Again back at you with the best of wines news of France. By the way for the non Romans LIX is no 59, The wines of France are just super simply awesome and a great tradition. Often imitated, some time equaled ,but never surpass! Therefore, let me tell you some news shall we. Hope you enjoy it as I.
Global production of wine, disturbed by droughts, heat waves, fires, early frost or rains promoting floods and diseases, dropped by 10% in 2023, while consumption fell by 3%, said Thursday the International Wine Organisation (OIV) The world’s winegrowers have produced a total of 237 million hectoliters, their lowest harvest since 1961. The harvest has particularly suffered in Italy (-23% at 38 million hectoliters) and Spain (-21% at 28 million ‘hectoliters) while it has progressed slightly in France (+4% to 48 million hectoliters), allowing France to become, by far, the leading producer of wine in the world. The harvest thus dropped 11% in Chile, 26% in Australia and 10% in South Africa, the three largest producers in the southern hemisphere. Consumption has also dropped sharply in China (-25%), affected by an economic slowdown. The Portuguese, the French and the Italians are, per capita, the biggest consumers. And the beat goes on,,,,webpage: https://www.oiv.int/press/consumption-down-trade-value-high-inflation-bites
The announced revolution of fresh and light red wines bring down the alcohol levels and gain fruit to seduce a younger clientele and relaunch the red wines , These are wines intended for a young clientele, presented as “uninhibited”, including habits of consumption Change and for which the traditional meal around the table accompanied by a good bottle gives way to less conventional moments, oscillating between relaxed aperitif and simple reunions around a glass. Regarding the development of these light reds, the naturally not very tannic grape varieties are privileged. Varieties that are ostensibly displayed in the names of the cuvées, affixed to labels with uninhibited design like their wine beyond novelty, many professionals believe that these light reds can be an excellent gateway to the world of wine in general, acting, for the consumer of beer as well as that of white or rosé wine, rite of passage towards the appreciation of more structured wines, An excellent observation for the novice, as wine is an art form of the highest levels.
Every two years, the Hopscotch Sopexa agency delivers B2B trends in key consumption and wine import markets, with the help of its network of more than 30 antennas worldwide. The 10th edition of this study, conducted between September and November 2023 with 957 professionals, first confirms that European wines remain essential in the global offer. Almost 9 out of 10 operators reference French wines (88%), ahead of Italian (77%) and Spanish (72%) wines ”, lists this study. Importers, GMS distributors, wholesalers, wine merchants, online sales specialists from 9 markets (Germany, Belgium, United Kingdom, Netherlands, United States, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea) and working with an assortments of international wines are professionals surveyed in this study. Hopscotch, which took control of Sopexa (my graduating class on French wine tasting!) Webpage: https://hopscotchgroupe.com/en/our-network/
Like every year, the Idealwine team is made your faithful reporter of primeurs Bordeaux, all started with a relatively fresh, inexole winter, particularly in March, which is good news for the vineyard, since these temperatures have avoided over early a discharge and therefore allowed to avoid frost damage in most plots. In the spring, sweet and cooler periods followed one another and humidity was high, promoting the development of mildew. The summer was quite warm but not very sunny, punctuated by several episodes of thunderstorms, which led to a long period of veraison. Then, from the 2nd fortnight in August, a heat wave started which finally stops the growth of the vine and allows a good ripening of the grapes. The vineyard sometimes suffers from drought with phenomena of witherings that have remained rare, mainly on young vines or the most filtering soils and rather the Merlots than Cabernets-Sauvignons, the latter being little subject to water stress. The harvest started on August 12 in the Sauternais, the essential was picked up during the second half of August and the harvest ended in early September. The picking of the Merlots began the first week of September then the Cabernets followed, with a wave before a rainy episode around September 20 and others on the contrary after this episode. A very beautiful rear season allows you to finish the harvest in excellent conditions. The weather, rather fresh and not very sunny on a large part of the year explains largely the very good quality of white wines for this 2023 vintage in detail, Savignon blancs are aromatic, fresh, sapids and offer beautiful materials fleshy. The Semillons deliver their subtle aromas of white flowers and their softness. The beautiful end of the season, dry and sunny allowed the berries to reach a good maturity, including for the Cabernet-Sauvignon which can sometimes miss it. Thus, in many properties, the part of the Cabernet has increased slightly this year in the assembly. The harvest of the Merlots is relatively low or at least, of variable quantity depending on the case, since this grape was first reached by the attacks of mildiou. Merlots are generally generous, crunchy, juicy and well fruity, but without falling into the aromas of jammed fruit or fruit with lifespan, signs of overheadity. Overall, wines are slightly less alcoholic than in 2022, with very reasonable levels for recent years. They present good acidity levels as for the whites. In short, you will understand, this vintage promises to be very well, excellent in dry white and sweet and good in red with certain very beautiful successes, in a classically Bordeaux style but very balanced by freshness, leaving the different terroirs fully speak out. Yes try some 2023 already and they taste very good, better with a bit of ageing you know,,,,Webpage: https://www.idealwine.com/uk/buy-wine/region-BORDEAUX.jsp
The successes were diverse in 2023 among the primary red wines of Pessac-Léognan. Some are of fruity, immediate, fragrant style, of a rather light structure on the other side, beautiful wines are to be reported in a very different style in Pessac-Léognan. Material wines, with a lot of tannins that can age very well. They can however express an austere side, due to the absence of fats which accompanied the 2020 and 2022 vintages. White wines, harvested earlier, did not know this “second summer” characterized by strong heat which allowed red grapes to mature properly. The acidities of white wines are present, giving them “relief, momentum, aromatic intensity”. This is the favorite color of our tastor for this 2023 vintage as early as Pessac-Léognan. An up and coming region for several years now with good inexpensive wines in comparison with the Médoc, Webpage:https://www.pessac-leognan.com/en/
The mineral strength of Sauvignon Blanc on these land in the Centre-Loire. Its name ? Voilà le printemps ! Or this is spring!, This Sauvignon Blanc comes from the terroir of Menetou-Salon and more specifically from the domaine de la Fidélité (formerly the domaine de l’Ermitage). Its creator is Antoine de la Farge, this is how he can then buy the Domaine Chavet , 30 hectares with very qualitative plots in Menetou-Salon. In 2022, 4 hectares will follow in the neighboring name of Reuilly with the domaine Guillemain and then the acquisition of the family in the l’Ermitage , the same year. La Montaloise 2023 cuvée , an organic Menetou-Salon from Pinots rights of Champagne planted by its grandfather giving fine and fresh wines. Grenadine’s nose is particularly charming and the mouth, sapid and saline, gives a lot of energy to the whole. On the white side, special mention for the Pinot Gris 2022 of the Domaine Guillemain, a bright reuilly, intense with the superb gray gold shade and smoked notes, honey evolving towards infused plants (linden) and white fruits in the mouth where salinity is still revealed. The opportunity to discover another facet of this sometimes abused grape. We could also cite the very interesting Clos de Coquin 2022, velvety and radiant. This Menetou-Salon is high in half in sandstone amphora and half in 500 liter barrels. The novelty, the Clos des Jentonnes Rouge 2022 from the Domaine Chavet is the perfect example. Reglissé, very floral ,pink, peony, its material is full and mature. Lots of juice, a powdery tannic matter and a large fruity extension. To be kept for a few years without hesitation.
The Department of Aube no 10 is launching a new edition of the Route de Champagne En Fête de la Côte des Bar, Saturday July 20 and Sunday July 21, 2024. This year again, the Cap’C association accompanies Champagne lovers in an immersion taste of fifteen areas in four villages in the Seine valley. Among the cuvées to be tasted, the program offers tastings of Blanc de Blacks de Champagne Fleury, the Cuvée des Jean de Champagne Jean Josselin and Elegance of Champagne Vincent Coquer, among others. Thanks to a tasting book, visitors will meet the winegrowers to discover their field and the know-how of these players in the Champagne terroir. Webpage : https://www.routeduchampagne.com/caves/
Favorite for this red wine from the Loire valley with raspberry aromas: the Trinch 2022 cuvée of the Domaine Catherine and Pierre Breton AOC Bourgueil, This Trinch is clear with frank aromas of raspberry, a tender attack, tightened by a finish which leaves a feeling of grape skin shouting under the tooth. Let it relax a year in the first vinification bottle of France and Baptiste on gravel terroirs. Manual harvest in boxes. Washed vinification, daily reassembly, 10 -month in concrete tank. Domaine Catherine et Pierre Breton, 10, rue du Changeon, 37140 Benais, Webpage: https://domainebreton.net/home/
In Chablis, the Grand Cru Les Clos wins 2.5 hectares delimitation of a Grand Cru has just changed in Burgundy! At the very heart of the Chablis Grand Cru appellation. More precisely at the limit between two climates: the Clos and its neighbor Valmur, further north. It’s not a simple pencil stroke on the cadastre. This revision concerns nearly 2.5 hectares, four different plots and three producers: the domains Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin, William Fèvre and Guy Robin. The commission of inquiry set up by INAO has finally decided the dispute: it agrees with the winemaker. The Cuvée de Chablis Les Clos will therefore return to the Domaine Droin range from the 2023 vintage, A wonderful victory indeed !! Webpage : https://www.jeanpaulbenoit-droin.fr/en/vin/15/chablis-grand-cru-les-clos
A bit of history I like and yes in wines too it is part of our world, The history of the Château Pape Clement or Pope Clément, a grand cru classified with Graves, In the 14C, when Bertrand de Goth, a respected church man, became Pope Clément V in Avignon,, originally from Bordeaux, he marks history by becoming the first French pope, thus establishing close ties between the Papacy and the wine region which would one day shelter the Château Pape Clement, The hillsides of Pessac gradually transform into a flourishing vineyard, thus marking the beginning of a secular wine tradition. The shadow of King Philippe le Bel , a powerful and sometimes tyrannical character of that time, also hovers on the castle. The complex relations between Pope Clément V and the King of France have left scars in the history of the field. Political alliances have been woven, tensions have emerged, and Château Pape Clément was the silent witness to these intrigues. On Friday, October 13, 1307, Jacques de Molay, the grand master, and the 140 knights of the parent company were arrested at the Hôtel du Temple, under doubtful charges, just like hundreds of others Provincial templars. The trial lasts almost seven years and, one by one, under the tortures provided by Guillaume de Nogaret, the knights of the temple end up admitting the imaginary crimes that are attributed to them. Under pressure from Philippe le Bel, Pope Clément V announcing the abolition of the Order. On March 18, 1314, Jacques de Molay, imprisoned for seven years in the temple prison, was led before the Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris to hear the verdict of the trial. But Jacques de Molay and Geoffroy de Charnay harangus the crowd, saying that their confessions were stolen, that the Templars have not committed any crime and are victims of a scheme. The two men are then sentenced to the stake. The next day, March 19, 1314, on the pyre erected on the île aux Juifs or Jewish island (opposite the Palais de la Cité) Jacques de Molay exclaims: “Pope Clément!” King Philippe! Before one year, I quote you to appear in the court of God to receive your just punishment! Cursed! Cursed ”. Both died in 1314 !.. The centuries pass, but the Château Pape Clement remains, resilient and imbued with the history that surrounds it. The cultivated vines with passion carry in them the secrets of the papacy, the Templars and medieval power struggles. A lovely history of France as well and one of my all time favorite bottles, go for it, Webpage : https://www.chateau-pape-clement.fr/en
In Bordeaux, Saint-Julien often remains in the shadow of his neighbors Pauillac (north) and Margaux (south). Wrongly, since the wines of this name have all the best characteristics of the Médoc. Known for their remarkable childcare capacity, they are distinguished by their aromas, rich and opulent, as much as by their energy and their dynamism, Indeed , a favorite area for wines, and will give you amongst the many my favorite over the years and well rated if not cheap,
Château Beychevelle 2021 “A generous, silky, civilized” side rich and robust in the nose, it is full of berries, very ripe and juicy. Pure and piercing in the mouth, it has a generous, silky, civilized side, which is coated in a mineral corset. Lots of class.
Château Gruaud Larose 2021 “It vibrates with energy to the final” as always, a wonderfully classic burgundy with the nose, which reveals as the purple (blackcurrant, blackberry), fine but exhilarating, with intriguing notes ‘Aromatic herbs and cigar box. Full and creamy on the palate, enhanced by an invigorating spicy side, it vibrates with energy to the finish.
Château Léoville Barton 2021 “The material is noble and refined” an opulent nose, with purple fruits, marked by wooded aromas at this stage. Wood, also present on the palate, will get rid of age. Matter is noble and refined.
Château Saint Pierre 2021 “The wine is racy, energetic, salivating” The nose is full of opulent and complex aromas, minerals and ripe fruits. On the palate, the wine is racy, energetic, salivating, with a clear, silky texture. Pretty gourmet coffee notes and grainy tannins arrive in the final.
Château Talbot 2021 “He exerts a certain fascination despite his shyness” discreet in the nose, he exercises a certain fascination despite his shyness. Vibrant and fluid in the mouth, attractive, it takes us to a digestible and refined finish. A Talbot who has class.
Moët & Chandon, 280 years of history in the heart of Champagne, It was in 1743 that Claude Moët founded the eponymous house in Épernay, about 30 km from Reims and quickly gave it an important aura with the largest European courses. However, it was truly from 1792 that property experienced a significant boom. Jean-Rémy Moët, grandson of the founder, then transformed the house into an international reference by embarking on the trading wine. In 1833, the name Chandon joined forces with that of Moët when Pierre-Gabriel Chandon, son-in-law of the founder, took the reins of the house. Very quickly, the latter experienced an unprecedented expansion, resulting in many innovations, the creation of prestigious cuvées but also the conquest of many markets. The story of Moët & Chandon continues its ascent under the direction of Robert Jean de Voguë, with the acquisition of the Champagne Houses Ruinart in 1962 and Mercier in 1970 (my first bottle with what would be my wife later on). The group then continued its expansion by buying the Christian Dior perfume house, Then by merging with the Hennessy Cognacs in 1987 and the leather maker Louis Vuitton. This merger gives birth to the LVMH group, which then acquired Moët and Chandon. Located in Épernay, Moët & Chandon watches over a vineyard present in the five main areas of Champagne: La Montagne de Reims, La Côte des Blancs, La Vallée de la Marne, Sézanne and Aube. Magnifying the shades and the richness of the three great Champagne grape varieties, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, these exceptional champagnes are made from a vineyard, 50% of which is classified as a Grand Cru and 25% en Premier Cru . Moët & Chandon contains another treasure. A labyrinth of more than 28 km of the largest underground cellars in Champagne . It is there, several meters underground that the bottles flourish in the dark in order to develop over the long years of guard their aromatic palette. Some great bottles to grab quickly are the Moët & Chandon: Imperial Brut and Moët & Chandon: Imperial Brut Rosé AnIconic cuvée, Moët imperial is closely associated with the history of the famous house. Indeed, Jean-Rémy Moët was decorated with the Legion of Honor by the emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, who visited the domain several times and to whom this champagne pays homage. Legend has it that the gesture of slashing bottles of Moët & Chandon Champagne was invented by Napoleon and his troops to celebrate a victory. Fruit of an assembly of more than 200 vintages, the imperial Moët cuvée has accurately combined for almost 150 years Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay to reach a perfect balance. Indeed !! Webpage : https://www.moet.com/en-gb
There you go folks, another wine episode of my belle France! The wines news from France that is, superbe, sublime, wonderful, gorgeous, enjoy without moderation but accompanying a meal, family table just perfect. See you in the vineyards of my belle France, Again, hope you enjoy the post as I,
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 