The international trade in wine grew a lot in the first half of 2021, the latest numbers from the OIV reveal. This was expected, considering the difficulties of world trade in 2020. But even compared
One of the charms of exploring the world of wine is to discover new wines, wines that may surprise you. Or simply wines that you didn’t know existed, but that you put on your to-drink
This time of the year we usually get the first estimates of the current year’s wine production, 2021 is no different. It is the OIV that assembles the statistics of global wine production. This time
We have tasted a wide range of the top echelons of red Bordeaux from 2018, the latest vintage released from the big chateaux. 2018 is an acclaimed vintage, but challenging weather meant the producers had
The Bordeaux primeurs “circus” is famous. Hundreds of buyers and journalists gather in Bordeaux in April to taste the latest vintage. Almost two years before it will be released on the market. It is a
Savoie is better known for its cheeses than for its wines. Everyone knows the names of at least some of the cheeses: reblochon, beaufort, tomme de savoie, abondance… But does anybody know what grapes they
Sardinia has once again impressed us. This time we have tasted wines from carignano and bovale sardo. Behind these local Sardinian names are Spanish grape varieties. Carignano is a synonym for cariñena/mazuelo in Spain (carignan
Chassenay d’Arce is a small cooperative based in the heart of the Côte des Bar region. A group of growers founded it in 1956. We recently tasted their champagnes together with winemaker Brice Bécard and
Austria is not just white wines. Increasingly its red wines grab our attention. We have tasted wines from Neusiedlersee DAC in Burgenland in easternmost Austria. Lake Neusiedl has long been famous for its noble sweet
Predicting the future of organic wines may seem easy. The number of certified hectares is steadily increasing in Europe. Small wine growers convert, as well as famous Bordeaux chateaux. Consumers increasingly buy organic wines. Bulk
Col d’Orcia in Montalcino is one of our favourite producers to visit on our wine tours to Tuscany. Recently we tasted several of the estate’s Brunello di Montalcino wines together with the owner, count Francesco
We sometimes come across people from the Nordic countries who have changed careers and are now seen among the vineyards somewhere in Europe. Riku Väänänen left Finland around five years ago and now owns and
To blend a champagne to perfection demands a good nose and experience. When we drink the finished product, the bubbles play a significant part in the overall experience. They add freshness and a special sensation
In the small town of Canale in Piedmont, right in the town centre, you find the Enrico Serafino winery. It has a long history going back almost 150 years. But today, the business is very
Wine defects. No-one wants them. But what is it really? Numerous things can spoil a wine. No doubt many wines were spoilt back in the old days when wine producers had little knowledge of wine
Maybe you find it strange that I call Willi’s Wine Bar the first real wine bar in Paris. You could, of course, drop in at many Parisian bars and cafés before 1980 and have a
The Canary Islands have sun, beaches, volcanoes and tourists. But they also have wine. In fact, they have an important place in the history and evolution of world-wide wine growing. On the Canary Island they
I remember my first cabernet franc in France, many years ago. The restaurant served it freezing cold. It was customary at the time to keep the wines from Chinon and Bourgueil in the fridge with
Mazzei is one of Tuscany’s, Italy’s and maybe also the world’s oldest wine producer. The same family still owns it since 1435. It is impressive. We recently spoke with Giovanni Mazzei to hear more about
We often point out that it is easy to recognize an organic wine, at least in Europe. All you have to do is look for the green EU logo on the label. It is not
Mas Igneus in Priorat has long been a favourite of ours. In 2020 the estate changed owners and in 2019 a new winemaker had arrived at the estate, Daniel Cuesta. Changes are inevitable with new
The spotlight is on Etna at the moment. Making wine on an active volcano must be special and, at times, even adventurous. Lava came pouring out of Etna earlier this year. Donnafugata, a well-known Sicilian
Suddenly everyone is talking about wines from Sardinia, the beautiful Italian island in the middle of the Mediterranean. We have tasted wines from Tenute Ólbios, a family-owned winery on the northeastern part of the island.
Germany introduces a wine hierarchy based on geography Germany has introduced a new “classification” system for its wines, under the name Qualitätswein. It creates a hierarchy of wines – Area, Region, Village and Vineyard –
Making wine is pretty straightforward. Or rather, it was, once upon a time. Today it is more complicated. The fermentation, not least, requires the winegrowers to think carefully. They know that yeast turns the sugar
Sauvignon blanc is a popular grape. It has increased enormously in the last 20 years. A dozen countries have significant plantings, and another ten have a smaller, but growing, surface. Sauvignon blanc grows best in
Everyone knows Californian wines and probably also Washington and Oregon wines. But the fact is that most states in the United States, perhaps even all of them, make wine. One of the most important, after
Is VeriVin SWA001 the Holy Grail to fight wine fraud? Wine fraud can be of the spectacular kind of selling fake Romanée-Conti, or it can be of a more mundane type, selling bulk wine that
Timorasso is the name of a rare Piedmontese grape variety. It had almost disappeared; barely a hectare remained when a winemaker near the town of Tortona decided to save it. We should all be grateful
New rules promote organic vineyards and long ageing; Eva Plazas At Cava Vilarnau explains Winemaker Eva Plazas Torné has been working for the cava producer Caves Vilarnau since 1996. In other words, she has a
The international trade in wine grew a lot in the first half of 2021, the latest numbers from the OIV reveal. This was expected, considering
One of the charms of exploring the world of wine is to discover new wines, wines that may surprise you. Or simply wines that you
This time of the year we usually get the first estimates of the current year’s wine production, 2021 is no different. It is the OIV
We have tasted a wide range of the top echelons of red Bordeaux from 2018, the latest vintage released from the big chateaux. 2018 is
The Bordeaux primeurs “circus” is famous. Hundreds of buyers and journalists gather in Bordeaux in April to taste the latest vintage. Almost two years before
Savoie is better known for its cheeses than for its wines. Everyone knows the names of at least some of the cheeses: reblochon, beaufort, tomme
Sardinia has once again impressed us. This time we have tasted wines from carignano and bovale sardo. Behind these local Sardinian names are Spanish grape
Chassenay d’Arce is a small cooperative based in the heart of the Côte des Bar region. A group of growers founded it in 1956. We
Austria is not just white wines. Increasingly its red wines grab our attention. We have tasted wines from Neusiedlersee DAC in Burgenland in easternmost Austria.
Predicting the future of organic wines may seem easy. The number of certified hectares is steadily increasing in Europe. Small wine growers convert, as well
Col d’Orcia in Montalcino is one of our favourite producers to visit on our wine tours to Tuscany. Recently we tasted several of the estate’s
We sometimes come across people from the Nordic countries who have changed careers and are now seen among the vineyards somewhere in Europe. Riku Väänänen
To blend a champagne to perfection demands a good nose and experience. When we drink the finished product, the bubbles play a significant part in
In the small town of Canale in Piedmont, right in the town centre, you find the Enrico Serafino winery. It has a long history going
Wine defects. No-one wants them. But what is it really? Numerous things can spoil a wine. No doubt many wines were spoilt back in the
Maybe you find it strange that I call Willi’s Wine Bar the first real wine bar in Paris. You could, of course, drop in at
The Canary Islands have sun, beaches, volcanoes and tourists. But they also have wine. In fact, they have an important place in the history and
I remember my first cabernet franc in France, many years ago. The restaurant served it freezing cold. It was customary at the time to keep
Mazzei is one of Tuscany’s, Italy’s and maybe also the world’s oldest wine producer. The same family still owns it since 1435. It is impressive.
We often point out that it is easy to recognize an organic wine, at least in Europe. All you have to do is look for
Mas Igneus in Priorat has long been a favourite of ours. In 2020 the estate changed owners and in 2019 a new winemaker had arrived
The spotlight is on Etna at the moment. Making wine on an active volcano must be special and, at times, even adventurous. Lava came pouring
Suddenly everyone is talking about wines from Sardinia, the beautiful Italian island in the middle of the Mediterranean. We have tasted wines from Tenute Ólbios,
Germany introduces a wine hierarchy based on geography Germany has introduced a new “classification” system for its wines, under the name Qualitätswein. It creates a
Making wine is pretty straightforward. Or rather, it was, once upon a time. Today it is more complicated. The fermentation, not least, requires the winegrowers
Sauvignon blanc is a popular grape. It has increased enormously in the last 20 years. A dozen countries have significant plantings, and another ten have
Everyone knows Californian wines and probably also Washington and Oregon wines. But the fact is that most states in the United States, perhaps even all
Is VeriVin SWA001 the Holy Grail to fight wine fraud? Wine fraud can be of the spectacular kind of selling fake Romanée-Conti, or it can
Timorasso is the name of a rare Piedmontese grape variety. It had almost disappeared; barely a hectare remained when a winemaker near the town of
New rules promote organic vineyards and long ageing; Eva Plazas At Cava Vilarnau explains Winemaker Eva Plazas Torné has been working for the cava producer
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