A heat wave is scorching large parts of Europe as I write this, with temperatures touching 45 °C in parts of France. But while we humans are suffering, it is worth asking: what about the
We use artificial intelligence (AI) in our work. The use of AI is a hotly debated topic, especially in writing and journalism. Will AI destroy journalism? Is AI a useful tool? Is it perhaps even
The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) has announced a new strategic collaboration with the Italian marketing and event company firm 5 Hats and the young Swedish online wine platform, Free Grape Society. The partnership centres
Just in time for the summer of 2025, sales of wine at the winery became possible in Sweden, even though Sweden has a state monopoly on all sales of alcoholic beverages; cellar-door sales or in
In September 2025, the OIV (International Organisation of Vine and Wine) published a report on “new genomic techniques” (NGT) to improve and develop the planting material (vines) used in viticulture. This is an area of
Five new grape varieties are well on their way to being approved in Languedoc-Roussillon. They belong to a group of grapes called “bouquet” after the person who developed them, Alain Bouquet. The grapes are “hybrids”
As in France, where vineyard prices vary from under €10,000/ha to over €5 million, the range is enormous around the world. It is primarily the prestige of the name of the label that drives prices,
There is a lot of talk about a “crisis” in the wine industry today. If the market is working, it should lead to falling prices for vineyard land. We do not have any really up-to-date
There was a dramatic profit decline for Systembolaget in 2025. Operating profit for the full year was 30 million SEK, compared to 338 million SEK in 2024 (-91.1%), net profits 24 MSEK (92.7%). Sales, however,
Sometimes you wonder if wine media likes the “big brother society”. The trend towards sweeter “dry” wines is often and vehemently criticised. “Systembolaget shouldn’t sell so many sweet red wines” they say in Sweden. “Should”…
Harvest may seem important and in a way it is. But it is relatively simple: harvest ripe, healthy grapes. Pruning, which is done in winter, is far more complicated and requires both knowledge and skill.
Wise or not? The Bordeaux appellation Blaye AOC wants to change its name to Blavia. It does sound a bit strange, at least until you get used to it. It is, some say, the nuclear
Chile is dominated by large producers (more on that below), but it is with all the others that you can find special experiences. Here are some examples, inspired by our recently completed wine tour in
We are living tough and uncertain times. Traditional peace-keeping frameworks are put in danger by America. The USA is waging a destructive trade war against almost everyone, something that will make life more expensive for
— When wine is too cheap — What is the right price for a wine? It depends on the perspective from which you look at it. For the consumer, it is a price that makes
The first French appellation (appellation d’origine contrôlée, AOC) was created in 1936, so in 2026 it will celebrate its 90th anniversary. It is a rather surprising list of six appellations that were created first, on
There are far more exciting producers in Mendoza than you might think. Most export markets are dominated by the three-four giant producers (I’m sure you know the names). It is often difficult to find smaller,
In less than a week, the big wine fair Wine Paris / Vinexpo opens its doors. If you have not already planned a visit there, there is still time. It is a purely professional fair
At home, we like to drink vermouth when it is time for an aperitif. Although vermouth is essentially a fortified wine flavoured with herbs and spices, it can taste very different. A Martini Rosso or
Munskänkarna, a Swedish wine lovers’ association with almost 30,000 members, have just announced their choice as “Wine Region of the Year”. It is Bierzo. It is a way of highlighting a district that they think
Sometimes you find yourself in a city where you need to spend a few hours until leaving. You have a suitcase with you. But you really don’t want to lug your baggage around town while
Inspired by our wine tour to Tuscany at the beginning of the season, I have put together some tips for good wines from this beautiful wine region: Chianti Classico Nuovo, Fattoria Poggerino, 2022 A family-owned
On our New Zealand tour, from north to south, we see a lot of New Zealand’s landscape. Beautiful, sometimes spectacular. Perhaps the most extraordinary is Mount Cook Aoraki, New Zealand’s highest mountain and the pride
In June, we had a few wonderful days on the Portuguese Atlantic coast. But we weren’t there to swim and sunbathe, or even to taste wine. We were in Cascais because the Gourmand World Cookbook
Taking over at a historic wine estate from a legendary winemaker cannot be easy, and for the moment, father and son work together, Francesco Marone Cinzano and his son Santiago at Col d’Orcia in Brunello
Commandaria is a legendary wine. It has a longer history than most wines, if not all other wines. The name comes from the time of the crusaders and it was already then famous across the
Yes, cellar-door sales of wine, spirits and beer are still illegal but will become legal on June 1. But… In mid-April, the Riksdag voted yes to “farm sales”. This means that from June 1, it
Support for “farm sales” (cellar-door sales at wineries, currently forbidden), a current hot-potato issue in Sweden, has increased in Sweden, according to the recent “SOM survey” conducted at the University of Gothenburg. Despite the intensive
One of the advantages of having a monopoly (the only?) is that they publish some interesting statistics, e.g. sales statistics per price segment. On the Swedish monopoly Systembolaget’s website, you can see how much wine
A heat wave is scorching large parts of Europe as I write this, with temperatures touching 45 °C in parts of France. But while we
We use artificial intelligence (AI) in our work. The use of AI is a hotly debated topic, especially in writing and journalism. Will AI destroy
The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) has announced a new strategic collaboration with the Italian marketing and event company firm 5 Hats and the young
Just in time for the summer of 2025, sales of wine at the winery became possible in Sweden, even though Sweden has a state monopoly
In September 2025, the OIV (International Organisation of Vine and Wine) published a report on “new genomic techniques” (NGT) to improve and develop the planting
Five new grape varieties are well on their way to being approved in Languedoc-Roussillon. They belong to a group of grapes called “bouquet” after the
As in France, where vineyard prices vary from under €10,000/ha to over €5 million, the range is enormous around the world. It is primarily the
There is a lot of talk about a “crisis” in the wine industry today. If the market is working, it should lead to falling prices
There was a dramatic profit decline for Systembolaget in 2025. Operating profit for the full year was 30 million SEK, compared to 338 million SEK
Sometimes you wonder if wine media likes the “big brother society”. The trend towards sweeter “dry” wines is often and vehemently criticised. “Systembolaget shouldn’t sell
Harvest may seem important and in a way it is. But it is relatively simple: harvest ripe, healthy grapes. Pruning, which is done in winter,
Wise or not? The Bordeaux appellation Blaye AOC wants to change its name to Blavia. It does sound a bit strange, at least until you
Chile is dominated by large producers (more on that below), but it is with all the others that you can find special experiences. Here are
We are living tough and uncertain times. Traditional peace-keeping frameworks are put in danger by America. The USA is waging a destructive trade war against
— When wine is too cheap — What is the right price for a wine? It depends on the perspective from which you look at
The first French appellation (appellation d’origine contrôlée, AOC) was created in 1936, so in 2026 it will celebrate its 90th anniversary. It is a rather
There are far more exciting producers in Mendoza than you might think. Most export markets are dominated by the three-four giant producers (I’m sure you
In less than a week, the big wine fair Wine Paris / Vinexpo opens its doors. If you have not already planned a visit there,
At home, we like to drink vermouth when it is time for an aperitif. Although vermouth is essentially a fortified wine flavoured with herbs and
Munskänkarna, a Swedish wine lovers’ association with almost 30,000 members, have just announced their choice as “Wine Region of the Year”. It is Bierzo. It
Sometimes you find yourself in a city where you need to spend a few hours until leaving. You have a suitcase with you. But you
Inspired by our wine tour to Tuscany at the beginning of the season, I have put together some tips for good wines from this beautiful
On our New Zealand tour, from north to south, we see a lot of New Zealand’s landscape. Beautiful, sometimes spectacular. Perhaps the most extraordinary is
In June, we had a few wonderful days on the Portuguese Atlantic coast. But we weren’t there to swim and sunbathe, or even to taste
Taking over at a historic wine estate from a legendary winemaker cannot be easy, and for the moment, father and son work together, Francesco Marone
Commandaria is a legendary wine. It has a longer history than most wines, if not all other wines. The name comes from the time of
Yes, cellar-door sales of wine, spirits and beer are still illegal but will become legal on June 1. But… In mid-April, the Riksdag voted yes
Support for “farm sales” (cellar-door sales at wineries, currently forbidden), a current hot-potato issue in Sweden, has increased in Sweden, according to the recent “SOM
One of the advantages of having a monopoly (the only?) is that they publish some interesting statistics, e.g. sales statistics per price segment. On the
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