A press release published on May 8 (2026) from the Swedish Public Health Agency announces that “as of June 1 this year, the requirement to verbally inform about the harmful effects of alcohol at cellar
Like many others, Chianti DOCG winemakers have seen their sales decline in recent years. Therefore, the official approval of a new category, Chianti Rosé, will surely come as good news. Until now, Chianti has been
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
Before you dive into this month’s editorial, a quick call-to-action: vote today (March 31) in the Wine Travel Awards. See info just below the editorial. In the world of wine, as in real estate, the
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”…
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
Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, was shocked when he recently found ready-made spaghetti carbonara with the wrong ingredients in the shop at the European Parliament. Carbonara is made with four ingredients (plus spaghetti, of
France will in future have fewer copper products to choose from to protect its vines against the serious fungal disease mildiou. ANSES (Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail –
The French winemaker we had in front of us the other week on the Rhône wine tour looked a little stumped. He had just been asked a question that seemed to be quite straightforward: “Is
The foil on the neck of a champagne bottle no longer compulsory The Comité Champagne has just decided to make it optional for producers to have the familiar foil around the neck of the bottle.
Are the rules and regulations of the French appellations keeping pace with climate change? At least Château Lafleur doesn’t think so, as from this vintage, 2025, it will leave the Pomerol appellation and sell its
As in several other wine regions right now, it is whites and sparkling wines that are gaining ground in Languedoc-Roussillon. White wines increased by 5% in 2024, and sparkling wines from Limoux, especially Crémant de
The 2025 wine-growing season looks promising in Champagne. The vineyards are relatively homogeneous thanks to generally mild weather conditions that have limited fungal diseases. While the vineyards offer promising prospects, the global economy is still
A grapevine can live for many years. In Barossa Valley, some vines are 250 years old—but that’s extremely rare. (There are several claims around the world for “the world’s oldest vine”; Slovenia – 400 years!
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
As wine consumers and wine lovers we tend to focus on what good wine to drink next, read about exciting wine regions and talented producers. It is easy to forget that before the wine gets
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
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
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
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 international Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) is possibly the world’s most important wine organisation. But it is very little known to most wine consumer. It has multiple roles, promoting and enabling scientific and
New trends don’t appear just because the calendar says it’s a new year. But at the end of December, many people have a go at predicting everything new that will happen in the wine world.
The OIV (The International Organisation of Vine and Wine) was founded 100 years ago. Congratulations! OIV fulfils an essential function in the world of wine. The organisation currently has 50 countries as members, in other
The wine world is being flooded with labels. I recently read that Champagne Bollinger was awarded the label “Entreprise du Patrimoine vivant” (roughly “a company that keeps historical tradition alive”); I didn’t even know one
In Champagne, the permitted harvest for 2024 has now been determined. It is estimated that the harvest will begin around September 12. The determined harvest output has been set at 10,000 kilos per hectare (ca
Last month we wrote that in Finland, since June 5, it is legal to sell wine (and other alcohol drinks) below 8% alcohol in regular grocery stores. (Finland seems a bit more advanced and liberal-minded
A wine can be typical or not typical. Typical of what? It can be typical of a grape, a region, a vintage, or a producer. However, most people who taste wine know that it is
As of June 5, Finland, which has an alcohol state monopoly, allows the sale of wine up to 8% alcohol in grocery stores (previously 5.5% was the limit). A certain loosening up of the monopoly,
We can hardly believe it, but sales of alcoholic beverages directly from the producer are several steps closer to being a reality in Sweden. This country has a die-hard alcohol monopoly, so this is big
It should be pretty straightforward to check the alcohol level in your wine. You just look at the label. But it is not that simple. Maybe there is more than the label states. Or less.
A press release published on May 8 (2026) from the Swedish Public Health Agency announces that “as of June 1 this year, the requirement to
Like many others, Chianti DOCG winemakers have seen their sales decline in recent years. Therefore, the official approval of a new category, Chianti Rosé, will
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
Before you dive into this month’s editorial, a quick call-to-action: vote today (March 31) in the Wine Travel Awards. See info just below the editorial.
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
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
Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, was shocked when he recently found ready-made spaghetti carbonara with the wrong ingredients in the shop at the European
France will in future have fewer copper products to choose from to protect its vines against the serious fungal disease mildiou. ANSES (Agence nationale de
The French winemaker we had in front of us the other week on the Rhône wine tour looked a little stumped. He had just been
The foil on the neck of a champagne bottle no longer compulsory The Comité Champagne has just decided to make it optional for producers to
Are the rules and regulations of the French appellations keeping pace with climate change? At least Château Lafleur doesn’t think so, as from this vintage,
As in several other wine regions right now, it is whites and sparkling wines that are gaining ground in Languedoc-Roussillon. White wines increased by 5%
The 2025 wine-growing season looks promising in Champagne. The vineyards are relatively homogeneous thanks to generally mild weather conditions that have limited fungal diseases. While
A grapevine can live for many years. In Barossa Valley, some vines are 250 years old—but that’s extremely rare. (There are several claims around the
Moldova, which joined the organization only three years ago, hosted the OIV’s – the International Organisation of Vine and Wine – annual congress this April
As wine consumers and wine lovers we tend to focus on what good wine to drink next, read about exciting wine regions and talented producers.
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
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,
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
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 international Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) is possibly the world’s most important wine organisation. But it is very little known to most wine
New trends don’t appear just because the calendar says it’s a new year. But at the end of December, many people have a go at
The OIV (The International Organisation of Vine and Wine) was founded 100 years ago. Congratulations! OIV fulfils an essential function in the world of wine.
The wine world is being flooded with labels. I recently read that Champagne Bollinger was awarded the label “Entreprise du Patrimoine vivant” (roughly “a company
In Champagne, the permitted harvest for 2024 has now been determined. It is estimated that the harvest will begin around September 12. The determined harvest
Last month we wrote that in Finland, since June 5, it is legal to sell wine (and other alcohol drinks) below 8% alcohol in regular
A wine can be typical or not typical. Typical of what? It can be typical of a grape, a region, a vintage, or a producer.
As of June 5, Finland, which has an alcohol state monopoly, allows the sale of wine up to 8% alcohol in grocery stores (previously 5.5%
We can hardly believe it, but sales of alcoholic beverages directly from the producer are several steps closer to being a reality in Sweden. This
It should be pretty straightforward to check the alcohol level in your wine. You just look at the label. But it is not that simple.
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