We are still in the peak of summer, even though the calendar says September 4th. Bandol, a small appellation in Provence, shows itself from its most magnificent side. The grapes are ripe. The harvest has
The Rhône Valley is one of France’s great wine regions. The red wines dominate, but the white ones should not be ignored. There are many small growers in the Rhone region. But the Rhône Valley
How much wine did we drink in 2020? Much more due to covid? Which are the countries that drink the most wine? Or rephrasing: which are the biggest markets for wine in the world? The
How much output you get from a certain input is what we usually call productivity. In the wine industry we usually talk about yields, often in hectolitres per hectare. This article explores the productivity/yields in
In 2020 the world’s wine production increased a little to reach 260 million hectolitres. This is slightly below the long term average. Italy is still the biggest wine producing country, followed by France and Spain.
The biggest vine-growing countries in the world The world’s vineyard acreage (the planted surface area) has been slowly declining for several years. 2020 was no different; the vineyard plantings declined, but only slightly. There is
Not so long ago, we discovered timorasso, an Italian white grape variety in Piedmont. Since then, we have tasted a fair number of timorasso wines, most recently from Cantine Bottazzi. We believe that this grape
If you go to Fitou and the southern part of Corbières in the French Languedoc, you will be greeted by a wild, barren and beautiful landscape. Here, the vines coexist with the local shrub vegetation
Here’s your introduction to Armenian wines. Armenia is a small wine country, but one with a long history. Wine production here almost disappeared during the Soviet era. But a new generation of winemakers is reviving
Chenin blanc is one of the world’s top white grape varieties. Yet, sometimes chenin wine producers in Vouvray are frustrated. Selling a chenin blanc is not as easy as selling a sauvignon blanc, they say.
The international trade in wine grew a lot in the first half of 2021, the latest numbers from the OIV reveal. This was expected, considering the difficulties of world trade in 2020. But even compared
One of the charms of exploring the world of wine is to discover new wines, wines that may surprise you. Or simply wines that you didn’t know existed, but that you put on your to-drink
This time of the year we usually get the first estimates of the current year’s wine production, 2021 is no different. It is the OIV that assembles the statistics of global wine production. This time
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 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
Savoie is better known for its cheeses than for its wines. Everyone knows the names of at least some of the cheeses: reblochon, beaufort, tomme de savoie, abondance… But does anybody know what grapes they
Sardinia has once again impressed us. This time we have tasted wines from carignano and bovale sardo. Behind these local Sardinian names are Spanish grape varieties. Carignano is a synonym for cariñena/mazuelo in Spain (carignan
Chassenay d’Arce is a small cooperative based in the heart of the Côte des Bar region. A group of growers founded it in 1956. We recently tasted their champagnes together with winemaker Brice Bécard and
Austria is not just white wines. Increasingly its red wines grab our attention. We have tasted wines from Neusiedlersee DAC in Burgenland in easternmost Austria. Lake Neusiedl has long been famous for its noble sweet
Predicting the future of organic wines may seem easy. The number of certified hectares is steadily increasing in Europe. Small wine growers convert, as well as famous Bordeaux chateaux. Consumers increasingly buy organic wines. Bulk
Col d’Orcia in Montalcino is one of our favourite producers to visit on our wine tours to Tuscany. Recently we tasted several of the estate’s Brunello di Montalcino wines together with the owner, count Francesco
We sometimes come across people from the Nordic countries who have changed careers and are now seen among the vineyards somewhere in Europe. Riku Väänänen left Finland around five years ago and now owns and
To blend a champagne to perfection demands a good nose and experience. When we drink the finished product, the bubbles play a significant part in the overall experience. They add freshness and a special sensation
In the small town of Canale in Piedmont, right in the town centre, you find the Enrico Serafino winery. It has a long history going back almost 150 years. But today, the business is very
Wine defects. No-one wants them. But what is it really? Numerous things can spoil a wine. No doubt many wines were spoilt back in the old days when wine producers had little knowledge of wine
Maybe you find it strange that I call Willi’s Wine Bar the first real wine bar in Paris. You could, of course, drop in at many Parisian bars and cafés before 1980 and have a
The Canary Islands have sun, beaches, volcanoes and tourists. But they also have wine. In fact, they have an important place in the history and evolution of world-wide wine growing. On the Canary Island they
I remember my first cabernet franc in France, many years ago. The restaurant served it freezing cold. It was customary at the time to keep the wines from Chinon and Bourgueil in the fridge with
Mazzei is one of Tuscany’s, Italy’s and maybe also the world’s oldest wine producer. The same family still owns it since 1435. It is impressive. We recently spoke with Giovanni Mazzei to hear more about
We often point out that it is easy to recognize an organic wine, at least in Europe. All you have to do is look for the green EU logo on the label. It is not
We are still in the peak of summer, even though the calendar says September 4th. Bandol, a small appellation in Provence, shows itself from its
The Rhône Valley is one of France’s great wine regions. The red wines dominate, but the white ones should not be ignored. There are many
How much wine did we drink in 2020? Much more due to covid? Which are the countries that drink the most wine? Or rephrasing: which
How much output you get from a certain input is what we usually call productivity. In the wine industry we usually talk about yields, often
In 2020 the world’s wine production increased a little to reach 260 million hectolitres. This is slightly below the long term average. Italy is still
The biggest vine-growing countries in the world The world’s vineyard acreage (the planted surface area) has been slowly declining for several years. 2020 was no
Not so long ago, we discovered timorasso, an Italian white grape variety in Piedmont. Since then, we have tasted a fair number of timorasso wines,
If you go to Fitou and the southern part of Corbières in the French Languedoc, you will be greeted by a wild, barren and beautiful
Here’s your introduction to Armenian wines. Armenia is a small wine country, but one with a long history. Wine production here almost disappeared during the
Chenin blanc is one of the world’s top white grape varieties. Yet, sometimes chenin wine producers in Vouvray are frustrated. Selling a chenin blanc is
The international trade in wine grew a lot in the first half of 2021, the latest numbers from the OIV reveal. This was expected, considering
One of the charms of exploring the world of wine is to discover new wines, wines that may surprise you. Or simply wines that you
This time of the year we usually get the first estimates of the current year’s wine production, 2021 is no different. It is the OIV
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 Bordeaux primeurs “circus” is famous. Hundreds of buyers and journalists gather in Bordeaux in April to taste the latest vintage. Almost two years before
Savoie is better known for its cheeses than for its wines. Everyone knows the names of at least some of the cheeses: reblochon, beaufort, tomme
Sardinia has once again impressed us. This time we have tasted wines from carignano and bovale sardo. Behind these local Sardinian names are Spanish grape
Chassenay d’Arce is a small cooperative based in the heart of the Côte des Bar region. A group of growers founded it in 1956. We
Austria is not just white wines. Increasingly its red wines grab our attention. We have tasted wines from Neusiedlersee DAC in Burgenland in easternmost Austria.
Predicting the future of organic wines may seem easy. The number of certified hectares is steadily increasing in Europe. Small wine growers convert, as well
Col d’Orcia in Montalcino is one of our favourite producers to visit on our wine tours to Tuscany. Recently we tasted several of the estate’s
We sometimes come across people from the Nordic countries who have changed careers and are now seen among the vineyards somewhere in Europe. Riku Väänänen
To blend a champagne to perfection demands a good nose and experience. When we drink the finished product, the bubbles play a significant part in
In the small town of Canale in Piedmont, right in the town centre, you find the Enrico Serafino winery. It has a long history going
Wine defects. No-one wants them. But what is it really? Numerous things can spoil a wine. No doubt many wines were spoilt back in the
Maybe you find it strange that I call Willi’s Wine Bar the first real wine bar in Paris. You could, of course, drop in at
The Canary Islands have sun, beaches, volcanoes and tourists. But they also have wine. In fact, they have an important place in the history and
I remember my first cabernet franc in France, many years ago. The restaurant served it freezing cold. It was customary at the time to keep
Mazzei is one of Tuscany’s, Italy’s and maybe also the world’s oldest wine producer. The same family still owns it since 1435. It is impressive.
We often point out that it is easy to recognize an organic wine, at least in Europe. All you have to do is look for
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?
