Italy has a rich and diverse history of winemaking, old vines and traditional grape varieties that contribute to the country's ancient wine culture, which has evolved throughout the centuries.  

A History of innovation There’s a long history of innovation in Bordeaux; introducing topping up and sulphur to produce the ‘New French Claret’ in the 17th century, solving Mildew with the Bordeaux mixture in 1878 to the introduction of stainless steel in the 1960’s, when Château Haut Brion was accused by its peers for producing wine made in a dairy!

In 2024 Wine Scholar Guild proudly announced the Albert Sheen Memorial Scholarship in memory of our dear friend and dedicated wine traveler, Albert Sheen. The scholarship application invited applicants to discuss the challenges of climate change in Bourgogne. We received a number of truly exceptional submissions and thank all our participants for their in-depth essays and perspectives. The selection committee has selected Marek Zelewski and is pleased to share his winning essay below. Marek has been awarded a seat on our upcoming Bourgogne Masters Immersion taking place in May 2024. Albert would have been honored to witness the positive energy and enthusiasm that this scholarship has ignited. A medium-acidity, off-dry, full-bodied white with aromas of baked yellow apple, starfruit, mango and ripe pineapple, pronounced notes of lemon curd, vanilla and pie crust, paired with elevated alcohol lingering on the palate. While it sounds delicious if one’s looking for a fun wine substitute for a tiki cocktail, hardly anybody would place this Chardonnay on the map anywhere close to Burgundy. However, given the predicted increase in its average temperatures (1), fast forward to 2050 and it could well be a glass of Mâconnais. While certainly not great for those taking blind-testing exams, the consequences of climate change for the French wine industry will be way more far-reaching. 

Summary Spain has the largest area under vine of any country in the world, with around a third of vines planted prior to 1990, and centuries-old vines still producing fruit in many regions. But the last 30 years have seen many heritage vineyards grubbed up and replanted with higher yielding clones in areas that are easier to mechanize. This is added to the ongoing issue of rural depopulation, with elderly vine growers often retiring

WSG is proud be the first Educational Partner of The Old Vine Conference. Read more to find out how this dynamic non-profit organization is actively creating a global network of old-vine disciples while raising awareness through education.  The economic and social relevance of old vines is real, but the structure of the global wine industry stacks the odds against the regenerative commercial viability of old vines. The result is that healthy old vineyards of cultural resonance and unique qualitative potential are lost because they can’t be made to pay.  The Old Vine Conference is a non-profit organisation whose aim is to bring together a global network to create a new category for wine from heritage vineyards. The Old Vine Conference works to safeguard old vines of cultural and ecological value by connecting, educating and inspiring the global wine industry through conferences, research, partnerships, tastings and fieldtrips.

Summary Join us for this very special event celebrating the launch of one of the most important new additions to the world of educational wine books. WSG is thrilled to welcome author and award-winning sommelière, Pascaline Lepeltier, in conversation with wine journalist Christina Rasmussen. Pascaline will share some of the

Description: Building on last year’s inspiring introduction to regenerative viticulture with Justin Howard-Sneyd MW, this session looks deeper into the practicalities of regenerative approaches in the vineyards of France, Italy and Spain. Becky Sykes, Programme Director at the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation, will lead this exploration into how these innovative practices are reshaping the future of

WSG is proud be the first Educational Partner of The Old Vine Conference. Read more to find out how this dynamic non-profit organization is actively creating a global network of old-vine disciples while raising awareness through education. 

WSG is proud be the first Educational Partner of The Old Vine Conference. Read more to find out how this dynamic non-profit organization is actively creating a global network of old-vine disciples while raising awareness through education. 

Summary: Bourgogne is evolving, with viticulture at the forefront of the change. Growers are confronted with climate change, characterized by shorter growing seasons, higher temperatures, increased sunlight, and drought incidents. In addition, an increasing number of producers are embracing a more considerate viticulture prioritizing plant and soil health, in an effort to increase vineyard longevity, sustainability, and overall wine quality. In this webinar we will explore