Tag: France

Chinese champagne is but a memory

China has recently recognized the appellation Champagne. This means that in future in China you will not see any Chinese bubbles, or imported ones for that matter, that is labelled as Champagne if they do

Street sign, rue du Riesling

Monopoly on grape varieties! Why?

In recent years, many new wine laws have been introduced in the EU. Among other things, the rules for “wines without geographical origin” have changed. These used to be called vin de table in France

Tasting wines from Domaine Fèvre in Chablis

One of our most popular tours is the one called 3 French Classics wine tour. This tour always includes Chablis. The wines of Chablis are popular in many countries and it’s easy to understand why.

Good times for construction companies in Bordeaux

Out with the stainless steel and in with the concrete? The Bordeaux chateaux are building new cellars as never before. The economic crisis seems to be long gone, at least in Médoc, Saint Emilion and

Fermentation vats at Union Champagne cooperative (Champagne de Saint Gall), Champagne

Some interesting facts about Champagne

Area in production: 33 350 hectares, of which: The Champagne houses 3 400 hectares The growers own 29 900 hectares and Production: 320 million bottles, of which: The Champagne houses produce 219 million bottles, The

Steep slopes vineyards with vineyard workers in Condrieu, Rhone Valley

More expensive to hire seasonal workers in France

Starting this year, the government in France has annulled some of the exceptions to the social security contributions for seasonal workers that the agricultural employers have previously enjoyed. In other words, it is now more

Machine harvest in Champagne?

Since 1st of January this year, it has become significantly more expensive in France to hire seasonal workers in the vineyard because of increased employer contributions. In Champagne producers have even begun to discuss the

Famous wines from William Fèvre in Chablis

In early April, we did a tour to three classic white wine regions in France: Chablis, Sancerre and Champagne. The vines had just recovered from the cold winter and tiny green buds braved the cold.

Pinotage vines in Constantia, South Africa

French pinotage?

Last year, in 2012, seven new grape varieties were approved for wine production in France. Five of these were foreign varieties that are considered of interest either for the production of French wines or for

Innovation and quality at Champagne Jacquesson

Champagne Jacquesson is an innovative champagne house and a very quality conscious. BKWine’s Ulf Bengtsson recently met the owner, Jean-Hervé Chiquet and took part in a tasting in Stockholm, organized by Jacquesson’s Swedish importer. Read

Planting rights – the circus continues

France (and some other major European wine countries) is fighting tooth and nail to maintain planting rights in Europe. And even though they have managed to obtain an extension they are far from satisfied. The

The vineyards at Chateau d'Yquem, Sauternes

Sauternes – the death of a myth

It is sad when something you have always believed in turns out to be false. I suppose I am not the only one having learned early on that the fog that causes noble rot in

A barrel that has been treated with sulphur

New yeast strain gives wines with less sulphur

All wines contain sulphur, but some less than others, help is on the way Almost all wines contain sulphur. This is not only because most winemakers add sulphur to stabilise the wine and make it

Alsace – dry or sweet?

We have probably all experienced a bottle of wine from Alsace that did not go well with the food we served. The reason being, for the most part, that the wine was sweeter than we

Champagne is like haute couture?

More and more champagne houses mention the disgorging date on the label. A champagne often spends several years in the cool cellar of the producer, resting on the dead yeast from the second fermentation. Removing

Grape bunch attacked by grey rot

Protest party in Alsace

10 or 12 producers in Alsace recently formed a group called Groupe Transverse Alsace 2015. The group believes that the wine industry in Alsace needs to be reformed. The members are well known producers such

Chinese champagne is but a memory

China has recently recognized the appellation Champagne. This means that in future in China you will not see any Chinese bubbles, or imported ones for

Street sign, rue du Riesling

Monopoly on grape varieties! Why?

In recent years, many new wine laws have been introduced in the EU. Among other things, the rules for “wines without geographical origin” have changed.

Machine harvest in Champagne?

Since 1st of January this year, it has become significantly more expensive in France to hire seasonal workers in the vineyard because of increased employer

Pinotage vines in Constantia, South Africa

French pinotage?

Last year, in 2012, seven new grape varieties were approved for wine production in France. Five of these were foreign varieties that are considered of

Alsace – dry or sweet?

We have probably all experienced a bottle of wine from Alsace that did not go well with the food we served. The reason being, for

Champagne is like haute couture?

More and more champagne houses mention the disgorging date on the label. A champagne often spends several years in the cool cellar of the producer,

Grape bunch attacked by grey rot

Protest party in Alsace

10 or 12 producers in Alsace recently formed a group called Groupe Transverse Alsace 2015. The group believes that the wine industry in Alsace needs

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