It’s not too early to start thinking about Christmas presents! But for this one, it is very early, one year ahead. It is about our latest book that came out in 2023 and that will
In 2022, Voltis became the first fungus-resistant grape in France to be integrated (with restrictions) into the regulations for an appellation wine. The appellation was Champagne. Now, in 2025, three years later, the first real
White Burgundies are, more than other white wines, known for their long ageing potential. But with a changing climate and weather patterns, do these wines risk losing that trait? The BIVB, Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins
For an industry that celebrates tradition and old myths, the wine industry is surprisingly obsessed with news, from the Swedish wine monopoly’s new releases several times a month, manically followed by wine enthusiasts, to visitors’
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
Richard Smart passed away recently at the age of 80. He was from Australia and one of the world’s most famous viticulturists. He had consulting assignments all over the world and taught many wine growers
“Volcanic origin is not a marketing concept,” says Jean-Baptiste Deroche, referring to the fact that wines can now be certified “volcanic origin” by the Vinora association of which he is chairman. Perhaps not the origin
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
In the heart of Languedoc Roussillon, close to Béziers, Domaine la Colombette is mostly composed of new resistant types of grape. This large estate keeps its promise for true organic viticulture, without compromising its high
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!
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
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
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
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
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 resistant grape varieties are becoming more and more numerous in France. Or, at least, more and more varieties are being permitted. Recently, four new grapes have been given the green light: Whites kersus pinot
France will uproot almost 30,000 hectares of vineyards shortly. This was announced by FranceAgriMer, which is attached to the French Ministry of Agriculture. The growers who want to uproot vines have been able to apply
There is a lot of talk about fungus resistant grapes (sometimes called PIWI, from German pilzwiderstandsfähige). But the descriptor is maybe poorly chosen. The “fungus resistant” grapes used today are hybrids, in other words crosses
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 International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), a kind of UN for wine, held this year’s congress in Dijon in October. The OIV sets the technical and quality standards for most of the wine
Mealybugs are a feared enemy in the vineyards in California, Oregon, South Africa, and other places. These tiny bugs are dangerous because they spread the leaf roll virus (court noué in France) which causes the
There is something very special about hearing Romana Echensperger talk about wine. She is not only one of the few to hold the prestigious title of Master of Wine but also a master at captivating
More and more fungus-resistant hybrids are being allowed in France. Or perhaps a better wording: lesser prone to disease. Four new varieties, two whites and two reds, were recently introduced. These can be planted and
FranceAgriMer, under the French Ministry of Agriculture, publishes interesting figures on agriculture, including viticulture in France. Sometimes, they also publish figures for wine countries outside of France, such as how much of some wine countries’
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
In France, it has so far been forbidden for a wine region to plant a grape variety that is considered emblematic in another wine region. Regions such as Alsace, Savoie and the South West had
Observations made in the departments of Gard and Vaucluse in southern France show a high level of symptoms of downy mildew, a severe fungal disease, on several supposedly fungus-resistant grape varieties, sometimes called piwi grapes.
“What is your favourite wine (or favourite region)?” I get asked this a lot, and it is an impossible question to answer. The last time someone asked, I realised a little later that I could
No, it is not the title of a new thriller novel. “Good wine is made in the cellar, but exceptional wine is made in the vineyard,” Stellios Boutaris of Greece’s Kir-Yanni Estate told us back
In wine production, adapting to local conditions is paramount. Many wine producers adhere to the principle of never leaving the land bare, advocating minimal ploughing, and always preserving the weeds/cover crops in the vineyard. However,
It’s not too early to start thinking about Christmas presents! But for this one, it is very early, one year ahead. It is about our
In 2022, Voltis became the first fungus-resistant grape in France to be integrated (with restrictions) into the regulations for an appellation wine. The appellation was
White Burgundies are, more than other white wines, known for their long ageing potential. But with a changing climate and weather patterns, do these wines
For an industry that celebrates tradition and old myths, the wine industry is surprisingly obsessed with news, from the Swedish wine monopoly’s new releases several
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
Richard Smart passed away recently at the age of 80. He was from Australia and one of the world’s most famous viticulturists. He had consulting
“Volcanic origin is not a marketing concept,” says Jean-Baptiste Deroche, referring to the fact that wines can now be certified “volcanic origin” by the Vinora
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
In the heart of Languedoc Roussillon, close to Béziers, Domaine la Colombette is mostly composed of new resistant types of grape. This large estate keeps
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
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.
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,
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
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
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 resistant grape varieties are becoming more and more numerous in France. Or, at least, more and more varieties are being permitted. Recently, four new
France will uproot almost 30,000 hectares of vineyards shortly. This was announced by FranceAgriMer, which is attached to the French Ministry of Agriculture. The growers
There is a lot of talk about fungus resistant grapes (sometimes called PIWI, from German pilzwiderstandsfähige). But the descriptor is maybe poorly chosen. The “fungus
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 International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), a kind of UN for wine, held this year’s congress in Dijon in October. The OIV sets
Mealybugs are a feared enemy in the vineyards in California, Oregon, South Africa, and other places. These tiny bugs are dangerous because they spread the
There is something very special about hearing Romana Echensperger talk about wine. She is not only one of the few to hold the prestigious title
More and more fungus-resistant hybrids are being allowed in France. Or perhaps a better wording: lesser prone to disease. Four new varieties, two whites and
FranceAgriMer, under the French Ministry of Agriculture, publishes interesting figures on agriculture, including viticulture in France. Sometimes, they also publish figures for wine countries outside
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
In France, it has so far been forbidden for a wine region to plant a grape variety that is considered emblematic in another wine region.
Observations made in the departments of Gard and Vaucluse in southern France show a high level of symptoms of downy mildew, a severe fungal disease,
“What is your favourite wine (or favourite region)?” I get asked this a lot, and it is an impossible question to answer. The last time
No, it is not the title of a new thriller novel. “Good wine is made in the cellar, but exceptional wine is made in the
In wine production, adapting to local conditions is paramount. Many wine producers adhere to the principle of never leaving the land bare, advocating minimal ploughing,
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