Wine

February 4th Newsletter

Gift boxes for Bordeaux, a 70 year-old Australian wine retailer being repackaged as the Greatest Showman, Greece's top white grape and the Polish wine market. Just a few of the stories in this week's newsletter, introduced by editor at large, Robert Joseph

Becky Wasserman – A lengthy and entirely personal tribute

Robert Joseph, who worked for Becky Wasserman over two years in the early 1980s adds his reflections to the many tributes that have been paid to this Burgundian pioneer

Boomerang bottles: Are wine refillables next?

Because fewer glass containers are being recycled, entrepreneurs re-examine an old idea – reusable glass bottles – to increase wine industry sustainability. Roger Morris looks for the genie in the bottle.

The story behind: Marqués de Murrieta

How the well-known Spanish brand has developed.

Overcoming the crisis

The French wine industry has been hit hard in recent months. Climate change is exacerbating the situation. The structure of the cooperatives is sustainable, but the call for reforms is growing. Iris Trenkner-Panwitz reports.

The story behind: Kloster Eberbach

How Germany's largest winery developed.

After the flood

The Ahr Valley is hardly recognizable after the flood. Residents and winegrowers are cleaning up with the support of many volunteers and looking ahead. Solidarity and support also come from the trade. Simon Werner was on site.

Pleasure without remorse: The best non-alcoholic wines

Non-alcoholic beverages are in vogue. Wine without alcohol is becoming increasingly important in this growth segment. More and more de-alcoholised wines are coming onto the market. The quality of the products is steadily increasing. Germany's renowned wine trade magazine WEINWIRTSCHAFT has tested more than 160 non-alcoholic wines in the largest tasting to date. 

The story behind: Chateau Ste. Michelle

How a dairy farm became a modern wine company.

Sommeliers’ dilemma: return to floor or new career?

As America’s restaurants fully reopen, sommeliers who lost jobs are now making critical career choices. Roger Morris has asked around in the US.

Constellation on the German market and its future focus 

Constellation Brands is the second-largest wine company in the world and has been consistently focused on the "super-premium" segment for some time. Where is the US wine giant headed? An interview with the responsible key managers.

Analogue – Dialogue

Finally, in-person trade fairs are returning! Messe Düsseldorf is in the starting phase of gearing up for the upcoming presence events. Successful trade fairs in Asia have helped the Rhinelanders and, after two years, ProWein will also be back in the race at the end of March 2022.

Bastian Mingers is the experienced trade fair professional at the helm of ProWein and he has a competent trade fair team behind him. We wanted to find out first-hand how ProWein is approaching the new start and what exhibitors and visitors can expect. 

NFTs and fine wine – the ultimate pairing? 

Blockchain technology’s future in wine becoming more widespread. Will it last?

Kimberly Webb about the future of fine wine collecting.

Optimistic view of the future

Interview with Dr Andreas Brokemper, spokesman for the management of Henkell Freixenet.

The evolution of Mendoza Malbec

The Argentine wine industry is going through a good phase. Thanks to the country's most famous grape variety Malbec. Daniel Lopez Roca reports how the variety has evolved.