South Africa has two world-renowned wine research institutes, the University of Stellenbosch and Nietvoorbij, also in Stellenbosch. The South Africa Wine Research, Development, and Innovation Team has recently presented its “2024 Research Book”. This publication
After three years of intense and persistent drought, it finally rained in the Cava vineyards in the heart of Penedès in Spanish Catalonia. A long-awaited rain fell this spring and allowed the vines to recover.
It has been a challenging year for many French wine regions. The Ministry of Agriculture predicts a slightly lower volume than the average of the last five years, which is just over 44 million hectolitres
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’
What can others learn from Italy? The country has been incredibly dominant in the Swedish market for several years. Italy sells twice as much as Spain and almost twice as much as France. Are the
— Why is Italy doing so well? — What can others learn from Italy? The country has been incredibly dominant in the Swedish market for several years. Italy sells twice as much as Spain and
The Torres family in Catalonia in northern Spain are some of the wine world’s foremost environmentalists. One project is to increase the use of reclaimed water (=water that has been purified after previously being used
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
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
The French company Pernod-Ricard owns many well-known wine and spirits brands. But they have had a major spring cleaning and thrown out many of their wine producers. Recently, parts of the extensive wine portfolio were
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
There is nothing that says a wine must be a vintage wine. “Vintage wine” isn’t necessarily a quality label. But we have gotten used to it and might feel a little lost if we suddenly
The organic vineyard area in France is not increasing as much as it used to, but it is still growing. The important thing is that not many organic producers sacrifice their certification despite, in some
Champagne has houses, independent growers, and cooperatives, some very big and some much smaller. One of the smaller co-operatives is one that I find quite interesting, Champagne Beaumont des Crayères. The main grape here is
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
— Can a wine be “typical”? Should a wine be typical? — A wine can be typical or not typical. Typical of what? It can be typical of a grape, a region, a vintage, or
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.
We have tasted two excellent wines from the beautiful coast of Tuscany. Tenuta Sette Cieli is located between Bolgheri and Castagneto Carducci, 400 meters above sea level. The property is over 100 hectares, but only
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,
Carmenère is originally a Bordeaux grape. It still is, but the area in Bordeaux today is tiny. The grape ripens poorly in Bordeaux, it is believed. Perhaps it is about to make a cautious comeback
French wine exports brought 11.9 billion euros to the country in 2023 (and over 18 billion if we add spirits), soaring above other agricultural products. Not surprisingly, France is the country in the world that
It doesn’t have to be red wine in the glass if you are having grilled meat on the barbecue for dinner. Especially not if you choose a white with a rich structure. Grape varieties such
A lot of rosé wine is being drunk right now. Maybe you are sitting with one in your hand. Although Provence has influenced many rosé wines worldwide with its sometimes absurdly light colour, the colour
Languedoc in southern France has become a dynamic and exciting wine region. The region has an incredible variety of wines, including red, rosé, white, and sparkling. The warm climate produces wines with generous fruit but
We have recently tried three Etna wines in three colours and two exciting Petnats from Tuscany. All these wines are imported to Sweden by Vinonista but are also available in other countries. “BKWine Tastes.” It is
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
The French sustainability label Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) was launched in 2012 for all types of agriculture. It gained momentum in 2017 when the interest grew like an avalanche among wine producers in particular to
“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
— Wine – a question of style — “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,
Austria makes some fabulous wines from gruner veltliner. Mostly, they are crisp, slim, elegant and with a hint of spice. But if this is the base-point, there is a big variety of styles. One of
South Africa has two world-renowned wine research institutes, the University of Stellenbosch and Nietvoorbij, also in Stellenbosch. The South Africa Wine Research, Development, and Innovation
After three years of intense and persistent drought, it finally rained in the Cava vineyards in the heart of Penedès in Spanish Catalonia. A long-awaited
It has been a challenging year for many French wine regions. The Ministry of Agriculture predicts a slightly lower volume than the average of the
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
What can others learn from Italy? The country has been incredibly dominant in the Swedish market for several years. Italy sells twice as much as
— Why is Italy doing so well? — What can others learn from Italy? The country has been incredibly dominant in the Swedish market for
The Torres family in Catalonia in northern Spain are some of the wine world’s foremost environmentalists. One project is to increase the use of reclaimed
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
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
The French company Pernod-Ricard owns many well-known wine and spirits brands. But they have had a major spring cleaning and thrown out many of their
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.
There is nothing that says a wine must be a vintage wine. “Vintage wine” isn’t necessarily a quality label. But we have gotten used to
The organic vineyard area in France is not increasing as much as it used to, but it is still growing. The important thing is that
Champagne has houses, independent growers, and cooperatives, some very big and some much smaller. One of the smaller co-operatives is one that I find quite
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.
— Can a wine be “typical”? Should a wine be typical? — A wine can be typical or not typical. Typical of what? It can
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,
We have tasted two excellent wines from the beautiful coast of Tuscany. Tenuta Sette Cieli is located between Bolgheri and Castagneto Carducci, 400 meters above
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%
Carmenère is originally a Bordeaux grape. It still is, but the area in Bordeaux today is tiny. The grape ripens poorly in Bordeaux, it is
French wine exports brought 11.9 billion euros to the country in 2023 (and over 18 billion if we add spirits), soaring above other agricultural products.
It doesn’t have to be red wine in the glass if you are having grilled meat on the barbecue for dinner. Especially not if you
A lot of rosé wine is being drunk right now. Maybe you are sitting with one in your hand. Although Provence has influenced many rosé
Languedoc in southern France has become a dynamic and exciting wine region. The region has an incredible variety of wines, including red, rosé, white, and
We have recently tried three Etna wines in three colours and two exciting Petnats from Tuscany. All these wines are imported to Sweden by Vinonista but
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
The French sustainability label Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) was launched in 2012 for all types of agriculture. It gained momentum in 2017 when the interest
“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
— Wine – a question of style — “What is your favourite wine (or favourite region)?” I get asked this a lot, and it is
Austria makes some fabulous wines from gruner veltliner. Mostly, they are crisp, slim, elegant and with a hint of spice. But if this is the
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