Sustainability in wine is finally gaining attention around the world. Vineyards and what happens in them are so integral to the way we look at a wine, from quality to style, that the focus on sustainability has naturally had its stronghold there. How...
Australia has a harsh climate; our national anthem speaks of ‘droughts and flooding plains’. However, the grape vine is resilient. To sustain a viable industry in the face of a changing climate, the focus needs to be matching grape variet...
How would you feel about uncorking a Grenache from Gevrey-Chambertain or Marsanne from Meursault? Or would you rather start the evening with a Swedish sparkling wine? Global warming is expected to do quite a number on the agricultural regions of the ...
Another week of fermentation had passed and the wine started to present some off-aromas... must act quickly! This the last part of the 'Winemaker For a Harvest' series, where Erica Löfving, Vintec Club Expert, spent a month in the heart of Sonom...
After overcoming challenges with natural fermentation of her Petit Syrah batch, Erica proceeds to the next step of winemaking: it's time to get juicing! This is part 4 of the 'Winemaker For A Harvest' series where Erica Löfving takes on the chal...
Harvest is done! Now we are tree days into fermentation without any additives and... grapes are no where close to fermenting. The situation is critical: Does Erica succumb to adding yeast or stick to "no intervention" philosophy and figure out some o...
After initial decision on what grape variety to chose, Erica returns to Sonoma for the harvest season. Between hard work on the field and heated winemaking philosophy discussions, she considers the risk of taking a more "natural" path. This is part 2...
What happens when a wine writer jumps to the other side of the fence and becomes a winemaker? That's when theory meets reality and previously set views on winemaking practices are challenged. Erica Löfving, recounts her experience as a winemaker...
I have wine industry colleagues who roll their eyes at biodynamic wine-growing because of the eccentric practices it requires. But what is it actually and does it work? Let's dive into it.