Insights

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.

Russian stock exchange sends a message to the wine world

Shares of Russian alcohol companies rose on news of the introduction of a lockdown from 28 October. What other factors could be behind the volatility in the Russian market? Meininger investigates.

Mixing it up in Italy

Robert Joseph discovers a trio of wines at Vinitaly Special Edition that make him rethink his position.

Romania, South Africa and Spain increase bulk exports to Germany, while Italy, Chile and the US all lose sales.

No other country now imports more wine than Germany. In this market overview, using data from the World Bulk Wine Fair’s Bulk Wine Club we analyse where most of that wine comes from – and the broad range of prices between producing countries.

Italian wine production: the state of play in October 2021

In Italy, where so much buying and selling of grapes and bulk wine takes place every year, the 25 leading wine brokers have a unique insight into production and market trends. Veronika Crecelius of Weinwirtschaft magazine talks to Andrea Verlicchi president of Med.&A, the association that brings together these businesses to discover the impact the 2021 vintage is likely to have on the availability and prices of some of the most popular styles of wine.

Dressed-down Vinitaly

Robert Joseph visits Vinitaly 'Special Edition' and discovers a very different atmosphere to the Vinitaly events he is used to.