The Wineparty
When the leading “winemaker” is a luminary, his succession at a winery also raises the question of how it should continue after him. Opus One winemaking icon Michael Silacci is retiring in 2027. Gerhard Retter joined Wineparty for his final harvest.
No sympathy in the wine crisis. Winemakers cannot expect that in the wine crisis. Instead, in the forums of conservative to centre-left liberal media, we unanimously read the accusation: a well-deserved crisis because of wines that are too expensive.
This wine crisis following the unprecedented wine hype of the last 40 years will not simply pass. Yet no one seems to recognise the extent of the decline. Or want to stop it.
The Markgräflerland and Alsace lie just a ridiculously few kilometres apart. And yet wine culture on both sides is completely different. We visited two winegrowers.
A vineyard in Bolivia, planted by the brutally ruling Spanish colonial masters, of all people. Today, varieties we have never heard of grow there, in exceptionally nature-oriented viticulture. It is time to discover them.
Human-induced climate change is controversial – especially among supporters of a particular parliamentary party. But winegrowers know: the grapes bear loud witness to its existence. Gerhard Retter on the shift in harvest months that is here to stay
(Dr Maximilian Schüttky / Manfred Klimek / Editorial team / Pic: Manfred Klimek) The wine world has now understood that it is in a crisis. What it has not yet understood: crises also pass. Afterwards, however, you do not automatically find yourself back where you were before. If the current development actually affects 30 or 40 per cent of the Read the full article…
(Claude Auguste / Pic: Massa) In Piedmont, there is an abundance of famous wine and famous grape varieties: Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo – big names, high prices, large and small cellars, and an international clientele that has learned over decades that some of Europe’s most significant red wines come from this region. Right there, something is currently happening that is important for the future Read the full article…
(Leo Quarda / pic: Manfred Klimek) Whenever time allows, sometimes simply when everything in Vienna annoys me, I get on a plane and fly to Cyprus. Meeting friends, sitting on the terrace, living differently for a few days, and there are almost always a few bottles of wine in my luggage. Not that it Read the full article…
(Gerhard Ziegler / pic: historical archive) An evening on a terrace in Larnaca. Leo pours something red, the wine fizzes slightly, smells clean, fresh and rather seductive; I guess Italy and am at least not completely wrong, although I am wrong about everything else. After several failed attempts, Leo grins and reveals the answer: Lambrusco. This surprises me more than it Read the full article…
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