Seek out diversity, ditch the same-same and fame
Diversity is what makes the wine world unique. Wine is in essence nothing but an agricultural product. For most of those who make wine, life as a wine farmer is not as glamorous as it is sometimes portrayed. What is unique is the incredible number of different producers and different wines that we can choose from. No wine is just like the next (well, maybe a slight exaggeration). And they must all find a buyer. I sometimes marvel at that. That every wine finds its way into someone’s glass, somewhere in the world.
For some producers, it is easier than for others.
Some producers are “discovered” by the right wine journalist or by the right sommelier. Other writers join in and fame is not far away for that particular producer or wine region.
But who gets discovered and who doesn’t is often a bit random. And sometimes hard to understand. Of course, it may be due to hard work and exceptionally good wine. But it is often just as much about happening to meet the right person at the right time. Like so much else in life.
The fact that no one has written copiously about a producer, or about a less famous wine region, does not mean that he/she/it is not worth our attention.
Are all hyped cult producers really worthy of the attention they receive? It depends on how you look at it. It certainly brings with it some inconvenience for those wine consumers who absolutely want to drink their wines. Because everyone else wants them too. So, there will be quotas, rationing, skyrocketing prices, and people queue for hours to get that sought-after bottle. And get disappointed when they don’t get it. “There was none left when I came to the shop…”
But there’s really no reason to be disappointed. There is always another good wine to buy. Which probably costs less too. And is just as good, or even better. Just not so well-known.
It is undeniable so that it is easier to find producers and wines that somebody has written about. Otherwise, you have to have the courage to throw yourself into the unknown. But perhaps the current trend of organic wines brings with it another positive aspect. It makes people look for other things than the name on the label when they buy wine. The producer’s name may not be the most important, at least not to start with. Maybe you buy an unknown wine just because it is organic or biodynamic. And thanks to that you discover something new and unexpected.
Fundamentally, at least for us, a big part of the charm of the world of wine is to discover new producers, make new wine acquaintances (in bottle or in real life). In fact, it is rather uninteresting to look for or find “the best bordeaux”, “the top-ranking champagne”, “the premier barolo producer”, and so on.
What is really exciting, fun and inspiring is to discover something new.
In addition, considering it is soon Christmas, you can keep in mind that you might be doing a good deed. The producer of that famous, sought-after wine probably does not really need your money as much as he or she who struggles and works hard to get in front of the consumer with his wines. And just as delicious as the famous name.
This Brief has more for you to read than usual. Perhaps a good thing, now when Christmas is approaching and it is time to wind down.
We also have some Christmas gift tips in this Brief (no prizes for guessing what).
Don’t forget to take a look at our wine tour program. We might be able to squeeze you in on one of our winter tours in the southern hemisphere if you hurry up. Who does not want to get away from the cold and the darkness up north? Or you can opt for a spring wine tour. Spring is a wonderful season in the wine regions. It is not harvest, of course, but the light is fantastic, things start growing, weather is (usually) lovely… And the wine and food is as good as always. The fall wine tours are also on the wine tour site and soon we will have full details even for the winter 2021 tours (southern hemisphere!) if you are a long term planner.
Travel on a wine tour with someone you can trust, someone who knows wine inside out, and someone who know all about wine tours. Travel with us of course!
Lots of reading below!
Britt & Per
PS: Recommend to your friends to read the Brief!
What’s on at BKWine Tours
2020
- Chile and Argentina, January 20 – February 2, 2020
- South Africa, February 15-23, 2020
- New Zealand, March 9-24, 2020
- Bordeaux, April 15-19, 2020
- Champagne, September 16-20, 2020
- Bordeaux, September 30 – October 4, 2020
For more information please contact us on email or on phone (we’re on French time), or go to our wine travel site on www.bkwinetours.com!
We also make custom designed wine tours – on-demand tours for you and a group of friends, for your company (maybe to scout new winegrowers?), for a special event… We can combine winery visits and wine touring with other activities: gastronomic workshops, visit to an oyster farm, truffles hunting, cheese making, and more. More info on the custom designed and bespoke BKWine wine tours and travel here!
Read our book(s)
We have written several wine books, nine at the last count. One of them has been translated to English; the others are (so far) only available in Swedish. This is the one that is available in English: Biodynamic, Organic and Natural Winemaking, Sustainable Viticulture and Viniculture
All our books are on wine, but on different subjects: wines of the Languedoc, wine growing and wine making, the wines of France, Tuscany, Bordeaux, Piedmont, Burgundy, Champagne. Several have won prestigeous prizes and awards. Read more on our wine books.
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