Exciting reports and documentaries about wine: Cultural and food journalist Susanne Reininger knows what wine lovers must see in the media libraries. Here are her new tips!
arte 360 degree documentary, 53:00 minutes, available until 30.5.2025
The center of viticulture in Argentina lies at the foot of the Andes: the province of Mendoza. With almost 150,000 hectares of vineyard area and an altitude of 430 to 2,000 meters above sea level, most of the wine in Argentina is produced there. The Malbec grape variety also grows there – the basis for many good red wines in the country.
Wine has traditionally been produced there mainly by men. But a group of dedicated women has fulfilled the dream of their own wine: "Apasionadas" – in German "passionate". A well-known Argentine advertising designer created the label for "Apasionadas". It stands for what the women want to represent: passion, strength, and the indestructible love for the vineyards.
Federica Aguero, a single mother and initiator of this extraordinary project, brought together 22 women – each with different, often tragic life stories. They all own a small vineyard, inherited from their ancestors or ex-husbands. The plots are too tiny to be farmed profitably. Only in the group were the women able to produce their own wine and bring it to market.
An emotional, moving report about extraordinary women in wine who have transcended borders through their work. A must-see!
SR, 43:15 minutes, available until 16.08.2026
No other wine symbolizes the French way of life as much as champagne. But the story of its success is quite German: In the 18th and 19th centuries, many young immigrants from Germany played a crucial role in developing the industry in Champagne – including the Mumm brothers, William Deutz, Peter Geldermann, Florenz-Ludwig Heidsieck, Joseph Jacob Bollinger, and Johann-Josef Krug.
The pioneers from Germany soon made a name for themselves in the region and significantly influenced the production methods, distribution, and image of sparkling wine. They all laid the foundation for renowned world-class champagne brands with their names.
The documentary "Champagne – a German-French Story" tells of the beginnings of champagne production, crises and wars, deceptions and separations, changes and new beginnings. The moving journey through time ends with a search for traces in the Rheingau.
The documentary offers the perfect dosage for a relaxed evening on the couch – best enjoyed with a glass of champagne.
NDR, 4:00 minutes, available until 1.2.2027
Sweating athletes in a wine bar? A completely normal sight in a former printing house in Hamburg's old town. Because where printing machines once stood, today you can choose from over a hundred wines – from people who come directly from work, curious city strollers, regulars, or participants in the weekly wine bar event "Sip and Run". The motto: First jog together, then enjoy wine.
The concept comes from Valerie Kauffeld. The hotel manager discovered her passion for wine while studying in South Africa. After returning in 2019, she did not enter the hotel business but took over her parents' printing house and opened an unusual wine bar in the old halls.
Valerie had the wine list set by her father by hand and printed on paper. It comprises 104 pages with 150 categories, and 50 wines are available by the glass. The exclusive "Wine Bible" consists of individual chapters divided by moods. Among other things, you can find mineral Rieslings from Canada, wines from Armenia, Lebanon, Australia, and, of course, from South Africa.
After watching the portrait of "The Old Print Shop" and its unconventional hostess, this wine bar is at the top of my "Bucket List" for my next visit to Hamburg – preferably in jogging clothes.