Vineyard prices in France always show large regional differences. Most notable right now is the drop in value in Bordeaux. Vineyards with AOP Bordeaux (the appellation for the most inexpensive Bordeaux wines) and planted with
Summer is here (or so they say – here we have 13C) and you might look for a lighter and fresher style of wine and skip the heavy and full-bodied ones for later. But still,
The UGCB, Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, is an exclusive association for the classified châteaux of Bordeaux (the 1855 classification in Médoc and Sauternes and the classifications in Graves and Saint Emilion), as well
Heat, drought, moisture, downy mildew, powdery mildew, grey rot, hail… The winegrowers in France have not lacked challenges in 2023. Now the harvest is finished and despite difficulties the result is excellent. In Burgundy, everyone
We ended up in the middle of the harvest when we visited Bordeaux around September 20th. We had expected to see some gloomy faces, but it was mostly happy faces. We knew about the severe
You’ve probably heard it before. “How do you make a small fortune in wine? You start with a big fortune.” Looking at the list of France’s riches people, this seems to be only partially true.
Saint Emilion is small-scale and very different from the Médoc on the other side of the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. Saint Emilion has an pretty, rolling and green landscape. The chateaux are smaller and not
Bordeaux is about to become smaller again. The last time it happened was in 2008-2009, after the financial crisis. 10,000 hectares disappeared at the time. Now it is happening again. The plans are to pull
We already wrote last year (2022) that it might soon be possible to make white appellation wine in the Médoc, which is currently not allowed. The white wine made on the Médoc peninsula today can
In the appellations of Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur, and probably soon in the Haut-Médoc, they are allowed to plant certain non-traditional Bordeaux grapes varieties that are believed may possibly help the region cope with a
Soon you will have to be careful when you order a glass of Entre-deux-Mers with your oysters. Entre-deux-Mers is an appellation in Bordeaux for white wines in a refreshing and light style, often with a
Last autumn, our wine tours took us to a number of wine regions and wine countries, including France, Italy, Portugal, and Austria. We took the occasion to ask some of the winemakers what they thought
Many wine producers struggle to make both ends meet these days. Not so Bernard Arnault, a French businessman, who controls an empire that dominates both champagne and cognac. He is now the world’s richest person
In 2016, the Pessac-Léognan appellation in northern Graves in Bordeaux changed its rules to allow irrigation during severe drought. Irrigation is a much-discussed topic in France today, and as the hot and dry summers continue,
Organic farming is spreading like wildfire among the great châteaux of Bordeaux. Château Pédesclaux, a classified château in Pauillac, has recently received its certification. The whole process actually started back in 2009 when the Lorenzetti
In September, after two years of work, the updated list of Saint Emilion’s classification was announced. After the turbulence of the previous update (2006, but approved only in 2012, click the link to read more),
Once upon a time, quite a lot of white wine was made in Médoc. Then it was banned. Or, to be more precise, the eight appellations of the Médoc Peninsula can only be used for
Frost nights in the spring when the tiny buds have begun to appear are a recurring scourge for many winegrowers. Arnaud Thomassin at Château de France in Pessac-Léognan, a producer we have followed for many
This month we have chosen a Côte Rôtie, two Bordeaux wines to drink young and two wines from the not so known Loire Valley region of Coteaux du Vendômois. “BKWine Tastes”. It is a collection
A grand rendez-vous between Rioja and Bordeaux took place on March 21 in the small pleasant town of Haro in Rioja, more specifically at the well-known Barrio de la Estación, the old station area. This
Today we introduce a new series: “BKWine Tastes”. It is a collection of wines we have tasted recently. It is often samples that producers have sent us to show us what they do, or other
It will probably become common in the future for an appellation to require all their producers to have some sustainability label. AOP Côtes de Bourg in Bordeaux wants to go one step further. Here they
Château Angélus has chosen not to be included in the 2022 update of the Saint Emilion classification. This announcement comes a few months after two other A-chateaux dropped out, Cheval Blanc and Ausone. Angélus, together
In today’s tough competition, a little help from friends and colleagues doesn’t hurt. Therefore, wine producers sometimes form associations or clubs with like-minded people. Vignobles & Signatures was created in 1984 after an impromptu meeting
Pomerol in Bordeaux is banning the use of chemical weed control. This is the first appellation in France to take this decision. The new rules were adopted on October 21 this year (2021). The new
We have tasted a wide range of the top echelons of red Bordeaux from 2018, the latest vintage released from the big chateaux. 2018 is an acclaimed vintage, but challenging weather meant the producers had
The weather during the harvest in France has been sunny and warm in many places. Despite the problems during the spring and summer, many are optimistic about the new 2021 vintage. Severe weather conditions do
The Bordeaux primeurs “circus” is famous. Hundreds of buyers and journalists gather in Bordeaux in April to taste the latest vintage. Almost two years before it will be released on the market. It is a
Château Raymond-Lafon, the chateau and wine estate of the Meslier family, is next door to the legendary Château d’Yquem. Only a few meters apart, the vineyards differ and both chateaux have the same strict selection
Classification of wine estates is notoriously tricky. (And of debatable or no value to consumers.) In 2022, Saint Emilion will update its classification, and the drama has already started. When the application for participation in
Vineyard prices in France always show large regional differences. Most notable right now is the drop in value in Bordeaux. Vineyards with AOP Bordeaux (the
Summer is here (or so they say – here we have 13C) and you might look for a lighter and fresher style of wine and
The UGCB, Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, is an exclusive association for the classified châteaux of Bordeaux (the 1855 classification in Médoc and Sauternes
Heat, drought, moisture, downy mildew, powdery mildew, grey rot, hail… The winegrowers in France have not lacked challenges in 2023. Now the harvest is finished
We ended up in the middle of the harvest when we visited Bordeaux around September 20th. We had expected to see some gloomy faces, but
You’ve probably heard it before. “How do you make a small fortune in wine? You start with a big fortune.” Looking at the list of
Saint Emilion is small-scale and very different from the Médoc on the other side of the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. Saint Emilion has an pretty,
Bordeaux is about to become smaller again. The last time it happened was in 2008-2009, after the financial crisis. 10,000 hectares disappeared at the time.
We already wrote last year (2022) that it might soon be possible to make white appellation wine in the Médoc, which is currently not allowed.
In the appellations of Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur, and probably soon in the Haut-Médoc, they are allowed to plant certain non-traditional Bordeaux grapes varieties that
Soon you will have to be careful when you order a glass of Entre-deux-Mers with your oysters. Entre-deux-Mers is an appellation in Bordeaux for white
Last autumn, our wine tours took us to a number of wine regions and wine countries, including France, Italy, Portugal, and Austria. We took the
Many wine producers struggle to make both ends meet these days. Not so Bernard Arnault, a French businessman, who controls an empire that dominates both
In 2016, the Pessac-Léognan appellation in northern Graves in Bordeaux changed its rules to allow irrigation during severe drought. Irrigation is a much-discussed topic in
Organic farming is spreading like wildfire among the great châteaux of Bordeaux. Château Pédesclaux, a classified château in Pauillac, has recently received its certification. The
In September, after two years of work, the updated list of Saint Emilion’s classification was announced. After the turbulence of the previous update (2006, but
Once upon a time, quite a lot of white wine was made in Médoc. Then it was banned. Or, to be more precise, the eight
Frost nights in the spring when the tiny buds have begun to appear are a recurring scourge for many winegrowers. Arnaud Thomassin at Château de
This month we have chosen a Côte Rôtie, two Bordeaux wines to drink young and two wines from the not so known Loire Valley region
A grand rendez-vous between Rioja and Bordeaux took place on March 21 in the small pleasant town of Haro in Rioja, more specifically at the
Today we introduce a new series: “BKWine Tastes”. It is a collection of wines we have tasted recently. It is often samples that producers have
It will probably become common in the future for an appellation to require all their producers to have some sustainability label. AOP Côtes de Bourg
Château Angélus has chosen not to be included in the 2022 update of the Saint Emilion classification. This announcement comes a few months after two
In today’s tough competition, a little help from friends and colleagues doesn’t hurt. Therefore, wine producers sometimes form associations or clubs with like-minded people. Vignobles
Pomerol in Bordeaux is banning the use of chemical weed control. This is the first appellation in France to take this decision. The new rules
We have tasted a wide range of the top echelons of red Bordeaux from 2018, the latest vintage released from the big chateaux. 2018 is
The weather during the harvest in France has been sunny and warm in many places. Despite the problems during the spring and summer, many are
The Bordeaux primeurs “circus” is famous. Hundreds of buyers and journalists gather in Bordeaux in April to taste the latest vintage. Almost two years before
Château Raymond-Lafon, the chateau and wine estate of the Meslier family, is next door to the legendary Château d’Yquem. Only a few meters apart, the
Classification of wine estates is notoriously tricky. (And of debatable or no value to consumers.) In 2022, Saint Emilion will update its classification, and the
Newsletter:
Get our free monthly newsletter, the BKWine Brief and join 25,000 other wine and travel enthusiasts.
Text and images may not be used without our permission. More info on copyright.
25,000 subscribers get wine news every month. You too?
