Ulrich Willmes The Press as a “Quality Gate” Ten Practical Rules for Preserving the Grapes’ Potential in the Must The press is the critical juncture between vineyard and cellar. It is where it becomes clear how much of the grapes’ quality potential actually reaches the must. Anyone seeking to work in the premium segment with as few corrective interventions and additives as possible—and anyone aiming to produce wine as cost-effectively as possible—must plan precisely before the first pressure stage. Pressing Does Not Begin in the Press House Pressing is not an isolated machine operation. The condition of the grapes, harvest timing, outdoor temperature, weather, transport containers, waiting time, and route to the press collectively determine the quality that can ultimately be extracted. Even a good press cannot turn damaged, overheated, or microbiologically compromised grapes back into intact fruit. The most important practical consequence is this: The vineyard, harvest logis

The LiOX by Diam closure has been awarded the Innovation Prize at the VITeff 2025 trade fair in the “Technological Innovation – Process, Products and Consumables” category. This award recognizes a high-precision enological solution designed to meet the contemporary challenges of ageing sparkling wines. An innovation emerging from consultation with the Champagne industry LiOX by Diam embodies a collaborative and scientific approach to innovation that has been developed following extensive consultation, not only with cellar masters and independent winegrowers, but also with the Champagne Committee on the enological requirements for closures. This dialogue with industry stakeholders has resulted in the design of a closure that meets the specific enological requirements of sparkling wines, while incorporating the latest advances in oxygen management. “Oxygen control has become a key parameter in modern winemaking management in order to create consistent wines with a pr

Afternoon Brief: Vinarchy - A New Global Wine Company

Vinarchy combines the assets of wholly-owned Accolade Wines with the Australian, New Zealand and Spanish wine businesses formerly owned by Pernod Ricard, which were acquired by AWL in April 2025...

Each month, the packaging and materials part of the market becomes increasingly challenging to predict due to the erratic implementation of tariffs and ensuing trade wars. That being said, both the threat and actual application of tariffs have cascading implications for wine and spirits sales of finished goods and all the components. The US government enforced 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, effective March 4, 2025. The administration rowed back somewhat on March 6, postponing until April 2 tariffs on all products imported from Canada and Mexico covered by the USMCA. However, a 10% duty on Canadian energy will likely remain in place. Additionally, the administration pressed ahead with 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imported into the US, effective March 12, arguing it will help level the playing field for US manufacturing. Unfortunately, this will likely have profound implications for the cost of goods of many products including – most pertinently for our ind

Today's #winebiz news for #wineindustry professionals...  Finally, Some Good News About Smoke Taint Smoke taint is a scourge that can ruin a harvest. But as Jeff Siegel discovers, research has unlocked some answers...

First Monarch Electric Tractor Arrives at Oregon Vineyard

Nicolas-Jay is the first winery in Oregon to receive an electric tractor Newberg, Oregon (December 14, 2023) — In a landmark moment for sustainable agriculture and viticulture, the first Monarch tractor has […]

Afternoon Brief, November 21st

Angry French Winemakers Plan Mass Protest in Narbonne: Tension has been running high in southern France and winemakers are planning a major protest in Narbonne later this month over a crisis facing the industry...

Champagne Billecart-Salmon Launches Nicolas François 2008

The exceptional instinct of Maison Billecart-Salmon  shines through the 2008 vintage of prestige cuvée  April 18th – This timeless cuvée has existed since 1964 and pays tribute to the founder […]