Insights

The impatient, disloyal customer

A study shows that customers tend to switch brands quickly once they were unable to purchase a product. What does this mean for the wine industry? Robert Joseph shares his thoughts.

UK wine drinkers face a different kind of Christmas 

Pandemic-linked supply chain issues affect most business across the globe, but Brexit has increased challenges for wine distributors and consumers in the UK. 

Fine wine is increasingly the preserve of the wealthy. Who cares?

The world’s best wines have become increasingly unaffordable for any but the one-percenters. Robert Joseph asks whether this matters. And if it does, is there a solution?

Turning Point for US Sommeliers?

Six of its leading members have been expelled from the Court of Master Sommeliers for sexual misconduct. Does this mark the end of a chapter? Or the beginning of the end for the Court? Robert Joseph reports.

Male, Female or Nonbinary? Who's gendering wine?

Can or should a wine be 'masculine' or 'feminine' or even 'non binary'? Robert Joseph steps into the minefield of wine descriptors and categories.

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Prosecco and Pinot Grigio: all in short supply

Leading brokers, Ciatti, report some specific shortages following the small 2021 European crop, and the direct impact of supply-chain issues on the forthcoming harvest in Chile.

"The quality of the bulk wines on offer has grown"

On November 22nd and 23rd, the World Bulk Wine exhibition, the world's largest bulk wine event, will take place in Amsterdam. Meininger's talked to the exhibition's CEO Otilia Romero de Condés about what she expects of this year's fair and how the bulk wine market has developped.

WTAF – Canned Wine and Four-Letter-Words

For some people, the idea of wine in a can is offensive. The same is true for the casual use of profane language. Robert Joseph happily defends their recent coming together.

Smaller wine bottles – their time has come

Nobody thinks it strange to see or buy caviar in a wide range of sizes. Robert Joseph wonders why, in an age of wine-in-moderation and $200 bottles of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Napa red, half bottles and single-serves are still the underclass of the wine world.

Sparkling globally. An in depth interview with Dr Andreas Brokemper, CEO of Henkell-Freixenet

Since the turn of the century, Germany’s Henkell group has changed and grown dramatically. Following the acquisition of the Mionetto Prosecco brand, the UK-developed global i heart brand, and the purchase of 50.7% of Freixenet in Spain, turnover has broken through the €1bn barrier.

Dr Hermann Pilz, editor in chief of Weinwirtschaft and Robert Joseph, editor at large of Meininger’s Wine Business International spoke to Dr Andreas Brokemper, CEO since 2013 of the company now known as Henkell-Freixenet.

Like it or not, vineyard automation is coming

This week, the well-respected English winemaker Charles Palmer posted a video and a brief description of his experience of machine harvesting. Inevitably, not all of the reaction was positive. Robert Joseph was prompted to offer a few thoughts of his own.

Lighten Up – How to Bury the Heavy Wine Bottle

As world leaders – or most of them – gather in Glasgow for COP26, the wine industry is being encouraged to sign a petition against weighty wine bottles. While welcoming the initiative, Robert Joseph wonders if this the best way to save the planet.

How much is too much? A comparative look at recommended weekly alcohol intake across the world 

Alcohol limits vary greatly by country and by gender. David Morrison takes a fascinating look at the data.

Cheaper Champagne, pricier Pinot Grigio and maybe a battle with the EU as UK revolutionises its wine tax regime

For the first time in 140 years, the British government is changing the way it taxes alcohol. This could have an impact beyond the shores of the United Kingdom. Robert Joseph reports.

Mixed feelings in Bordeaux

The owner of one St Emilion chateau has to pay a fine, while another does not. Robert Joseph considers this latest storm-in-a-wineglass.