Learning about wine
Should I go for Master of Wine?
At the end of April, the time had come: the Master of Wine introductory course in Germany. It had to happen sometime. Somewhere in the past ten years, the seed was planted. Master of Wine, the ultimate goal. It always...
What you didn't know about Ribera del Duero
Winemaking in Ribera del Duero dates back to the Middle Ages. Rules for wine production were established as early as 1295. The modern era, however, began in 1859, when Eloy Lecanda founded the estate in Valbuena del Duero that would...
Wine FAQ: What exactly does grand cru mean?
The #wijnvraagbaak section answers your burning wine questions. Have a question? Let me know via email or Instagram. This time it's about grand cru . Yesterday I was talking to a group of students about Bordeaux. If that hits you...
Last summer, Albert and I visited the family estate Domaine Robert Sirugue in Vosne-Romanée, Burgundy. This otherwise rather dull village produces some of the most sought-after and expensive red wines in the world. But why are these wines so incredibly...
From Kabinett to Trockenbeerenauslese
German wine law is a specialized field. Perhaps you're familiar with French wine law. Each AOC prescribes a number of (sometimes numerous) rules. For example, if you want to label your bottle with Sancerre, you must comply with these rules....
In episode 133 of the podcast, we answered a listener's question: which wines are typical benchmarks? We started with white, and thirty episodes later, it's finally red's turn. Just in time. 😅 Here you will find quick links: Episode 133...
Flor, the magical layer of yeast
Anyone who's ever indulged in a copa de fino or a copa de manzanilla has probably heard of flor. The secret behind these sherries. But what exactly is it, and what does it do to sherry? Flor forms on the...
After attending Barcelona Wine Week, I saw a different side of Spain. Elegant Monastrell and Pinot Grigio-like Garnacha – who knew they existed? I knew these two grapes primarily as alcoholic wrecking balls, not as refined wines you can't get...
Do you already know these three winemakers from Andalusia?
Before the Sherry Educator Course I made a quick pit stop in Sanlúcar de Barrameda . Sanlúcar is the closest to the Atlantic Ocean, so the sherries here undergo a different aging process. No fino here, but manzanilla, often slightly lighter...
Yes, I am a Certified Sherry Educator
Anyone who's been following Le Club des Vins for a while knows I'm crazy about sherry. It all started during WSET4, when we had to write a case study on "The Rise and Fall and Rise of Sherry." Suddenly, I...
Dr Loosen and the Riesling Show
It's Friday evening and I'm ready for a Riesling masterclass from none other than Ernst Loosen – Erni to insiders – at Wijnhandel Peeters. Surprisingly, we start with Dr. Loosen, a Riesling specialist, with a Pinot Noir sparkling wine. It's...
6 podcast episodes you can't miss
For me, watching TV has actually fallen off the relaxation list. Occasionally, I watch a movie or a Netflix series, but lately I've hardly ever been in front of the TV. Instead, I listen to podcasts. I can do that...