The flavor of pear in wine

‘New’ is the second most popular word in any sales catalogue. (The first is ‘Free’.) We scribblers can’t resist it: it guarantees copy of one sort or another. Even in the slowly evolving world of wine, where the main ethos of the product is historical continuity, ‘new’ sells. To someone like me with a strong sense of history, not to mention conservative tastes, it can be a bit unsettling. It’s not really change that bothers me. There is always room for improvement. What can irritate me is change ...

Inflation and higher costs have led to questions in the UK and US in recent weeks about how much the trade can absorb before wine prices increase. Despite a recent freeze on duty tax, the UK Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has said it is concerned wine prices may rise in 2022 due to myriad factors, including higher costs, inflation and supply chain issues. The trade body sent a letter to government signed by 49 UK wine and spirits businesses last month, warning that ‘rising cost ...

It’s no secret that climate change is breaking records for heatwaves, frosts, fires, droughts, hail and wildfires. Their increasing frequency has left the wine world awash with initiatives, conferences, and research all concerning sustainable viticulture and its many facets: biodiversity, regenerative agriculture and the host of organic, biodynamic and sustainable labels or certifications they embody. More than simple posturing, many are concerned with the very real practicalities of saving wate ...