By Adam Lechmere

Opus One is part of that select club of wines that have true global cachet. This classic Bordeaux blend, produced from 139 acres (56.2ha) of some of the finest vine land in the Napa Valley, is only just over 30 years old, yet is sought after from Hamburg to Hong Kong.

It’s Germany’s largest selling wine brand and yet few Germans drink it. Wildly popular on the Danish borders, Black Tower moves twice as many bottles as its nearest rival, but has yet to repeat its own sales performance from the 1980s. In the face of so many paradoxes, what’s next for this venerable brand?

The venerable old lady of wine has seen it all: heady success, world renown and then public scorn and bargain basement hell. But Langguth’s overhaul of the the wine means it’s growing strongly once again.

Each issue our authors take a close look at two major international brands and ask what makes them tick and in which markets they're most successful - and why. This month we examine Bonterra, the organic wine from Brown-Forman, along with Taylor's LBV Port.

Champagne is the world's most sought-after sparkling and Dom Perignon is at the table of the Champagne league. But while the luxurious French bubbly has become a synonym for indulgence, quantities are limited - or are they? We also look at Mateus Rosé.

In this issue we take a look at three wines that are traded globally. Blossom Hill’s White Zinfandel was hard to find in some markets and has leadership in others. Two Oceans appeared not only in bottle but also in Bag-in-Box, while Santa Rita’s 120 Cabernet Sauvignon is widely distributed.