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Founder and Editor-in-Chief

Niels Aarts

Niels is a leading authority in the world of fine wine. Working with top tier wineries and wine regions across the world he has not only built a personal connection with them but also accumulated valuable insights and understanding of the industry.

Besides Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Dutch Wine Apprentice Niels is a frequent speaker on the topic of fine wine, with a focus on positioning, distribution and fine wine sales. He still takes time to write his own reflections and articles on the Dutch Wine Apprentice website.

Read all publications from Niels

Restaurant Bisous Bordeaux Mondays.
5 March 2026

Bordeaux Mondays at Bisous: Rare Bordeaux by the Glass in Amsterdam

Restaurant Bisous in Amsterdam introduces Bordeaux Mondays, offering rare and mature Bordeaux wines by the glass from an exceptional private cellar. Each week features a different Bordeaux theme—from Pomerol to Grand Cru First Growths—allowing wine lovers to discover iconic estates like Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, and Château Margaux in an accessible and unique tasting experience.

Niels Aarts

1 March 2026

Favia Wines: Full Circle in Napa Valley, With Eyes Firmly on the Future

At Wine Paris 2026, Annie Favia and Andy Erickson reflect on the evolution of Favia Wines and present the Favia Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (96/100), a benchmark expression blending Oakville power with Coombsville precision. Rooted in decades of vineyard expertise and a new Oakville estate designed for the future, Favia Wines continues to shape the identity of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with restraint, structure, and site-driven clarity.

Niels Aarts

Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion.
24 February 2026

Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion – Bordeaux Reimagined from Within

Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion redefines modern Bordeaux wine from within the city itself, combining four centuries of heritage with precision viticulture and contemporary whole-cluster winemaking. Located in the heart of Bordeaux, this historic urban vineyard produces elegant, Cabernet Franc–driven wines that balance freshness, structure, and early drinkability while retaining exceptional ageing potential.

Niels Aarts

Philippe Castéja: A Steward of Bordeaux in a Changing Wine World.
21 February 2026

Philippe Castéja: A Steward of Bordeaux in a Changing Wine World

Philippe Castéja, chairman of Borie-Manoux and steward of iconic estates such as Château Batailley, offers a rare insider’s perspective on how Bordeaux balances heritage, terroir and modern precision in a rapidly changing fine wine world. From La Place de Bordeaux to climate adaptation and evolving consumer expectations, this in-depth interview reveals why patience, culture and long-term vision remain Bordeaux’s greatest strengths.

Niels Aarts

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