ALL remains better
The COLUMN
In irregular intervals we write here about things and topics that are close to our heart. But also other people should have their say, as it happens. Just have a look!
Call for disorder! In support of our animals for the winter.
What do butterflies, spiders, wild bees, hedgehogs, toads, dormice, lizards and salamanders have in common? They all like to hibernate in our gardens and need framework conditions for this, which are in our hands. Yes, life goes on outside, even when the trees and bushes are bare, the flowers have retracted their heads and the meadows have been ...read more
Salmon farming. A critical look into the fishing nets.
Another deceptive photo. Also happy salmon in the wild have become rare, and there is a lot wrong with farming. The former luxury product has long been a mass product, the production is cruel to animals and has environmentally damaging effects. Anyone interested in the subject avoids eating it in view of the gruesome facts. September 2023 ...read more
Facts, figures and data on the dairy industry
The illustration is deceptive. Our milk and dairy products have long since ceased to come from happy cows on lush alpine meadows. Even those from organic farming in the supermarkets come from highly industrialised production - with somewhat better conditions for the animals. Happy cows, calves and bulls have become rare. You can still meet them on ...read more
Die Wirtshaustöchter (The Inn Daughters) at the Drosendorf lido in the Waldviertel region of Austria
Good friends we are, the journalist, author and farmer in the Weinviertel region Heidi Strobl and me. Besides our love for good food, regenerative agriculture, fine wines and healthy nature, we are united by our origins: we are Wirtshaustöchter (inn daugherts)! In summer, we celebrate our cooking premiere at the Drosendorf lido in the ...read more
Budding in our vineyards
If you wander through the vineyards at the moment, you can see the first tender leaves on the vines. Many of them already beautifully developed, others have yet to unfold from the buds. Like every year, this is a very special time for walkers – and for winegrowers. May 2023 ...read more
Private gardens as an important contribution to biodiversity
Garden owners have it good. Someone who can call a piece of land his or her own is privileged, can set up home there and do as he or she pleases. However, anyone who owns land, no matter how small, also bears responsibility. For the diversity of nature and the preservation of species. April 2023 Illustration by Márton Zsoldos , ...read more
Vitiforestry. Agroforestry for the viticulture.
The term "vitiforesty" is becoming increasingly important and it is time to take a closer look at it. This is an adaptation of the concept of "agroforestry" for viticulture. Yet combined agriculture and forestry is not a modern invention. Already our grandparents planted trees in the fields on their mixed farms. It was not until the middle of the ...read more
Bird feeding. What to bear in mind.
From 3 to 19 February, Gut Hardegg's big songbird count will take place again in cooperation with the Game Conservancy Germany and the British Wild Life Conservation Trust. An online bird training session was held in advance, here is a short extract on bird feeding. Everything else about bird identification and counting can be found in the ...read more
The Human Rights – to read up
In Austria, there are recurring political discussions about whether a revision of the human rights is necessary in order to do justice to the many asylum applications. However, concrete demands have not yet been made. At this point, it is therefore doubtful that these persons have ever read the human rights of the UN or the European Convention on ...read more
The benefits of animals in the vineyard
On many, mostly organic or biodynamic wineries, you can see animals in the vineyards more and more often. Sheep, goats, ducks, geese or even cows graze there between the vine rows. The impressive effects on soil and biodiversity can be seen after only a short time. October 2022 Quicktranslation with DeepL ...read more
Forest: elixir of life and remedy
On the train heading towards Lake Constance, the gaze lingers again and again on the passing forests. For the eyes, a pleasant change from working at a computer screen. And not only for the eyes! It has long been common knowledge that the forest has a beneficial effect on body and soul. What is new is the finding that even photos of forests have ...read more
Diversity of Raspberry Varieties & a fine raspberry ice cream recipe
Raspberry time! The fruits are blossoming and ripening in the gardens at the moment, and you can also snack on the red delicacies in the forests. These wild berries are smaller and much more aromatic than the cultivated ones. Which is why I did a little research. As with all old fruit kinds, there are many more varieties than we realise. ...read more
Good sun protection, bad sun protection
Jumping into cool water, probably the most delicious refreshment on hot days. Against the scorching sun on land, it is essential to apply sun protection. This is also done dutifully by countless people who jump into the sea, lakes, rivers and pools every day. Unfortunately, the lotions are washed off and remain in the water, where most of them ...read more
About our indirect water consumption through consumer goods
Approaching the oversized topic of water is a challenge. Where to start and how to narrow it down? An excessive demand! And yet a concern in times of increasing water shortages. Now the fine Austrian monthly magazine Datum came to my rescue with its focus on "Wasser unser" (Water Ours ). This is about the invisible litres of our water ...read more
Interview for the Circle of Wine Writers
The Circle of Wine Writers is the most prestigious international association of wine and spirits authors, writers, journalists, bloggers, broadcasters, photographers and educators. It is an honour to be accepted into this noble community. It is also an honour to be listed on the website among the Friends of the Circle , which I received in ...read more
Biodiversity in the vineyards
In spring, not only the trees blossom. Winegrowers who are concerned about the health of their vineyards and nature also let their vineyards blossom. About the benefits of biodiversity for viticulture and society. May 2022 Quicktranslation with DeepL https://www.guttler.org/de/produkte-im-detail/greenmanager-fuer-obst-und-weinbau ...read more
Sommelier Spotlight: Beatrice Bessi
In this fifth installment of our Sommelier Spotlight series, I speak with Beatrice Bessi who is the Head Sommelier of the Chiltern Firehouse in London. STEPHANIE ARTNER February 2022 Photo: Beatrice Bessi ...read more
Our vintner recommendation for the VieVinum
By clicking on this link you will find twelve highly recommendable Austrian winemakers and two groups vintner's associations who will finally have the opportunity to present their wines again at VieVinum. Furthermore, all stand numbers of the members of respekt-BIODYN and information about a joint event with Demeter. Let's go VieVinum! ...read more
The relevance of the climate targets for viticulture
Back in 2015, the United Nations defined seventeen Climate Targets. These " Sustainable Development Goals " (SDGs) serve to globally secure sustainable development on an economic, social and ecological level. Only now are they slowly becoming more widely known in Austria. This is also thanks to " ESG ", the corresponding approach of the financial ...read more
» Gute Sachen «« – Marlis' new indulgence boutique
Marlis Groß-Söchstl has fulfilled a dream. Originally a banker, she became passionate about sustainable food. On her travels, especially to Spain, Marlis got to know small producers of high-quality olive oils, spices and pickles, whose products she was determined to enjoy at home. In the meantime, she had also started her Master's degree in ...read more
Gardening and also houseplants are good for the soul
Have you ever wondered why older and often lonely people enjoy gardening so much, even when it is really physically demanding for them? Researchers have long since found the answer: Gardening is good for body and soul. Gardening stimulates creativity and helps with relaxation. It stimulates sensory perception, increases the ability to concentrate, ...read more
Sommelier Spotlight: Katja Scharnagl
In this fifth Sommelier Spotlight, I speak with Advanced Sommelière Katja Scharnagl in New York, one of the international figureheads of the Austrian sommelier scene. Katja is also my partner for our online tastings in the New York area. As an aspiring Master Sommelière, she tastes the wines of our winemakers together with her study group. ...read more
Best in class: Elaborated CO2 calculator for agriculture in UK
Companies must reduce their greenhouse gases by 40% by 2030 and become CO2e-neutral or even better CO2e-positive by 2040. To do this, they first have to know what quantities they emit and where. Until now, there was hardly any possibility for wineries in the German-speaking world to do this if they are not members of a corresponding association ...read more
Sommelier Spotlight: Simon Zimmermann
In this fourth installment of our Sommelier Spotlight series, I speak with Nordic Sommelier Champion, multiple Norwegian Sommelier Champion, and Head sommelier of Happolati restaurant in Oslo, Simon Zimmermann. STEPHANIE ARTNER February 2022 Photo: Simon Zimmermann ...read more
Soil life even in winter. Because the soil never sleeps!
When the juices withdraw from the plants in winter, they go into hibernation. Silence also returns to the soil, but there is no question of real sleep. Even at low temperatures, important processes are going on, dead plant and animal cells become nutrients, and many other processes are also going on. In the seemingly sleeping soil, everything is ...read more
Sommelier spotlight: Andrea Morris
In this third Sommelier Spotlight, I am speaking with Andrea Morris, the Beverage Director from Union Square Café (USC), the flagship restaurant that launched Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group in New York. STEPHANIE ARTNER January 2022 Photo: Andrea Morris ...read more
A delightful and unburdened feast!
This should be an inspiration for a relaxed Christmas, with which we burden the environment and ourselves as little as possible. These suggestions include many useful things, some of which are easier to implement than others. The more the merrier, but nobody needs to be perfect. This list is not meant to be exhaustive. The more we realise, ...read more
Sommelier spotlight: Christopher Sealy, Alo Food Group Toronto
I am excited to continue our new bi-weekly column where we’ll speak to Sommeliers all over the world to get a sense of where they are in this pandemic world. Next up is Christopher Sealy, Wine Director for the Alo food group in Toronto. STEPHANIE ARTNER December 2021 Photo: Christopher Sealy / credit: Nikki Leigh McKean ...read more
Study on online wine tastings
Gergely Szolnoki from the University of Geisenheim has dedicated a study to online tastings. In a cooperation with the Institute of Masters of Wine and Winetourism.com in Sweden, he conducted a broad cross-national study. 1,423 vintners in over 40 countries were surveyed. December 2021 Szolnoki, Gergely / Luecke, Nikolaus Moritz / et al. ...read more
Rewilding Europe – imitators wanted!
It was one of those lectures you never forget. It was about the complex and fascinating impacts of resettling wolves into the wild in the US. I don't remember who gave the talk in 2013 at my first Sustainabiliy training. And as much as I searched, I couldn't find any information on this project. And then Arte aired a film about it in 2019 and ...read more
Sommelier spotlight: Linda Milagros Violago from Canlis in Seattle
I am excited to introduce a bi-weekly column where we'll speak to sommeliers all over the world. The new interview series will aim to paint a picture of Covid's impact on the wine industry with its continuing challenges. It will also ask how we (consumers or winemakers, or agents) can support sommeliers during these still difficult times, what ...read more
The five principles of soil health
The Nuremberg wine merchant and trained chemist Martin Kössler has thankfully sent me the essay "The Five Principles of Soil Health" by the Australian soil ecologist Christine Jones. In his opinion, everyone involved in agricultural products should have read it. I can only agree with this, which is why I have summarised the paper here. The ...read more
Pros and cons of harvesting grapes by machine
More and more often you can read on wine labels: "Pure manual labor". This is because wine production has long been fully automated and mechanized in many places. Of course, this also applies to the harvest. That is why many small winegrowers – especially those working organically and biodynamically – feel obliged to communicate their handicraft ...read more
On the CO2 emissions of water in plastic bottles
How much smaller the footprint of tap water is compared to water in plastic bottles was recently reported in the media. Reason enough to take a closer look at the topic. August 2021 Quicktranslation with DeepL ...read more
Simply a recommendation: pure Yoga at Pureyoga in Vienna
I have been practising Ashtanga yoga in the studio of my friends Petra and Horst for around twelve years. The personal and individual care, breath teaching, living yoga philosophy and the beautiful garden with its ancient trees make it so special. Where yoga and wine cross paths comes at the end of the text. www.pureyoga.at August 2021 ...read more
The flap of a butterfly's wing
To be honest, it wasn't the flap of a butterfly's wing at all. Rather, it was the wings of light moths crumbling to dust. But they did a lot. Juli 2021 Quicktranslation with DeepL ...read more
Fisherman's Fritze fishes fresh fish ...* For how much longer?
The nutritional advice recommends fish twice a week. That's easier said than done in view of the fact that oceans are fished out and lakes and rivers are too warm for freshwater fish. So what should we do? Is it over with the herring feast? Over and done with sushi, too? Goodbye trout meunière? July 2021 (quicktranslation with DeepL) * ...read more
Why eating according to the seasons also makes us happy
There are many reasons why seasonal fruit and vegetables from the region are the better choice. One weighty argument is the lower environmental impact. Another is that we are gifted with more aromatic fruit and thus better quality. And a third is that when our patience is finally rewarded, we are thanked with happy hormones. June 2021 Figures ...read more
Biodynamic Winegrowing in One Sentence – an Attempt
The motivation for this article was the repeatedly expressed request of the sommellerie to have biodynamic viticulture explained in one sentence. A noble wish! Such complex content simply cannot be packed into a single sentence. Nevertheless, with the help of the "Introduction to Biodynamics" by Andrew & Kati Lorand, here is at least an attempt at ...read more
On the misunderstanding of "organic versus sustainable viticulture"
It has become a somewhat tiresome topic. Regional and supra-regional wine sustainability certifications that stir the emotions. Organic winegrowers who rightly feel stepped on their toes and yet usually lack a view of the bigger picture. And as always, it's all down to communication. An attempt at rectification. April 2021 Quicktranslation ...read more
Undervalued nettel
Every year in spring. Time for gardening, pruning the trees, trimming the hedges and preparing the garden beds. In short, to drive away the winter. There are a few things to keep in mind. Like simply ignoring an underestimated plant, the stinging nettle, in the garden and letting nature take its course. March 2021 Quicktranslation with DeepL ...read more
Linkedin is not Facebook is not Instagram
The business platform Linkedin has so far been pleasantly different from other social media channels such as Facebook. Unfortunately, a change has been taking place for some time. Inspired by the German magazine brand eins , I would like to point out here what is – still – important on Linkedin. March 2021 Quick translation with DeepL ...read more
Bird watching makes you joyful
This year we were part of the Gut Hardegg estate team for the first time for the Europe-wide song & field bird count. A meaningful, joyful project that is borne by success and continues to grow. Growth in the most positive sense – for the good of all of us. February 2021 Quick translation with DeepL ...read more
Look back ahead
Here we want to look at the good things that the past year has brought. They may be only very small ones and perhaps also somewhat larger ones. And those that have a forward effect. After all, this year cannot have been completely in vain. January 2021 Quick translation with DeepL ...read more
Plea for the half-bottle
Glass bottles contribute up to 49 per cent to the ecological footprint of a wine. Lighter bottles can do a lot of good in this respect, and even more do smaller containers. And from another point of view, half bottles are also the right decision for many other situations. January 2021 Quicktranslation with DeepL ...read more
Back pain & Co
Remedies for the physical consequences of Corona A topic that is not directly related to enjoyment, but which concerns us all. That's why we're giving it space here: Slouching at the computer at home only looks comfortable at first glance. Because bad posture in the home office usually makes itself painfully felt. YVONNE LACKINGER from the ...read more
What characterises a good website
In this peculiar standstill, time is found for things that until now had to sit on the sidelines for capacity reasons. The own website is one of them. Here are the most important requirements to make the investment in it a worthwhile one. December 2021 Quicktranslation with DeepL ...read more
The fundamentals of positioning
Positioning work with winegrowers is one of our favourite tasks. What could be better than to lift their treasure together with them: That which distinguishes them from all the others. That which they do particularly well. Since presence workshops are not possible at the moment, here is a minimal guide. November 2020 Translated with DeepL ...read more
Employee retention in tourism through sustainability
Better employee recruitment and retention in Austrian tourism through targeted employer branding and sustainability concepts. This is the concise hypothesis of my recently completed master thesis. It was confirmed in an online survey among hotel operators. October 2020 Quick translation with DeepL ...read more
Time of maturation & about freedom in viticulture
Romana Echensberger MW has written a book about biodynamics. Contents are twelve winegrower portraits and among other things a treatise about the different production methods in the vineyard. And this is what this book is about. Echensperger, Romana (2020): The freedom to make the right wine. A portrait of biodynamic winemaking. Frankfurt: ...read more
The value of soil
In the materiality analysis within the framework of a sustainability strategy for wineries, the soil is the top priority. A fact that is given far too little consideration in current certifications. August 2020 Photo © Michaela Stark Translation with DeepL ...read more
A Porto Protocol Climate Talk
As the Austrian representative of the Porto Protocol, I was invited to moderate a Climate Talk on three regional and national wine sustainablity standards. July 2020 ...read more
(Organic) Wine consumption in the Corona crisis
Figures, data and facts on Austrian wine consumption in the Corona crisis July 2020 © Painting: Watanabe Shōtei aka Watanabe Seitei (Japanese 1851–1918) Mouse and Grapes, approx. 1910 Online translation with DeepL ...read more
In drei Schritten zum perfekten Auftritt
Was ist eigentlich meine Marke, passt sie zu meinen Stärken und Grundwerten und ist sie gut positioniert? Sind mein persönlicher Auftritt und mein Markenauftritt stimmig? Lernen Sie an drei Halbtagen mehr über sich, Ihr Image und Unternehmen, und bringen Sie es in ein harmonisches Ganzes. Juli 2020 ...read more
Eating Meat? Of course, but…
Is it even possible to eat meat in times of these incredible scandals? It is! A plea for conscious consumption. July 2020 Online translation of the original text with DeepL. ...read more
A Perfect Day
Thrown back on oneself in more than sixty days of state of emergency, many of us ask ourselves: "What is a good day?" May 2020 Online translation of the original text with DeepL. ...read more
Mastering online-meetings well
Even though video conferences & webinars have become a daily routine in the last few months, they still pose a challenge for many people. I have summarized for you here what you can do to make your virtual meeting - participating or moderating – a success. Technical requirements & preparation Your optical appearance Voice & Language ...read more
Times of crisis – what you can do now
The Corona crisis presents us all with an immense challenge. As people and as entrepreneurs . On this page I would like to offer support on two levels: Help on a personal level by a certified psychologist and coach: Michaela Stark | blaufeuer Opportunities for good communication now & afterwards : Carpe diem with Sylvia Petz ...read more
Well through the crisis – with graduate psychologist Michaela Stark
»I've never tried that before, so I'm pretty sure I can do it.« Pippi Langstrumpf Psychological Coaching Contact : +43 664 545 1340 & michaela.stark@blaufeuer.at April 2020 Online translation of the original text with DeepL ...read more
Biodiversity – what each & every individual garden owner can contribute
Basically, it's quite simple. You would only have to let nature take its course and it would come back on its own. And of course, in reality it is not quite so simple after all. March 2020 Online translation of the original text with DeepL. ...read more
Luxury & sustainability – a contradiction in terms?
Luxury & Sustainability - do they go together or is it a contradiction in terms? I was asked this question a while ago in Von-Magazin , an Austrian lifestyle magazine for the upper class. The editors wanted to look behind the luxury goods. Since the contents are still up to date, they can be read again here. February 2020 Online ...read more
Yes to Braunau! – a project of planetYES
Since a little more than a year I am a partner of planetYES. Our goal is to create networked sustainable cities and regions within a team and with a large network of research, companies, organizations and academia. With a focus on regional value creation and global knowledge transfer for rapid change and significant effectiveness. November ...read more
PURE LUXURY – WINE FROM SUSTAINABLE CULTIVATION
The title "Pure Luxury" resulted from a discussion about what luxury really means in our time. We agreed that true luxury always has to do with pauses, with quality craftsmanship and in truth nothing with high prices. This is the origin of this text on wine pricing. Enjoy reading it! October 2019 Online translation of the original text with ...read more
The value chain of a bottle of supermarket wine
I wonder what might be in a bottle of wine for 2.99 euros from the supermarket? Considering that the bottle, label, capsule, cork and cardboard have to be bought and various margins are incurred. In the weekly newspaper Die Zeit one has now done some research . September 2019 Online translation of the original text with DeepL. ...read more