Packaging or contents?
We all know the importance of the label on the wine bottle. How it influences us to buy or not to buy. Most consumers are not so knowledgeable about wine, and even if you are, you will sometimes be in a situation where you are unfamiliar with most wines on the shelf. Not knowing the wine, the label has to do the trick.
With the label, the producer can show a little of his philosophy. Because the character of the wine will probably match the label to some extent. A formal picture of a chateau label or a colourful, artistically designed label? Yes, you will have different expectations.
A bit like the shape of the bottle. If you see at a Bordeaux style bottle you often expect a fuller and more tannic wine than you do if you see a bottle with sloping shoulders.
You often know it’s a natural wine when you see a funny looking label or a very strange one.
But it is not just with the label that the producers can show who they are. A lightweight glass bottle shows that they think about the environment. Only this week did we have two such bottles. Still, the producers probably do not dare to switch because many consumers associate low weight with low quality. But that will probably change soon. Just as it has (to some extent at least) for screw caps.
Right now we cross our fingers for growers in Chablis and Burgundy and other northern regions in France, Italy and other countries. These are critical times (in many ways…). The spring has suddenly turned really cold and temperatures below zero are lurking around the corner. This can mean catastrophe in the vineyard this time of the year. If temperatures goes below freezing point for too long a time the tiny buds and leaves freeze to death. Frost has already struck many last night!
Take a look at our wine tour program. We have several exciting tours lined up this autumn. Piedmont and Alentejo are new on the list. We also have classics like Bordeaux and the Douro.
If you are looking for bigger adventures, take a look at the programs for South Africa and Chile-Argentina, countries very exciting things happen in wine these days.
More info below.
Enjoy the Brief!
Britt & Per
PS: Recommend to your friends to read the Brief !
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