France confirms historically low 2025 wine harvest and $150M vine uprooting plan to restructure the industry. The French Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed that 2025 production has hit historic lows, exacerbated by a massive government-funded "grubbing-up" program.

While merchant confidence has declined across the fine wine industry, the confidence score among auction houses actually increased by 21.4% in 2025, signaling long-term conviction in collectable assets.

The Champagne market is adapting to a complex economic climate, having recorded a -12% decrease in average price over the last three years, a decline less severe than that of Burgundy and Bordeaux, according to a new December 2025 report.

A new international study confirms that European vineyards have been the most affected globally by climate change since 1950, primarily due to extreme temperature increases that are highly challenging for established regions.

The Chavost wine estate represents a forward-thinking generation of Grower Champagne producers who emphasize pure, unmanipulated expression of the grape and the terroir. Located in the village of Chavot-Courcourt in the heart of the Vallée de la Marne, this house is gaining recognition for its commitment to natural winemaking and its focus on single-parcel and single-grape expressions.

The Héritage Blanc de Blancs OWC NV cuvée represents the pinnacle of historical craftsmanship at Champagne Pierre Péters. It was created as a single-edition release to celebrate the estate's centenary (1919–2019) and is, quite literally, a living reserve that embodies the family’s history.

The 2012 vintage marked the genesis of one of the most intriguing cuvées in the Pierre Péters range: the Les Montjolys Cuvée Spéciale Blanc de Blancs Brut. This release was the very first to be composed entirely of Chardonnay grapes from the eponymous lieu-dit (single vineyard plot) located in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger.

The Champagne House Pierre Péters has firmly established itself as a benchmark producer of Blanc de Blancs in the region, showcasing exceptional expertise in working with the Chardonnay grape. Located in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, the House specializes exclusively in wines made from white grapes harvested from its own Grand Cru parcels.

Jean-Pierre Robinot is a legendary figure in the world of natural wine, recognized globally for his uncompromising, zero-sulphur approach and his devotion to the distinct terroirs of the Loire Valley, specifically the Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir areas near Chahaignes. A true pioneer, Robinot’s journey began not in the vineyards, but as a crucial player in legitimizing the natural wine movement in Paris.

In Champagne, where many historic names have long been absorbed by global groups, Billecart-Salmon stands apart — a house that has remained family-owned and defiantly independent for more than two centuries.

At Symbolicwines.com we are very proud to export Dalla Valle wines.  In this conversation, Maya and Naoko share their views on stewardship, intuition, and the evolving character of Napa Valley.

We’re incredibly fortunate to have sat down with Scott Becker, the co-founder and visionary behind Realm Cellars, whose leadership has helped shape not only the winery but the very conversation around modern Californian winemaking. We're proud to share this exclusive interview. 

A deep dive into the unexpected excellence of Japanese winemaking, beginning in Hokkaido. This sommelier report features tasting notes from the insider-favorite French Panda wine bar in Sapporo, highlighting unique expressions of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Zweigelt from cutting-edge producers like Kamisato Vineyard, Domaine Mont, Takahiko Soga, and Domaine Bless.

An experienced sommelier cuts through the Grower Champagne hype to define the true essence of complexity in the region. Featuring a deep analysis of the factors that matter—barrel fermentation, long lees aging, and reserve wine—and a review of the legendary cuvée L’Étonnant Monsieur Victor MK.11 from Rodolphe Péters of Le Mesnil sur Oger.

A sommelier’s essential guide to defining the "best" in winemaking: evaluating the influence of price, critical study, and expert opinion. The article features insights on master producers like Olivier Collin (Champagne), Jean-Yves Bizot (Burgundy), and Louis-Michel Liger-Belair (Pinot Noir aristocracy).

An explosive sommelier investigation into the character of winemakers and the quality of their wine, focusing on the highly-hyped German producer Tino Kuban. We blind-tasted his Pinot Noir L’Ouverture 2020 and Gamay La Leux 2021, comparing them to classics and asking: is his fame driven by PR and hype or true terroir? Featuring a tasting with the team from Gresca Bar in Barcelona.

A truly collectible wine is not just about origin or score — it’s about how well you preserve it. Below are five facts every collector should remember before storing another bottle.

For collectors of premium European and American wines, understanding how retail release prices differ from auction results can determine whether your cellar appreciates in value or quietly loses potential. Here are five essential facts to guide your strategy.

Whether punched from ancient bark or spun in a lab, the cork is more than a plug—it’s part of the wine’s identity.

Terroir is wine’s ultimate storyteller. It speaks in the minerality of a Chablis, the savory spice of a Syrah from the Northern Rhône, or the ocean-kissed salinity of a coastal Chardonnay.

Why do some wines have a creamy texture and buttery taste, while others are sharp? The secret lies in malolactic fermentation – the conversion of sharp malic acid into soft lactic acid. It smooths out the profile of the wine and gives it a creamy, buttery flavor. Here’s what you need to know about malolactic.

Rose wine may be very different – from deep-coloured and full-bodied, to light and pale. It all depends on the winemaking process. Let’s look at rose from a winemaker’s point of view.

The northern and southern Rhône are like twin sisters—similar yet completely different. It would take long to understand them both, but we've created a clear guide so you'll never confuse them again. 

This history of winemaking is probably one of the youngest but also it’s the most exciting one. From the first missionaries and gold miners to Robert Parker and TikTok bloggers – this article features all the key moments of California wine history. 

While many white grapes are defined by a single, predictable character, Chenin Blanc is the ultimate chameleon of the wine world, a variety capable of expressing every vinous emotion from bone-dry tension to honeyed decadence. In the cool, northern fringes of the Loire Valley, this grape finds its most radical and luminous expression through a winemaking process that prioritizes elemental purity and the agonizingly slow passage of time.

The Pineau d'Aunis grape is enjoying a dramatic resurgence, championed by pioneering natural winemakers like Jean-Pierre Robinot. Once a dominant red grape in the Loire Valley, Pineau d'Aunis faded into obscurity but is now celebrated by sommeliers and collectors for its unique structural profile, signature white pepper notes, and vibrant acidity.

Merlot has earned its place in the pantheon of great grapes. The most famous Merlots hail from Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, such as the legendary Château Pétrus.

Sauvignon Blanc is the most prominent and famous aromatic white variety. It’s origin is in Loire and Bordeaux but it found a new home all across the world, showing many kinds of aromatic profiles depending on the terroir and the winemaker’s techniques.

The 2025 vintage is being hailed by the Union des Grands Crus (UGCB) as "brilliant," but for collectors, it is a year of historic scarcity and radical classification shifts. 2025 Bordeaux En Primeur watchlist focusing on historic yield lows, Château Lafleur's move to Vin de France, and new Médoc Blanc AOC status.

The Champagne market is experiencing a structural shift in consumer preferences, with buyers increasingly moving away from traditionally dominant Grande Marque brands toward Grower Champagnes and premium local sparkling alternatives. This change is redefining what consumers value in their festive purchases, prioritizing unique terroir and quality-to-price ratio.

Château Mouton Rothschild continues its celebrated tradition of commissioning original art for its labels, naming Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos as the creator for the 2023 vintage. Titled "Paraíso" (Paradise in Portuguese), the work marks the first time ever a Portuguese artist has illustrated the prestigious Pauillac First Growth label.

Climate change continues to be the dominant long-term factor reshaping the European fine wine landscape, leading to earlier harvests, higher sugar levels, and regional adjustments in vineyard management and varietal choices. Recent data emphasizes the ongoing pressure on classic cool-climate areas and the increasing suitability of previously marginal regions.

Welcome to this neat little somm knowledge quiz! Whether you're a MS, an enthusiast, or simply curious about the fascinating world of wine, this quiz is going to be fun! On Symbolicwines.com we try to educate and entertain at the same time.

We made this quiz for those whose knowledge is more than just tannins and acidity. Check if you’re a beginner, intermediate, advanced or expert!