Welcome at Flying Wine Writer | Jan Rook

In 2003, the Weinviertel became the first Austrian wine-growing area to market typical wines of origin under the specific name of the region. This gave the Weinviertel DAC its pioneering role for wines with a clear identity and a typical taste profile. Read more...

Our Chilean correspondent Paula Pereira based in Santiago, reports about the big earthquake in Chile. More in English and Spanish: click here..

Thursday, February 25

South Africa overtakes France in UK wine market

Latest figures from market analysts AC Nielsen show sales of South African wines have overtaken French for the first time in the UK wine market (volume MAT to 23/01/10). South African wine sales grew 20 percent, by volume, to 12,270,000 9L cases, compared to a decline in French wine sales of 12 percent, to 12,266,000 9L cases; South Africa is now the fourth largest selling country for wine in the UK.

Tuesday, February 16

Israeli Antiquities authority workers are seen at a site where a 1400 year old wine press was found near the kibbutz of Hafetz Haim, central Israel, Monday, Feb. 15, 2010. Israeli archaeologists said Monday that they've discovered an unusually shaped 1,400-year-old wine press that was exceptionally large and advanced for its time. Source: www.npr.org.

Wednesday, February 10

The 2009 crush totaled 4,089,160 tons, up 11 percent from the 2008 crush of 3,673,858 tons. This is only the second time in 10 years that California’s crush has exceeded 4 million tons. Red wine varieties accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed, at 2,073,703 tons, up 24 percent from 2008. The 2009 white wine variety crush totaled 1,623,190 tons, up 21 percent from 2008. Tons crushed of raisin type varieties totaled 307,360, down 38 percent from 2008, and tons crushed of table type varieties totaled 84,907, down 49 percent from 2008. Read pdf report...

A leading British wine critic, Oz Clarke, has warned New Zealand pinot noir makers not to flood the British market with cut-price wine, which he says has happened with our sauvignon blancs. Oz Clarke said pinot noir may have only been in New Zealand for a generation or two, but the country's pinot winemakers could cement their position at the top of the wine world in the next decade if they learnt from the "sauvignon crisis". Read more...

Saturday, February 06

Chinese consumers “waking up” to imported wine – but find it difficult to understand

According to the Wine Intelligence China Landscape report 2010, the number of Chinese consumers who could afford to buy imported wine regularly will rise from around 23 million in 2010 to 80 million in 2025. Read more...

Wednesday, January 27

Ferran Adrià has announced he will be taking a sabbatical in 2012-2013 and that El Bulli will not be opening for either season. Read more...

Tuesday, January 26

Movement of Independent Vintners of Chile

The Movement of Independent Vintners is an association of small quality-oriented Chilean wineries started in June 2009. The wineries signed are: Bravado Wines, Clos Andino, Erasmo – Caliboro Reserve, Flaherty, Garage Wine Co., Gillmore, Hereu, I-Wines, Montsecano, Polkura, Rukumilla, Sigla, Tipaume, Von Siebenthal. Read more...

Friday, January 22

Austria’s 2009 Vintage - The Rule of 9 Series

It’s almost eerie – the 9 series! The legendary Austrian “9er” vintages certainly live up to their reputation even in the new millennium. It began in 1959 – the vintage that nature gave an outstanding performance in Austria (and in many other wine countries of Europe). Magnificent white wines and especially sweet wines are still living proof of the vintage’s legendary reputation. Read more...

Wednesday, January 13

Plane Crash Claims Life of Chilean Winemaker Diego García de la Huerta

Chile’s entire wine industry was shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic and untimely death of Diego García de la Huerta, 36, the manager and winemaker of Viña Sutil in the Colchagua Valley. Read more... See also, the photo impression about him and Viña Sutil in Colchagua, from our last visit in 2008.

Wednesday, January 13

Austrian Wine Wins in Times of Crisis

Over the past year, Austrian wine was very successful despite the economic crisis. In fact, the growth that defined the previous few years continued in 2009, especially in the food retail trade. Market shares increased further, culminating in an excellent result. While the total of exported Austrian goods decreased by almost a sixth in 2009, Austrian wine exports rose throughout the year, gaining market share especially in shrinking markets - even though, in general, lower priced products were sold in all price segments. Read more...

Sábado, 09 de Enero

Etiqueta Château Mouton Rothschild 2007

El escultor francés Bernar Venet diseñó la nueva etiqueta de Château Mouton Rothschild 2007. Nació el año 1941 en Château-Arnoux, Francia. Su trabajo abarca la escultura en muro, líneas y ángulos, arcos (como los que se aprecian en la etiqueta), líneas indeterminadas, entre otras actividades artísticas.

Monday, January 04

Argentina: The most important events of 2009

The crisis in September 2008 had large consequences for the wine sector. Lack of investment and financing, political conflicts and personalities marked this year. However, not all bad news, Argentine wines were relevant by their good price – quality relation. Read more...