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“Adapt or perish” – the Winemaker’s Dilemma?
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No one can have missed that the buzzword in today’s wine industry is adaptation.
But that’s nothing new. Wine producers have always had to adapt to changing market conditions. Maybe just a bit more right now. They’re navigating declining wine consumption and erratic weather, complying with sustainability regulations, and producing affordable wines for cost-conscious customers, sometimes at price points so low they threaten profitability. And, of course, the wines must be made in a style that both importers and consumers are requesting.
Not least, producers must adjust to consumers’ changing tastes, especially relevant in these times of shrinking global wine consumption. But taste is hardly an exact science. It shifts with opinion polls. The trends we read about—predicted by some—can take years to materialise. Sometimes they never do. Sometimes they only reflect the preferences of a small group (such as wine writers) and would perhaps be better labelled as wishful thinking than actual trends.
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Calling all wine lovers:
Do you know someone who might be interested in a wine tour?
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A leading wine tour operator since more than 20 years.
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(If you have Swedish friends, please know that we have a separate,
more extensive travel program in Swedish: BKWine Vinresor.)
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I recall, some 20–25 years ago, when French and Italian winemakers realised that the New World was conquering the world and that consumers loved those wines. Already at that time, Old World producers spoke of adapting to changing tastes—primarily through softer tannins, as well as riper, rounder wines. At the time, people adored the fuller-bodied, high-alcohol wines (as they then were) from places like Australia and Argentina. Today, the tune is much the same, just in reverse. Consumers now seem to have grown a bit weaker, craving, as before, lower tannins but also lower alcohol, paler colours, and juicier fruit.
Alcohol levels, in particular, spark strong feelings these days. We see it during our many tastings and on our tours. People appreciate wines at 11, 12, or 12.5% ABV—and shun anything higher. At times, it seems the number on the label matters more than the taste of what’s actually in the glass. And that can feel a bit unfair—to both the wine and the winemaker—when a bottle is dismissed based on a number rather than flavour.
Regulations don’t pose much of a barrier. It is rare for appellations to require alcohol levels above 12–12.5%. Tuscany’s new Gran Selezione stands out with a minimum of 13%. However, you must also consider factors such as grape ripeness, phenolic maturity, and other variables. The winemaker is looking for balance, not necessarily low alcohol. And we consumers want ripe, flavourful fruit, not raw, green acidity from grapes harvested too early. Are we ready to sacrifice “delicious” on the altar of a flimsy ideal called “low alcohol”?
If you want to go even lower in alcohol, you can — at your own risk — opt for fully or partially de-alcoholised wines. The European Commission’s new proposed terminology for these “wines” is, predictably, “alcohol-free wine” for anything up to 0.5% ABV, and — more unexpectedly — “alcohol-light” for wines with over 0.5% alcohol and that are at least 30% below the minimum allowed alcohol level for that wine category. For example, a Vin de France, which is a wine with no geographical indication, typically requires a minimum alcohol content of 9%. If dealcoholised by 30%, the result clocks in just above 6% ABV. At Sweden’s Systembolaget, the monopoly stores (remember, we’re Swedish, so humour this reference), the cut-off for low-alcohol wines today is 5.5%, and such wines are labelled “lower alcohol”. A small, but significant distinction. The term alcohol-light feels far too frivolous for Systembolaget’s sensibilities.
Today’s consumers also want to ditch the oak, which goes hand in hand with a taste for lighter red wine styles. Producers are following suit, whether adapting to demand or simply shifting personal preference. Still, oak remains a deeply embedded part of the winemaking process and will not be disappearing anytime soon. What’s changing is the use of new oak.
Using new oak — that is, replacing barrels every year, fully or partially — is actually a fairly recent phenomenon. This trend gained momentum in Bordeaux in the 1980s and 1990s (as well as in Brunello, Barolo, Chianti, and beyond) and has since spread across the wine world. Before that, barrels were reused for decades (as some still do), and the oak influence was far more subtle. New oak adds aroma, effectively aromatising the wine. Oak is, in fact, virtually the only officially permitted direct flavouring agent in winemaking.
It is rare for regulations to require the use of oak at all. Take Pauillac, for instance — home to many of Bordeaux’s top wines, often made with generous amounts of new oak. The only requirement is that wines must be aged until at least June 1st of the year following harvest, but there is no rule specifying how or in what type of vessel.
The wine world is in constant flux. A slow flux. It never moves quickly. Which, all things considered, feels quite comforting — especially from the perspective of a summer hammock. Assuming, of course, the winemaker has time to relax there. If the weather gods permit it. And if the harvest does not start too early. And if…
A few words on the upcoming tours:
Burgundy and Rhone Valley wine tour
The Burgundy and Rhone Valley wine tour is fully booked this year. Why not come to Bordeaux instead?:
Exclusive Bordeaux Tour
We still have a few places available on our exceptional Bordeaux tour in October.
What would one have on a Bordeaux wine tour “bucket list”? To taste the five First Growths plus Pétrus and Le Pin? That is of course possible. We would suggest something different, more special.
One can always buy expensive wines. Anywhere. But one cannot meet the people. And see the places. Come into the private chateaux. That’s what we’re giving you on our Bordeaux tour. Great wines, of course, but also meeting some very special people that will tell you their stories, exploring some vineyards that are not on the front page of Wine Spectator or Decanter (and, by the way, is where everyone else goes also).
Together with this you will get some outstanding gastronomic meals, private meals with – perhaps… – some very special wines from the cellar, brought up just for you.
The “First Growth bucket list tour” that I alluded to is like going to Paris and only see Notre Dame, Tour d’Argent and the Eiffel Tower while missing out on the food market, the neighbourhood bistro with the very special wine list, the private art collections, a walk along the Seine, and, above all, missing out on the Paris (and Bordeaux) atmosphere.
So, if you are a curious person, who wants to discover more about wine than just choosing the most expensive wine on the list, then this tour is for you. As a bonus, you’ll get beautiful chateaux and top level French cuisine.
Only a few places left, so book now!
Summer in Winter Time
All three winter wine tours will be back in 2026. We don’t promise summer, sun, and beach in the middle of northern winter, but we can without hesitation promise summer, sun, wine and gastronomy (and a little beach if you want).
- Chile-Argentina, January 12-25, 2026
- South Africa, February 15-25, 2026
- New Zealand, March 10-25, 2026
Book now! Only a limited number of places left.
See how it’s been this year in these three tour Facebook groups:
- Chile and Argentinas wine tour on Facebook
- South Africa wine tour on Facebook
- New Zealand wine tour on Facebook
Click Join and then choose how many notifications you want – everything, the most important, nothing.
More info on our wine tours here. “World’s Top Wine Tours“. Tours with the people who know wine and who have an unrivalled experience of wine and tours.
Travel in wine regions with someone you trust.
Enjoy the Brief!
Britt & Per
Wine editors to the national encyclopaedia, Forbes.com contributors, award-winning wine book authors, wine tour advisors to the UN and national wine organisations, wine judges … and, above all, passionate wine travellers.
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Tell your friends about the Brief or send it to them.
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What’s on at BKWine Tours
BKWine is also one of the world’s leading wine tour operators. Here’s what we currently have on our scheduled wine tour program:
- Burgundy and the Rhone Valley, 17-25 September 2025
- Bordeaux, wine, gastronomy, chateaux, 28 September – 4 October 2025
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- Chile-Argentina, 12-25 January 2026
- South Africa, 15-25 February 2026
- New Zealand, 10-25 March 2026
We also make custom designed wine tours.
And we have an extensive travel program in Swedish: BKWine Vinresor.
We’re different than most other wine tour operators. We are people who know wine inside out, who travel constantly in wine regions, who write award winning books about wine. Who do this out of passion.
Our wine tours are different from others.
A typical year we organise more than 30 wine tours to destinations across the world. In Europe: France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and more. World-wide: South Africa, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand. Thanks to our Scandinavian background we have a separate offer for the Scandinavian market. These are sometimes offered in English and also available as custom made tours. For example, these destinations:
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Read our books
We have written eleven wine books. They have won awards from the Gourmand Awards, The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) and others.
Unfortunately, only one of them has been translated to English; the others are (so far) only available in Swedish. This is the one that is available in English:
Here’s the full list of our books:
- The Wonderful World of Wine
- Languedoc-Roussillon, the Wines of Southern France
- Champagne, the Wine and the Growers
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News from the World of Wine
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Short briefs on what’s been happening in the world of wine recently and other interesting things.
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Montpeyroux is recognised as a its own appellation in Languedoc
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 in the last 30 years, the designations have come in a steady stream. The latest in the line to be approved by INAO, the authority that approves and controls appellations, is Montpeyroux. Winemakers have been working for six years to get this approval.
Montpeyroux is located just west of Montpellier. It is a small district with an area of 595 hectares and an annual production of 4,400 hectolitres of wine. The soil is very rocky, which makes the wines suitable for ageing, according to the growers. Previously, Montpeyroux was a sub-district of the large Languedoc appellation, and the label said Languedoc-Montpeyroux. Now you can only say Montpeyroux, a recognition that may have more meaning for the growers themselves than for consumers. The rules are becoming somewhat stricter. The four main grapes are Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Carignan. There are already many famous wines in Montpeyroux, for example, the skilled Alain Chabanon at the estate of the same name and the colourful Sylvain Fadat at Domaine d’Aupilhac. Already in our first book about Languedoc (2007) we put forward Montpeyroux as a region to watch. Read more: www.inao.gouv.fr
Italy investing in Sweden: Swedes can now buy Italian wines online from Vino.com
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 online wine sales and is active in 13 European markets. And now they are investing in Sweden, where online sale of wine is permitted if the buyer is in the EU but outside of Sweden. Vino.com has recruited Sarah Djerf, who has extensive experience working with wine and communication, both in Sweden and Italy. Sarah believes that Vino.com can attract more Swedes to discover alternatives to Systembolaget, the monopoly store. “We make it easy, legal and enjoyable to open the door to new taste experiences,” she tells BKWine Magazine. Selected bottles from all over the world complement the large selection of Italian wines. The Swedish entrepreneur Anders Skeini who has previously founded the billion-dollar company Jacobi Carbons is chairman. He lives in Florence, where Vino.com is also headquartered. The company sells around three million bottles of wine annually and believes that Sweden could become an essential market for the company in the future. The Swedes are already very fond of Italian wines. Read more: www.vino.com
Fresh summer rosé from Coteaux du Vendômois and the trendy grape pineau d’aunis
The Loire Valley is all the rage. It’s probably not so much the Loire Valley that has changed as the fact that consumers have finally come to understand what the region has to offer. We usually drink white and red from here, but now we have tasted two rosé wines that are both delicious and a bit special. They are made from an unusual grape called pineau d’aunis. It is well-known for natural wine lovers; you can make juicy, light, and refreshing red wines from it. These two wines come from Coteaux du Vendômois, a small Loire appellation of 125 hectares located northeast of Tours and known for its pineau d’aunis. In total, there are only nine winegrowers in the appellation Coteaux du Vendômois, three of which are part of the cooperative. The producers often combine winegrowing with other agriculture, but that doesn’t diminish their commitment to the vines.
Domaine J Martellière, Cuvée Jasmine Gris 2024, Coteaux du Vendômois : This is a gris, a very pale style of rosé wine. The colour comes from the pressing of the grapes, and the juice has no further contact with the skins. Light and fresh, with a hint of white pepper in the taste. A pleasant wine to cool off with in the evening when the heat of the day has calmed down. 6 euros on site.
Cave du Vendômois Le Cocagne Gris 2024, Coteaux du Vendômois: This is also a gris but with a slightly darker colour. Some structure with a hint of spice and melon towards the end, very dry, crispy, and with a fresh finish. Excellent. 7 euros on site.
OIV, the United Nations of Wine, holds congress in Moldova
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 a bit of ceremonial flair—but above all, they took part in over 300 technical and scientific presentations. OIV acts as a kind of United Nations for wine-producing countries. The organization has 51 members and brings together experts and researchers, offering guidance and recommendations on viticulture, winemaking, and related topics. During the congress, the OIV adopts several resolutions. This year, more than 400 participants from 41 countries attended. Below are a few of the 14 resolutions adopted, illustrating the breadth of the OIV’s work. Efforts are being made to stop or reduce the spread of the flavescence dorée disease in vineyards. This disease poses a serious threat to wine production and the economy in many countries. A new scoring system is being proposed for international wine and spirits competitions. The goal is to make judging more consistent and clearer. Guidelines for education and communication are being suggested to help prevent alcohol misuse among adults.
During the congress, the OIV awarded its prestigious Merit Award to four distinguished individuals for their outstanding contributions to the organisation. One of them was Ann Mohlén Årling from Sweden, a legal expert from the Swedish Food Agency, who has shaped EU wine legislation and represented consumer interests in the OIV for over 20 years.
Read: Read more on the wines of Moldova on BKWine Magazine.
When is a grapevine truly old? “Old Vines” gets a definition
A grapevine can live for many years. In Barossa Valley, some vines are 250 years old—but that’s extremely rare. Occasionally, we see individual vines that are 100–120 years old in southern France and Spain. How long they live depends on factors such as climate, their health, and, importantly, whether the winegrower chooses to keep them despite a lower yield. Champagne, for example, has an average vine age of 34 years, which is considered high for the region, given the declining harvest volumes.
Sometimes producers label their bottles with terms such as vieilles vignes, old vines, alte reben, or viñas viejas as a marker of quality. Until now, each producer has decided for themselves what qualifies as “old.” However, the OIV (International Organisation of Vine and Wine) recently recommended that a vine should be considered old at the age of 35, and according to INAO, this recommendation will soon become law in France. To write “old vines” on the label, at least 85% of the vineyard’s vines must be 35 years or older—something I’d wager is already the case for most serious producers. After all, no self-respecting winemaker would call a vine old if it’s under 35. Whether or not old vines produce better wine, though—that’s another much more complicated story that is not as clear-cut as sometimes presented.
Consumers want wine with lower alcohol, but not all
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 IWSR on behalf of the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) across seven key markets. The survey shows that consumers are now actively seeking wines with an alcohol level no higher than 12.5%, and in some countries, even 11.5%. This applies to all wine colours, including red Bordeaux. People still want their familiar wines, just with lower alcohol. The analysis reveals that in France, Belgium, and China, this preference spans all age groups of wine drinkers. In contrast, in the USA, Germany, Japan, and the UK, low alcohol content is more important to younger consumers (18–34 years) than to older ones.
Producers often say that balance is the most important thing in wine. But perhaps even more important is being able to sell it. So now is the time for creativity and new ideas. Read more: vitisphere
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 recent years, especially in the major supermarket chains known as supermarchés, where most of the wine is sold. In 2024, these stores recorded a 2 million-bottle increase, bringing total prosecco sales to just over 21 million bottles. That puts it within striking distance of champagne, which sits at around 26 million bottles—though it’s facing a downward trend. Meanwhile, the most popular crémant is crémant d’alsace, with 17.9 million bottles sold.
What explains prosecco’s success in France? It could be its price, its youthful appearance, the fact that it is often used in the hugely popular Apérol Spritz, or maybe it is simply its abundance (They make 700 million bottles of it each year. More than double the volume of champagne.) Read more: rayon-boissons
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 gender is feminine, unlike the evil volcanoes which have a masculine gender.)The most recent eruption was a month or two ago, on June 2nd. It looked impressive but it does not seem to have affected the wine growing in any noticeable way. We checked with people on site and Benjamin Spencer from the Etna Wine School says that he was sitting and drinking wine with a colleague and watching the eruption. “Most of the ash went to the west where there are very few wineries, but the pistachio groves may have been dusted.” ,” he says. The eruption was also at a high altitude, at around 2,800 meters. The vineyards only extend up to 1,000 meters. But the fact is that some winemakers see the ash as something positive because it can add nutrients to the soil (although the question of soil nutrition and volcanic soil’s effect on wine is much more complicated than that and not so obvious).
Travel: BKWine organises bespoke wine tours to Sicily and Etna.
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Features of the Month
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Articles and features published on BKWine Magazine and on our wine travel blog and (occasionally) photography blog in the last month.
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The White Label and the Blue Collar
An essay on the charms and joys of working as a winery intern (“cellar rat”) during harvest time
Picture a huge steel French press, about seven feet long and three feet high, held sideways about six feet off the ground. It looks quite a bit like a small submarine. A sliding door on the side of the chamber is opened and positioned under a huge metal funnel. This is a winery press, and it falls to you and a forklift operator to load it for the third time today. You muscle your way up onto the press, grabbing the metal scaffolding to lift yourself to the funnel. Below your feet, the press looms. The machine contains a kevlar balloon which fills with air, forces liquid from the grapes, through steel grates, and into a catch tray below. The press chamber is held by a large cradle which, when powered, rotates the chamber under pressure to extract juice.
With this essay we introduce a new guest writer on BKWine Magazine, Cyril Burchenal.
Read more in Cyril Burchenal’s article on BKWine Magazine: The White Label and the Blue Collar.
It is time to rediscover Sherry, the unique Spanish wine | Britt on Forbes
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 pass by. What are you drinking? Maybe a sherry, a crisp dry fino. Many have forgotten about sherry, but we and many with us think it is time to rediscover this unique wine from southern Spain. And not just as an aperitif. In fact, a dry sherry goes perfectly with many types of food. Do not miss the great sherry renaissance.
Read more in Britt’s article on BKWine Magazine, originally published on Forbes: It is time to rediscover Sherry, the unique Spanish wine | Britt on Forbes.
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Wine Tours
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Details on our current and future wine tours. Book a wine tour with the “World’s Top Wine Tour Operator” today (or when you feel like travelling to wine country).
Treat yourself to an unforgettable experience in the beautiful wine-lands together with some of the most knowledgeable wine people around. Book now!
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From Burgundy to the Rhone Valley: the French wine tour | wine tour
Wine tours are a lot about the experience. You will may the wines you taste, or at least some of them. But you will most remember the people you meet. Our Burgundy and Rhône Valley tour is our longest European wine tour. It means you will have a lot of experiences and meet many interesting people. You will, for instance, meet Christine, who will serve us a very typical home-made Burgundian lunch at her winery in the famous village of Gevrey-Chambertin, together with some exceptional premier cru and grand cru wines. In Châteauneuf-du-Pape, we have lunch at one of the few real chateaux in the region, Château Maucoil. Bernard Duseigneur bought this then neglected property a few years ago and it bringing it up to top level. He is a skilled winemaker with vineyards on both sides of the Rhône River. Bernard, that we know since many years, has asked a friend of his, a star-chef, to come and prepare a meal just for us in one of the château’s private salons (yet to be fully renovated…). Our visits with Christine and Bernard — and many others — are guaranteed to be something you will remember from these two regions, well known for their memorable and magnificent wines, food, and scenery.
This tour is currently fully booked. Why not join us on our new five-day Bordeaux tour that we have just added due to the high demand?
Come and discover French wine and food in Burgundy and the Rhone Valley on this luxurious wine tour with BKWine, one of the world’s leading wine tour operators (*).
- The Grand French Wine tour to Burgundy and the Rhône Valley, 17-25 September, 2025
(*) And the only one who has authored 13 award-winning wine books.
Bordeaux, a blend of history, culture, and exceptional wines| wine tour
Come with us on an unforgettable wine tour through the legendary Bordeaux region. Bordeaux is home to some 5,000 châteaux and some of the world’s most acclaimed wines. Our program includes Médoc, Pessac-Léognan, Saint-Emilion, and Entre-deux-Mers. This tour offers tastings of both Left and Right Bank wines, and we discuss the differences in grape varieties and soil. We will visit some of the most famous chateaux and their impressive state-of-the-art cellars, and also have magnificent private lunches in some of them. However, we will also see some of the smaller chateaux, explore the vineyards, discuss viticulture, and learn the secrets behind Bordeaux’s terroir and classification systems. Bordeaux is not only glitter and glory; it is also rural French agriculture. We stay in the city of Bordeaux throughout the tour. Bordeaux is one of France’s most beautiful cities. We will also have time for a walk in Saint-Emilion, a charming medieval village. Join us on this exceptional tour and learn all you ever wanted to know about Bordeaux.
Come and discover French wine and food in Bordeaux on this luxurious wine tour with BKWine, one of the world’s leading wine tour operators (*).
Book now!
- Bordeaux wine tour, 28 September – 4 October
(*) And the only one who has authored 13 award-winning wine books.
Chile and Argentina, tango, the summits of the Andes, Valparaiso, asado exuberance and plenty of world-class wines | wine tour
Our South American tour takes you to Buenos Aires, with a fascinating historic tango show, then to Mendoza, Argentina’s largest wine region, across the border to Chile’s wine regions, and ends in Chile’s capital, Santiago. We travel by bus over the Andes, a spectacularly beautiful journey over the world’s longest mountain range, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Chile and Argentina have undergone significant development as wine-producing countries since they captured the export market in the 1990s. The ambition has increased significantly. Today, both countries produce outstanding wines, which we will explore in depth during all our vineyard visits. We meet talented winegrowers, enjoy the delicious grilled meat (South American asado) and, not least, freshly made empanadas. Mendoza is a dry region with almost a desert-like character. On the Chilean side, it is greener and more lush. Both countries are seeking cooler climates for their new vineyards. In Mendoza, they grow at increasingly higher altitudes. In Chile, we will visit the cool Pacific coast and the two main wine regions there, Casablanca and San Antonio. And also the mythical port city of Valparaiso, and much more. We stay in charming Santa Cruz and Viña del Mar.
Come on this exciting wine tour to Argentina and Chile with Britt and Per of BKWine, one of the world’s leading wine tour operators (*).
- Chile-Argentina, 12-25 January 2026
Book now!
(*) And the only one who has authored 13 award-winning wine books.
More inspiration: You can get an even better feeling for what you will experience on this tour if you visit the latest tour’s own Facebook group. Lots of pictures and videos from the tour (join the group and you’ll get an update when we post new contents): The wine tour to Chile and Argentina 2025.
Stellenbosch with modern world-class wines and much more on our South Africa wine tour
There are many villages and towns in South Africa’s wine regions, and we will visit several of them on our wine tour. However, Stellenbosch holds a very special position, which is why we spend a little longer here. Together with Constantia, it is South Africa’s oldest wine district. It was Simon van der Stel who placed the Cape on the wine map. He owned vineyards back home in the Netherlands and was knowledgeable about wine. (One of his successors was actually a Swedish adventurer.) He gave his name to Stellenbosch, which he founded in 1680. Today, Stellenbosch is one of the largest wine regions, and there are plenty of famous names here. The town of Stellenbosch boasts a big university, offering a lively student life that is complemented by a quiet village feel. Tourist shops, art galleries, restaurants and cafes crowd along the narrow streets.
Strolling around Stellenbosch is a true joy. Here are fine examples of the striking Cape Dutch architecture, characterised by whitewashed houses with thatched roofs and ornate gables that evoke the style of Amsterdam. There are also beautiful colonial buildings in Victorian style. Other towns we enjoy on the trip are Franschhoek, Hermanus in Walker Bay, Riebeek Kasteel in Swartland, and, of course, Cape Town, with its magnificent location on the Atlantic coast and its backdrop of Table Mountain.
Come on this fabulous wine tour to South Africa with Britt and Per of BKWine, one of the world’s leading wine tour operators (*).
Book now!
(*) And the only one who has authored 13 award-winning wine books.
More inspiration: You can get an even better feeling for what you will experience on this tour if you visit the latest tour’s own Facebook group. Lots of pictures and videos from the tour (join the group and you’ll get an update when we post new contents): The wine tour to South Africa 2024.
New Zealand, you are always close to the sea, but also a wine region | wine tour
New Zealand is a special country in many ways. You are close to the sea almost everywhere, and this proximity influences most of the country’s wine regions. We begin our tour in Auckland, the country’s largest city, although it is not the capital. Auckland is beautifully located by the sea on the North Island, and we take the opportunity to take a ferry out to Waiheke Island, known for its beauty and its top-quality vineyards. You will also experience the sea up close when we take the ferry between the North Island and the South Island. It is a beautiful 3-hour trip from Wellington, the capital, across Cook’s Strait and through the exceptional Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton, which is half an hour from the country’s most famous wine region, Marlborough. If lucky (and equipped with good binoculars) one can see albatrosses and even dolphins. But we will also experience the country’s highest mountain, Mount Cook (12,217 ft). And glacial lakes, geysers, Maori culture, seafood, delicious lamb dishes, and we will taste many, many wines from some of New Zealand’s top producers.
Come on this stunning wine tour to New Zealand with Britt and Per of BKWine, one of the world’s leading wine tour operators (*).
Book now!
(*) And the only one who has authored 13 award-winning wine books.
More inspiration: You can get an even better feeling for what you will experience on this tour if you visit the latest tour’s own Facebook group. Lots of pictures and videos from the tour (join the group and you’ll get an update when we post new contents): The wine tour to New Zealand 2024.
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Bespoke Tours
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(examples – we do others too)
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Forget the myths, learn the truth and reality of Champagne | wine tour *
There are many myths and misconceptions about champagne. Let’s look at some? “Small, fine bubbles are a sign of quality.” Wrong. It could be a sign of a specially prepared (etched) or towel-dried glass (or some other effects) but it doesn’t tell you anything about the taste. “There are 49 million bubbles in a bottle.” No, it depends on many different factors, such as bubble formation points (nucleation sites) in the glass. And one of the big ones: “Grand cru is a sure sign of quality in champagne.” No, grand cru is an obsolete designation in a now abolished price control system. The quality depends primarily on the person who makes the wine. “There are seven, no, now with voltis, eight permitted grapes.” No, it’s actually nine. “The grape variety is no longer called pinot meunier but just meunier and it’s not a pinot at all.” Wrong. The grape variety is still called pinot meunier (sometimes meunier for short) and is actually technically (genetically) the same as pinot noir. You can dive into all this when you come to Champagne.
But the most important thing about champagne is that it is an outstanding wine. It is a fantastic wine in itself but also something that goes perfectly with food, as you will discover at our delicious gastronomic lunches. A champagne tour like no other with the people who wrote one of the most comprehensive book on champagne ever.
Come on this luxurious wine tour to Champagne with BKWine, one of the world’s leading wine tour operators (*).
- This tour is currently available as a bespoke tour for small groups.
(*) And the only one who has authored 13 award-winning wine books.
Tuscany, gentle hills with beautiful vineyards and olive trees | wine tour *
Vineyards are part of the Tuscan landscape. Grapevines thrive on the hills where the soil is poor but the sun exposure is excellent. The landscape is quite mountainous in places. The vines are grown between 200 and 600 meters above sea level. How the wine tastes depends on many factors: the grapes, the altitude, the soil and not least the philosophy of the wine producer. There are great variations in Tuscany and the producers like to emphasise these differences that the various districts within Tuscany have. Everyone is proud of their special part of Tuscany. Chianti conquered the world in the 70s with its straw-covered bottle. At that time it was known as an easy-drinking and unpretentious wine. Today we get Chianti in all versions, from top quality prestige wine to uncomplicated fruity lunch wines. The occasion will decide. We will of course visit both Chianti and Chianti Classico (two different geographical areas) and also Montalcino a little further south, known for its fantastic Brunello di Montalcino. Discover the enchanting Tuscany with us; not only the wines but also the landscape, the people and the gastronomy.
Come on this wonderful wine tour to Tuscany with BKWine, one of the world’s leading wine tour operators (*).
- This tour is currently available as a bespoke tour for small groups.
(*) And the only one who has authored 13 award-winning wine books.
Piedmont, the land of truffles and fog; and Barolo, Barbaresco | wine tour *
It is a beautiful landscape that meets us in Piedmont. The region certainly merits its name, “at the foot of the mountain”; the Alps tower at the horizon. The signature grape Nebbiolo also has good reason for its name; it is often foggy (nebbia) in the mornings in the hills. The Alps to the north are not far away. Around us lie medieval villages such as Barolo, La Morra, Serralunga, Gavi with their impressive defensive castles, often real fortresses. The autumn landscape is magnificent. Nebbiolo and the other grapes often grow on slopes, sometimes really steep. We taste our way through many fantastic wines, Barolo, Barbaresco and other nebbiolos, as well as slightly lesser-known but equally outstanding wines with arneis, barbera, dolcetto, etc. We enjoy the local cuisine. We visit the truffle market in Alba with its overwhelming scent experience (can you over-dose in truffles?) and we eat a delicious closing lunch with the famous white truffle.
Come and discover all the good things that Piedmont has to offer on this wonderful wine tour with BKWine, one of the world’s leading wine tour operators (*).
- This tour is currently available as a bespoke tour for small groups.
(*) And the only one who has authored 13 award-winning wine books.
Douro Valley: The unique landscape that cannot be described but must be seen | wine tour *
The Douro Valley impresses like few other wine regions. There is probably no other wine region that has so many steep slopes in such a large area. The Douro Valley must be seen with your own eyes. No pictures can really do it justice. When it comes to the Douro Valley, the word unique can be used without hesitation. On these difficult-to-work slopes, port wine has been made for many centuries. The “regular” (not fortified) red and white wines, called simply “Douro wines”, have not been known for as long. This combination of Douro wines and port wines makes this tour particularly interesting. We taste all types of wines. The red and also the white Douro wines (non-fortified wines) are fantastic. For many, port wines are an exciting (re-)discovery. You don’t always realise that port wine comes in so many different types and, for instance, what the differences are between an old tawny and a vintage. Completely new dimensions open up. We stay two nights in Porto, an exciting city to explore. On the other side of the river lies Vila Nova de Gaia and this is where the big port wine houses age their wines. We stay two nights at the luxurious Vintage House in the valley, close to the vineyards.
Come and discover the spectacular landscapes and wines of the Douro on this wine tour with BKWine, one of the world’s leading wine tour operators (*).
- This tour is currently available as a bespoke tour for small groups.
(*) And the only one who has authored 13 award-winning wine books.
