Can you know too much about something? Probably not — knowledge is almost always a positive thing. On the other hand, you must learn how to handle your knowledge, for example, by cultivating a flexible
Sometimes you get the feeling that wine enthusiasts are more focussed on competition and excelling than anything else. In Sweden, this year’s blind tasting championship has just taken place. Someone won. Someone became Sweden’s best
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
There is no real answer to the eternal question “what is your favourite wine”; not for us and probably not for other wine enthusiasts. Much of the fun of wine is about discovery. Discovering new
Some countries are primarily associated with one grape variety, such as malbec in Argentina and sauvignon blanc in New Zealand. However, this latter country makes wine from a variety of other grapes (and so does
Everyone who reads the Brief is probably more or less a wine enthusiast. We are, of course. We have been called geeks and it has probably happened to one or two of our readers as
Everyone who reads the Brief is probably more or less a wine enthusiast. We are, of course. We have been called geeks and it has probably happened to one or two of our readers as
Many countries like to put food on the outdoor grill. The South Americans have their asado and in South Africa they have braai. People love their braai in South Africa. The food is important, of
“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
Describing wine is, at the same time, very personal and very scientific. What you perceive when you sniff or taste a wine depends on your own previous experiences (and imagination) and how your brain makes
It is quite difficult to describe flavours so that others can understand. Flavours, especially when it comes to wine, are mostly described with similes. The wine smells of strawberries or tastes of black currants. Of
Has the summer so far been too much rosé and aromatic white? Maybe it is time to look for white wines with “structure”. But what is “structure”? Well, these are wines that do not live
The Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards is one of the big wine competitions in South Africa with a few thousand entries. I was part of the jury, the people tasting and judging the wines,
On a recent wine tour, one of the travellers told me that she has difficulty finding good organic wines. I was a bit surprised. There are so many organic wines around these days that it
Wine is basically a luxury product. It’s not vital. In the past it was probably more vital, when the water that was available was not always healthy to drink. But today the main (only?) purpose
For many, the month of July means sun and holidays. A few weeks to relax and do whatever you like. And what about the wines? Shouldn’t they be undemanding as well? Probably, and the good
Sometimes the spell check program tells you that the word you have used in a text is “overused” and that you should “consider using another word”. This is often a good observation. A varied choice
VinNatur is an Italian association for, as the name implies, producers who make natural wines. The big difference compared to other natural wine associations is that VinNatur has strict regulations on viticulture and vinification and
Aroma wines and structure wines Sometimes a wine has a very small nose, does not smell much. We sometimes say a discreet or shy nose. Is that always bad? There is so much talk about
Typical. Guessing right again…? They are easily counted, the times I have called a wine “typical” during the past year. But what is typical? Everyone who has attended a wine course has learned typical aromas
Taste is by definition subjective, but that should not hinder us from using a more objective approach when discussing wine and winnings. What we tend to like varies. Some prefer to drink wine with a
To taste blind or not blind, that is the question. The answer is simple! Is it better to taste wines blind, semi-blind or open? That question has popped up several times lately. In recent months,
The impossible and absurd objectivity No, it is impossible to judge wine after a neutral and objective quality scale. But first… Is it important for the wine consumer if a wine has a “medal” in
My taste and your taste We all have our own personal taste. We enjoy different styles of wines, not necessarily the same as our neighbour. Our opinion about a wine is always personal. It is
With 115 points the Swedish team won the “Blind Tasting World Championship” with an 8 points margin to the silver medallist United Kingdom with 107 points and the number three, Luxembourg with 100. The competition
Riedel is known for its plethora of different types of wine glasses. They have become extremely popular, but in BKWine’s tasting room we use other types of wine tasting glasses. Now Riedel has launched a
Vinisud is the second biggest wine show in France (after Vinexpo), and in many ways the most interesting. At the next edition of Vinisud, in February, BKWine, Britt, has been asked to lead a wine
Vinisud is the second biggest wine show in France (after Vinexpo), and in many ways the most interesting. At the next edition of Vinisud, in February, BKWine, Britt, has been asked to lead a wine
Ridge Vineyards is a legendary vineyard in California. Their winemaker Paul Draper is also a legend in the wine world. Ridge was among the first to show the way towards quality wines in California. Paul
The question is fundamental to the whole concept of blind tastings. There are many arguments for saying that it is virtually impossible to give a fair judgement about a wine if you taste it totally
Can you know too much about something? Probably not — knowledge is almost always a positive thing. On the other hand, you must learn how
Sometimes you get the feeling that wine enthusiasts are more focussed on competition and excelling than anything else. In Sweden, this year’s blind tasting championship
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
There is no real answer to the eternal question “what is your favourite wine”; not for us and probably not for other wine enthusiasts. Much
Some countries are primarily associated with one grape variety, such as malbec in Argentina and sauvignon blanc in New Zealand. However, this latter country makes
Everyone who reads the Brief is probably more or less a wine enthusiast. We are, of course. We have been called geeks and it has
Everyone who reads the Brief is probably more or less a wine enthusiast. We are, of course. We have been called geeks and it has
Many countries like to put food on the outdoor grill. The South Americans have their asado and in South Africa they have braai. People love
“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
Describing wine is, at the same time, very personal and very scientific. What you perceive when you sniff or taste a wine depends on your
It is quite difficult to describe flavours so that others can understand. Flavours, especially when it comes to wine, are mostly described with similes. The
Has the summer so far been too much rosé and aromatic white? Maybe it is time to look for white wines with “structure”. But what
The Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards is one of the big wine competitions in South Africa with a few thousand entries. I was part
On a recent wine tour, one of the travellers told me that she has difficulty finding good organic wines. I was a bit surprised. There
Wine is basically a luxury product. It’s not vital. In the past it was probably more vital, when the water that was available was not
For many, the month of July means sun and holidays. A few weeks to relax and do whatever you like. And what about the wines?
Sometimes the spell check program tells you that the word you have used in a text is “overused” and that you should “consider using another
VinNatur is an Italian association for, as the name implies, producers who make natural wines. The big difference compared to other natural wine associations is
Aroma wines and structure wines Sometimes a wine has a very small nose, does not smell much. We sometimes say a discreet or shy nose.
Typical. Guessing right again…? They are easily counted, the times I have called a wine “typical” during the past year. But what is typical? Everyone
Taste is by definition subjective, but that should not hinder us from using a more objective approach when discussing wine and winnings. What we tend
To taste blind or not blind, that is the question. The answer is simple! Is it better to taste wines blind, semi-blind or open? That
The impossible and absurd objectivity No, it is impossible to judge wine after a neutral and objective quality scale. But first… Is it important for
My taste and your taste We all have our own personal taste. We enjoy different styles of wines, not necessarily the same as our neighbour.
With 115 points the Swedish team won the “Blind Tasting World Championship” with an 8 points margin to the silver medallist United Kingdom with 107
Riedel is known for its plethora of different types of wine glasses. They have become extremely popular, but in BKWine’s tasting room we use other
Vinisud is the second biggest wine show in France (after Vinexpo), and in many ways the most interesting. At the next edition of Vinisud, in
Vinisud is the second biggest wine show in France (after Vinexpo), and in many ways the most interesting. At the next edition of Vinisud, in
Ridge Vineyards is a legendary vineyard in California. Their winemaker Paul Draper is also a legend in the wine world. Ridge was among the first
The question is fundamental to the whole concept of blind tastings. There are many arguments for saying that it is virtually impossible to give a
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