Days before a US jury acquitted Tom Barrack, ex head of Colony Capital, former owners of Château Lascomes, of illegal foreign lobbying charges, the Margaux estate was acquired by another American, Gaylon Lawrence of  Lawrence Wine Estates. This is only the latest episode in the long, checkered history of a 2nd growth chateau that has had many memorable owners, none of whom have kept it for long.

Reading time: 7m 15s

A winery in Romania, home to Dracula, was pleased to receive an order from the US owner of a brand called Vampire. When they subsequently tried to sell other brands of their own such as Bloody Merlot, referencing the same myth, they came up against a litigious US system that proved very costly. W. Blake Gray offers valuable advice for would-be exporter to this enticing market.

Reading time: 6m 45s

Rosé wines are enjoying an extraordinary boom, but they are still struggling to command premium prices. But, as Roger Morris discovers, this situation is starting to change.

Reading time: 7m

The dispute over the Basque part of Rioja, the "Rioja Alavesa", continues following the Basque regional government approval of the DO "Arabako Mahastiak - Viñedos de Álava". The Basques have a strong argument: higher quality standards.

Reading time: 1m 30s

Traceability is a term that is increasingly used, along with the assertion that "consumers want to know where stuff comes from." A New Zealand company is using technology familiar from TV police forensic programmes to help a super premium wine estate to give assurance about the provenance of its wines.

• New Zealand firm, Oritain, is partnering with a super-premium winery in using forensic technology and QR codes to guarantee traceability of its single vineyard wines
• The process, pioneered with products such as cotton, meat and apples, involves analysis of trace elements and isotopes in soil, grape and wine
• Because these do not degenerate over time, the traceability remains effective throughout the life of the wine
• The Oritain system does not rely on blockchain or RFTs but does not yet guarantee authenticity of individual bottles

Reading time: 3m 30s

Scandinavia’s five alcohol monopolies have launched a joint program to combat climate change. Petri Pellinen considers its practicality.

Reading time: 12m

Has Barolo gone out of fashion? For our sister publication WEINWIRTSCHAFT it is clear after this tasting that the Piedmontese classic has lost none of its relevance. Clemens Gerke exalts the wines.

Reading time: 4m

Barolo has neither image nor sales problems. The only issue is that the bulk wine market is still too large and the vineyards are too expensive. Veronika Crecelius reports.

Reading time: 4m 15s

Switzerland is the dream sales market for many producers, as the Swiss with their purchasing power pay significantly more francs per bottle than consumers elsewhere. An overview of the market.

Reading time: 1m 15s