As the EU and Russia talk tough on economic sanctions, producers in many sectors are seeing their livelihoods threatened. But for wine and grape producers in Russia, the geopolitical tensions might create a bonanza. Eugene Gerden reports.
Consumers and judges in the United States appear to continue to prefer high alcohols in their wines, if recent Wine Spectator ratings are anything to go by. Some parts of the rest of the world are reacting against perceived higher levels of alcohol, perhaps because of health concerns related to consumption of alcohol. How do Australian winemakers feel about alcohol levels, and are they moderating their winemaking techniques to account for any new global trend towards lower levels?
The Centers for Disease Control have released a study showing that one in ten Americans is being adversely affected by alcohol. Jeff Siegel asks what this means for the wine industry.
As European harvests begin, bulk wine brokers are carefully monitoring weather and harvest levels. Italian wine broker Luigino Lazzaretto gives his view of the market.
Willi Klinger, the dynamic managing director of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board, had good news to deliver at the VieVinum wine fair in Vienna this June. He spoke to Felicity Carter.
The 34th London Wine Fair, held at London’s Kensington Olympia from 2 to 4 June, changed tack this year. Traditionally it has had an international appeal. This year organisers decided strategically to focus on the UK market. Stephen Quinn asked participants from four major wine-producing nations why they attended the fair, given the change of focus. Organisers said this year about 670 producers and importers showcased more than 12,500 wines.
Argentina, one of South America’s biggest economies, has had to grapple with reduced currency reserves and a current account deficit, which has had an impact throughout the economy. Daniel López Roca explains how it has affected the wine industry.
When Vinexpo Asia-Pacific opened its doors in Hong Kong, there were questions over whether it would be affected by the Chinese slowdown. Robert Joseph was there to take the temperature.
Wine funds would appear to be in trouble, after a dip in Bordeaux prices and a string of high-profile closures. Defenders say much depends on the fund. Sophie Kevany reports.
In February, Vinisud, the trade fair for Mediterranean wines, reconvened in Montpellier. Adam Lechmere took the opportunity to ask south of France producers about their experiences on the export markets. Their thoughtful insights are applicable to exporters everywhere.
An impending agreement with the EU is intended to push Ukrainian producers towards higher-quality production. But Eugene Gerden finds that the local wine industry is worried that they are going to be subject to competitive conditions they are not equipped to meet.
Phylloxera wiped out vineyards around the world at the end of the nineteenth century. International vineyard consultant Dr Richard Smart says vineyards are now seeing a much worse threat emerge – but one which is being ignored. He sounds the alarm on grapevine trunk diseases.
Tradition demands the participation of individuals who are dedicated to preserving it. For the Trentino winegrowers’ cooperative Mezzacorona, this involves safeguarding the indigenous grape varieties Teroldego and Marzemino, showcasing their qualities both as monovarietal wines and in blends.
