrating algae into cooking is popular with some star chefs. Algae are nutritious, albeit with a slightly peculiar taste. They can be used for many
Does the state of the world discourage people from opening a bottle of champagne? That is what Maxime Toubart, one of the two presidents of
The South African wine industry fared well compared to many others in 2024. According to the trade association Wines of South Africa (WoSA), wine exports
The Prowein Business Report takes the pulse of the wine industry once a year. The new report states that the wine industry is at a
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