Key Topics This Year:
When Wind is your Terroir
Wind is the least understood climatic factor for wine production, and in a warming world the "natural air-conditioner" is of crucial importance for wine regions right around Planet Wine. Indeed, in some places wind that was long regarded as a problem for the vines is now seen as a blessing for them.
Famous wine winds and how they’re changing
For growers around the world, the personality of significant winds such as Mistral, Sirocco, Zonda and Cape Doctor represent a crucial factor in shaping the signature of the wines, as well as practices in the vineyard.
Blowin’ in the Wind - the grapes of (climate) change
It’s not only vines that are affected by wind in the vineyards, in many cases the fruit is as well. Physiological changes to the shoots and clusters are reshaping the character of certain varieties, adding color, structure and even ripeness that wasn’t there before. As erratic winds become more frequent and powerful, are traditional regions ready to weather the stylistic changes that will bring with it?
The New East: Europe and The Caucuses
The countries of Eastern Europe and the Caucuses share a communist past marked by standardized production methods and a lack of diversity. As winemaking there improves and wine styles are fine-tuned to 21st century wine markets a wonderful diversity of grape varieties, regions, aromas and flavors is emerging.
