Learn more about wine with our fact-filled articles under the heading ”wine school”. On how to make wine, on wine regions, on grape varieties, on tasting wine and much, much more. Facts about the wonderful world of wine. Everything from in-depth technical articles on viticulture and winemaking to tasting tips to learn more about flavours and characters.
Birds munching on ripe grapes can be a big problem in the vineyards. We have seen it in New Zealand and South Africa; it occurs in Australia and elsewhere around the world. However, from what
Wild yeast or cultivated yeast? That is the eternal question right now, or at least one can get that impression in certain discussions. It seems as if the wild yeast is gaining ground, but that
Pinot noir has a reputation for being a difficult grape, yet it is found in many places around the world. Maybe the grape isn’t so tricky after all if you free yourself from the idea
What is natural wine? Are there rules? Is it good or weird? The concept of natural wine has emerged in recent years. It has been covered in media and bated. Many people have never drunk
A reader of our Brief had seen an advertisement for a sparkling wine called Bubbly Rosé which was sealed with a regular crown cap (old fashioned beer bottle cap). She wanted to hear more about
Being biodynamic is not the same as being organic, even though they have many things in common. Only a tiny proportion of organic growers are also biodynamic. But their number is growing. If you want
Organic wine is becoming increasingly popular. Many consumers look for it and many producers convert to become organic. But what is it really, organic wine? On this web conference video masterclass we explain what it
Merlot is something of a chameleon. All grapes are, of course, in one way or another. But sometimes it’s more noticeable, as with merlot. Château Petrus, 95% merlot, is Bordeaux’s most expensive wine. Petrus’ prices
Although organic farming is increasing, it is still what we call conventional agriculture that dominates, where you can use synthetic chemical products. Therefore, organic producers need to be able to prove that they work organically
Chardonnay is grown all over the world. It can handle many kinds of climate and soil types. It is often oak aged but not always. All this means that chardonnay is available in many different
Almost all of the world’s most popular quality grape varieties have spread around the globe. But in the world’s top ten list of most planted grapes, there is one that you will find almost only
A versatile grape variety that has survived multiple crises, with the world’s second largest white plantings Chardonnay has survived trends and fashion. Maybe you remember the ABC movement, Anything But Chardonnay? I am sure there
We often hear organic wine growers saying that the organic way of thinking should continue in the cellar. But what does that mean? The rules for organic wine in the cellar has to do with
A tasting of syrah from four countries France and Australia are the two major countries producing syrah (or shiraz). But the grape is grown in many countries around the world. Does the character change depending
Advantages and difficulties of farming organically The environmental debate is not a black-and-white issue. Organic growers inspire conventional and sustainable winegrowers. Non-organic growers use many of the organic methods. At the same time, some of
Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in virtually all wine countries around the world. It is the world’s most popular – most planted – grape variety. The best way to discover the many different faces of cabernet
Syrah is the fourth most planted red grape in the world after cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and tempranillo. Syrah is found on almost 190,000 hectares across the globe. It is today a fashionable and popular grape
It’s great to have access to all this wine information… But watch out! Most things we want to know about today, we can google in a few seconds. It’s terrific and it’s hard to imagine
Cabernet Sauvignon is now the grape variety with the biggest acreage in the world Cabernet Sauvignon has long been responsible for some of the world’s most talked-about, appreciated and expensive wines. In Bordeaux, it is
More and more consumers are buying organic wines. Today, the organic vineyard surface in the EU is twice as large as it was 10 years ago. Demand for organic wine is likely to soon outstrip
Some people see red when they hear someone say “added yeast”. But that does not prevent most wine producers from choosing cultivated (selected) yeast over wild yeast. There are over 200 varieties of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
It was expected. The strange thing is that it didn’t happen until now. Prosecco producers are now authorized to make prosecco rosé. Something many have long waited for. A prosecco rosé is made by adding
After having worked for 16 years in France, winemaker Jenny Dobson returned to New Zealand in 1996. Her home country was at the time slowly changing from being only a country of sheep and rugby
The best or the most practical terroir? The world’s classic wines come from places, usually in France, which have been praised for so long that it is difficult to say if the first vines were
Time for Pinotage to come out of the closet? The apple never falls far from the tree. Well, sometimes it does. For, to be honest, does pinotage really resemble its parents, pinot noir and cinsault?
Criolla is the collective name of the grapes in South America that were either brought here as seeds or cuttings by the Spaniards in the 17th century or which are the result of spontaneous crossings
What does it really cost to convert to organic farming? It is sometimes said that “certification is expensive so the producer X works organically but does not certify”. That’s not correct. The certification is a
New Zealand is through with being the new kid of the block. Which is totally natural. They have nothing to prove anymore. Their wines (at least many of them) are world-class and as interesting as
Local grape varieties can be a strong point for wine countries. The wine enthusiast is more and more looking for the unusual and the unknown. Moldova, in the easternmost part of Europe, is in many
Sometimes people at wine tastings try and impress with opinions like “this wine tastes as if it has been in an egg-shaped concrete tank”, “this must have been kept in a stainless steel tank”, “you
Birds munching on ripe grapes can be a big problem in the vineyards. We have seen it in New Zealand and South Africa; it occurs
Wild yeast or cultivated yeast? That is the eternal question right now, or at least one can get that impression in certain discussions. It seems
Pinot noir has a reputation for being a difficult grape, yet it is found in many places around the world. Maybe the grape isn’t so
What is natural wine? Are there rules? Is it good or weird? The concept of natural wine has emerged in recent years. It has been
A reader of our Brief had seen an advertisement for a sparkling wine called Bubbly Rosé which was sealed with a regular crown cap (old
Being biodynamic is not the same as being organic, even though they have many things in common. Only a tiny proportion of organic growers are
Organic wine is becoming increasingly popular. Many consumers look for it and many producers convert to become organic. But what is it really, organic wine?
Merlot is something of a chameleon. All grapes are, of course, in one way or another. But sometimes it’s more noticeable, as with merlot. Château
Although organic farming is increasing, it is still what we call conventional agriculture that dominates, where you can use synthetic chemical products. Therefore, organic producers
Chardonnay is grown all over the world. It can handle many kinds of climate and soil types. It is often oak aged but not always.
Almost all of the world’s most popular quality grape varieties have spread around the globe. But in the world’s top ten list of most planted
A versatile grape variety that has survived multiple crises, with the world’s second largest white plantings Chardonnay has survived trends and fashion. Maybe you remember
We often hear organic wine growers saying that the organic way of thinking should continue in the cellar. But what does that mean? The rules
A tasting of syrah from four countries France and Australia are the two major countries producing syrah (or shiraz). But the grape is grown in
Advantages and difficulties of farming organically The environmental debate is not a black-and-white issue. Organic growers inspire conventional and sustainable winegrowers. Non-organic growers use many
Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in virtually all wine countries around the world. It is the world’s most popular – most planted – grape variety. The
Syrah is the fourth most planted red grape in the world after cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and tempranillo. Syrah is found on almost 190,000 hectares across
It’s great to have access to all this wine information… But watch out! Most things we want to know about today, we can google in
Cabernet Sauvignon is now the grape variety with the biggest acreage in the world Cabernet Sauvignon has long been responsible for some of the world’s
More and more consumers are buying organic wines. Today, the organic vineyard surface in the EU is twice as large as it was 10 years
Some people see red when they hear someone say “added yeast”. But that does not prevent most wine producers from choosing cultivated (selected) yeast over
It was expected. The strange thing is that it didn’t happen until now. Prosecco producers are now authorized to make prosecco rosé. Something many have
After having worked for 16 years in France, winemaker Jenny Dobson returned to New Zealand in 1996. Her home country was at the time slowly
The best or the most practical terroir? The world’s classic wines come from places, usually in France, which have been praised for so long that
Time for Pinotage to come out of the closet? The apple never falls far from the tree. Well, sometimes it does. For, to be honest,
Criolla is the collective name of the grapes in South America that were either brought here as seeds or cuttings by the Spaniards in the
What does it really cost to convert to organic farming? It is sometimes said that “certification is expensive so the producer X works organically but
New Zealand is through with being the new kid of the block. Which is totally natural. They have nothing to prove anymore. Their wines (at
Local grape varieties can be a strong point for wine countries. The wine enthusiast is more and more looking for the unusual and the unknown.
Sometimes people at wine tastings try and impress with opinions like “this wine tastes as if it has been in an egg-shaped concrete tank”, “this
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