Focus on the environment in 2021, with carrot and stick | New Brief #209

Predicting what will happen in 2021 is difficult. The only thing we can be sure of is that the environment and everything the wine producers can do to improve it will be on the agenda. Organic and sustainable viticulture will continue to increase. New, fungus-resistant grapes will appear, albeit on a microscopic scale to begin with. But we might as well start getting used to them

In 2020, France reduced the permitted amount of glyphosate (the active ingredient in most herbicides) quite radically. Many (conventional) winegrowers are upset. The discussions about how to change the work in the vineyard are likely to continue this year. However, there is still much debate about how dangerous glyphosate is, and it is unclear whether other countries will follow suit.

In 2019, the amount of copper for spraying against mildiou was reduced to 4 kilos per year and hectares (from 6 kg). It has been unclear, however, whether an equalization will be allowed or not, i.e. 28 kg per hectare and year over seven years. It was originally planned, but it has not happened. Such an equalization would make it easier to cope with challenging years. It will probably not be allowed, which means problems for some organic growers. But many continue to hope.

In 2020, sales of cheap wines increased worldwide. France lags behind. The country has not bothered to compete in the low-price market. Probably the right decision. Others do it better and more successfully. But France had not expected that there would be a pandemic and that sales of more expensive wines would decrease.

Wine is a business for most people—something they make a living off. So price and profitability are often and lively discussed, as are government subsidies, EU subsidies and tax breaks. The pandemic makes it even more relevant.

In 2020, there has been a lot of talk in France about the prices of organic wines. They are increasing, which is positive, in a way. Organic farming often costs a little more. There has been a certain lack of supply of organic wine from specific regions. So organic growers are now wondering, what happens when the supply increases, will the prices fall again? Interesting question.

Right now the bulk price per tonneau (900 litres) is around 2000 euros for organic Bordeaux wine (i.e. 2.22 € per litre or 1.70 euros calculated per bottle) and about 900 euros for red conventional Bordeaux wine (1 € respectively 0.75 euro). Other regions also show a difference of between 1 and 2 euros per litre. Comparing bulk wine prices is a bit like comparing one kilo of organic tomatoes with 1 kilo of non-organic—a good illustration of the market.

A euro or so of difference is a lot, and of course, a motivation to convert to organic farming. But the more people who switch to organic, the greater the supply and perhaps prices and profitability will fall. Let us then hope that the converts see other benefits of organic farming.

But in practice, many producers go organic not primarily because organic wine sells better, but because they want to take care of their immediate environment and of their family and employees. Getting paid more is a positive side effect.

Some other important things to mention:

We are happy and proud to announce that we, Britt and Per, have been appointed experts for everything that has to do with wine for the Swedish National Encyclopedia (a bit like Encyclopaedia Britannica but Swedish). There are actually many articles about wine, so it will take some time to go through and do updates where needed. But it will be lots of fun.

Talking about facts and learning, you can learn a lot about wine in our “wine school”. We have collected articles that go a little more in-depth in a place where you can browse and read about most things in the wine world: BKWine’s wine school can be found here.

There is, for example, our series of articles on organic wine, natural wine, sustainable and biodynamic, as well as our series of articles on the most important world’s grape varieties (more to come).

And, of course, our wine tours

If everything goes in the right direction, then maybe we can resume our wine tours already this spring. We have planned two tours for the spring and thus hope that vaccination and everything else will go fast and well.

In the autumn, we hope that borders are easier to cross and that the will to travel is up and running again. We have tours planned for Bordeaux and Champagne. New this year is that you can combine these two regions for a fantastic 9-day wine tour in France.

The winter of 2022 is also an excellent opportunity to reconnect with wine travel. We, and maybe you as well, enjoy spending a few weeks of the winter in a slightly warmer country, so our winter program offers our three classic tours to the southern hemisphere:

Chile and Argentina with the spectacular journey across the Andes, Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Valparaíso and much more.

South Africa, where we cover all important wine regions, with some of the absolute top producers, not always so well known outside this beautiful country.

New Zealand, a journey of discovery from north to south where you get to experience that Kiwi means not only sauvignon blanc, but also many other lovely wines and a landscape that is more beautiful than the Hobbits.

So when the desire to travel comes back and the borders open, then you know that we are here and have the best wine tours planned for you.

Travel to the wine regions with those who specialize in wine travel and wine. Travel with BKWine.

Enjoy the Brief!

Britt & Per

If you appreciate what we do, you can help us:Tell your friends about the Brief or send it to them.

Like us and follow us on social media.