I was looking at my posts and realise some are much old and repetitive so as done before will condense these posts into one for you and me, The subject pops up again and can ‘t resist writing on it when I hear some exciting news on them. Let me tell you about the wines news of France 2019 no I to 2020 !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
Bordeaux wineries took a bold step last week, authorizing seven new wine grapes for Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Supérieur wines. It still needs to be approved by France’s national oversight body, INAO. It’s a huge move for one of the most conservative areas of the wine world. For now, the only wines that will be allowed to use these grapes are those with the entry-level Bordeaux or the geographic Bordeaux Supérieur labels. The famous appellations of Bordeaux, such as Pauillac and Saint-Émilion, will not be affected. There are not so many ways French farmers can legally cut back on the alcohol content of their wines. Picking earlier is the easiest method, but there’s a limit to how early a farmer can pick, because often the sugar that becomes alcohol develops in grapes faster than the flavor compounds that make wine delicious. Picked too early, a wine might taste like alcohol and tannin and not much else. Different grape varieties ripen at different times, though. The big name here is Touriga Nacional, perhaps the best grape in Portugal’s hot Douro Valley. Touriga Nacional makes wines of great complexity and elegance even in hot, dry conditions. Bordeaux’s white wines are not as expensive or important to the market as its reds, but they will get a boost with the white grape Albariño, which makes terrific wines from the coasts of both Portugal and Spain. Especially famous for the Galicia region of Spain. The third-most important grape on the new list is Marselan, a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and heat-tolerant Grenache created in a French research institute in 1961. Marselan appears in some southern French red wines but it is a major varietal wine in China. The other four grapes are obscure. They are: Petit Manseng, a white variety usually used in sweet wines; Arinarnoa, a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat; Castets, a rare red variety first identified in Bordeaux in 1870. It was down to less than one hectare in France in 2008, according to Wine Grapes by Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding and José Vouillamoz and Liliorila, a rare white variety that is a cross between Chardonnay and another obscure grape with the evocative name Baroque. Growers are only being allowed to plant up to 5 percent of their vineyards with them, and can only add up to 10 percent in their final blend of any bottling. the new regulations are just an approval of experiments that are already happening even in the most expensive vineyards in Bordeaux. There are some people who do some Carmenère in Pauillac today for instance.
The highest court in France (cour de cassation) found that the Bordeaux Court of Appeal was right in April 2018 to dismiss the lawsuits of the prestigious Château Petrus against CGM, the company of the Coureau brothers, merchants and owners in Saint-Savin (Gironde), accused of counterfeit trademark and deceptive marketing practice. Château Petrus, property in Pomerol of the Moueix family and a Colombian-American minority partner, does not give up and in 2017, continues in correctional court after CGM after the publication on the internet of an announcement of an individual wishing to resell bottles of second wine of Petrus. The name “second wine” appearing on the label. In the first instance, Petrus wins, the court considering that there is a risk of confusion, even if the wine of the brothers Coureau is selling around 10 euros a bottle, far from the astronomical sums reached by the prestigious vintage. A year later, the Court of Appeal sweeps this judgment, saying that if the Coureau brothers had indeed made a skillful use of the mark, a good consumer moderately aware of the wine would not be deceived, recalls the judgment of the Court of Cassation. Attracting the customer’s attention does not mean deceiving or misleading, the Court of Appeal noted. And the name of a second wine is not prohibited, even in the absence of first wine. There you Petrus name is not exclusive anymore!
During all weekends in June,2020 , the castles Lafon-Rochet (Saint-Estèphe), Siran (Margaux), Haut-Bages Libéral (Pauillac), Carbonnieux (Pessac-Léognan) and Ferrand (Saint-Emilion) open their doors to discover their domain, their cellars and vats as well as a preview, the tasting of their 2019 vintage. These free visits are made by appointment from 10h to 17h, with five slots per day, for groups composed of six to eight people maximum. An 18C charterhouse built by the Lautrec family, cellar, 360-degree terrace, Château Siran, managed by a family owner since 1859, has both a flowered garden and a fallout shelter. The Château Lafon-Rochet is a flamboyant yellow family estate surrounded by 41 hectares of vines, including those of great wine which are at least 35 years old and some vines date from 1938. At Château Haut-Bages Libéral, founded in the 18C, the appellation includes 18 classified growths, including three of the first five classified great growths of 1855, and the property’s wine is certified organic from the 2019 vintage. A change of scenery with a history dating from the 13C, hundred-year-old trees, white and red winery, for Château Carbonnieux, which also has in its space, a collection of vintage cars. Finally, the Château de Ferrand, a 32 hectare Grand Cru Classé Saint-Emilion property in the center of a ten hectare park, overlooks the Dordogne valley.
Bordeaux with its wines and the culinary wonders of the Médoc From Saint-Emilion to the Médoc, via the Bordeaux center, from June 2,2020 ; the visitor will once again have a wide choice of tables for elaborate food and wine pairings. Some of my favorites are below:
La Grande Maison by Bernard Magrez, 10, rue Labottière, 33000 Bordeaux. Phone 33 05 35 38 16 16. La Tupina, 6, rue Porte-de-la-Monnaie, 33000 Bordeaux. Phone.33 05 56 91 56 37. Le Pavillon des Boulevards, 20, rue de la Croix-de-Seguey, 33000 Bordeaux. Phone. 33 05 56 81 51 02. Hostellerie de Plaisance, 5, place du Clocher, 33330 Saint-Émilion. Phone. 33 05 57 55 07 55. L’Envers du décor, 11, rue du Clocher, 33330 Saint-Émilion. Phone.33 05 57 74 48 31. The Baravin de Chasse-Spleen, 32, chemin de la Razé, 33480 Moulis-en-Médoc. Open 7 days a week from May to October. The Château Giscours, 10, route de Giscours, 33460 Labarde. Tel. 33 05 57 97 09 09.
Some views from well known winegrowers on the outlook of their wine in the 2019 vintage year. It is a super year folks, grab those 2019!! Bordeaux should be in the top. Nicolas de Bailliencourt co-owner of Château Gazin, in Pomerol: “2019 may be better than 2018 …” 2019 is quite close to 2018. It may even be better. At Château Gazin, it’s a compromise between the very beautiful 2016 and 2018. Olivier Bernard owner of the Domaine de Chevalier, in Pessac-Léognan: 2019 vintage? For the first time in my life, I hoped for rain is a great vintage. In general, it left on time and arrived the same. Many have imagined that with the very sunny periods that we lived, this vintage would approach 2003 or 2009, warm, generous. Jean-Charles Cazes co-owner and manager of Château Ormes de Pez: “I classify 2019 in the same category as the 2010, 2016, 2018”. 2019 is a luscious, charming, opulent, generous vintage. The wines are again solar, with lamb’s lettuce, good quality tannins. These are wines that go towards freshness thanks to their acidity. Philippe Dambrine director of Château Cantemerle, president of the Médoc wine council: “In the style of the wines that I like” The three areas of the Haut-Médoc appellation, long and vast tongue of land sixty kilometers from the south (Blanquefort ) to the north (Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne), all produced a very beautiful 2019. Jean-Pierre Foubet co-owner of Château Chasse-Spleen, in Moulis-en-Médoc: “The Cabernets have corrected the softness of the Merlot” ;2019 is a superb vintage. “All the wines of the appellation (600 hectares) that I have tasted are successful, with, of course, different expressions depending on the terroir “ In recent vintages, 2019 would be a little notch below 2018, but would be comparable to 2014, a vintage that remained in the shadows because of the beautiful 2015 and 2016. Emmanuel Danjoy director of Château Clerc Milon, in Pauillac: “A remarkable refining of tannins” With three properties in Pauillac . the Premier Cru Classé Château Mouton Rothschild, and the great classified growths Château d’Armailhac and Château Clerc Milon, we already had a very positive vision of 2019 “This is a great vintage. The terms that stand out during the tastings: nose of fresh black fruit, floral, liquorice . Soft, creamy, unctuous, velvety, silky on the palate. It is rare for Cabernets to present such sweet suave tannins. The finish stretches out with chocolate notes enhanced by a minty freshness. The remarkable balance of the wine, its richness and its tannic quality destine it for a very bright future which is already confirmed by the evolution observed since the beginning of the aging: the wines are built, become more complex, demonstrate an ability to not not be dominated by wood. François-Xavier Maroteaux co-owner and director of Château Branaire-Ducru: “Both accessible now and long-lasting” The nose of the 2019 is already expressive, full of fruit. Dense, the wine has a nice depth. Very aromatic, it has maturity, great freshness and good acidity. But above all, “I think the 2019 can be appreciated quite quickly, a bit like the 2015 and the 2018”. Branaire-Ducru 2019 is higher than 2015 the alcohol levels are lower than we imagined at the start. Stephan von Neipperg owner of Château Canon La Gaffelière: “A great integration of tannins” 2019 is one of the great classic vintages of Bordeaux. The wines are incredible, with superb, dark colors, with bluish reflections for the Merlots on limestone soils. Admittedly, 2016 remains a benchmark vintage but the wines are harder, the tannins more solid and marked than in 2019. Alexander Van Beekdirector of Château Giscours, in Margaux: “An almost perfect balance” In the appellation in general, 2019 is a very great vintage, with beautiful marginal nuances, perfectly balanced between energy, freshness and acidity. Very deep in its style, elegant and precise, 2019 is enormously complex because the body is sumptuously mature. Jean-Jacques Dubourdieu owner of Château Doisy-Daëne in Barsac: “2019 is above 2018” “We have really produced a nice, homogeneous vintage”. In terms of purity, structure, balance and acidity despite the heat, 2019 in the dry and sweet whites is above 2018. “We find all the classic specificities of Sauternes and Baracs. We are proud of this vintage because we saved it from a complicated state of health by giving us a lot of trouble in the vineyard The sweet 2019 reminds me of 2013 because we had the richness, the acidity and therefore the balance. It differs from more opulent vintages like 2015, 2016, 2009, 2005. My favorite vintages in the field are, in order: 2011, 2013, 2019, 2014.”
The 2019 vintage is in line with the recent great vintages – 2018, 2015, 2010 and 2009 – in terms of quality . Many producers echo this sentiment, highlighting the high quality of the wines in 2019, in particular their impressive balance. The best examples in 2019 have allegedly reached the Holy Grail: balance between the triumvirate of concentration of aromas, structure (tannin and alcohol) and acidity, thanks in part to balanced weather conditions throughout the growing season. The heat and drought waves made 2019 a vintage for Cabernet Sauvignon; this grape takes on a slightly larger proportion than usual in the composition of many Grands Vins. In the same way, the cold brought freshness to the Merlot. the quality of Merlot through the various castles of the Rothschild group has been the best since 2010, and the quality of Cabernet Sauvignon is such that the high quality of the first will be very beneficial for the second wines. Mouton Rothschild is made up of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon in 2019, a higher proportion than usual. For one, one of my favorite if not most favorite property, Mouton Rothschild rais ed the level of the campaign with a price 30% lower than in 2018 and lower than the price of other vintages In a complex economic context and with the recent difficulties in price performance in Bordeaux, this outing is a great opportunity. It is all the more so if I; also take into account the quality reported in 2019. Mouton Rothschild 2019 is a floral, elegant and majestic wine; with a high proportion of cabernet sauvignon (90%, against an average of 83%), I promise it a long and prosperous life. The younger brother of Mouton Rothschild, released the same day, seems just as interesting but for different reasons. Regarding long-term price trends, the Petit Mouton is one of the best wines in Bordeaux. The 2019 enter the market at a price lower than that of recent vintages. The other 2019s in Mouton Rothschild’s stable – d’Armailhac, Clerc-Milon and Aile d´Argent , also came out on June 9, respectively for 34€, 57€, and 66.50€!. Also, on the other fronts such as the second Carruades de Lafite 2019 opened the ball at a price of176€ per bottle making this wine the most accessible Carruades on the market. We have the feeling that Carruades reached a milestone in 2018 in terms of quality, and the 2019 vintage is part of this line. With that in mind, and knowing that the volumes put on the market have decreased by 50% this year, it is a safe purchase for anyone wishing to access the prestige of Lafite. The Grand Vin, Lafite 2019, came out at a price of 475€ per bottle , a discount of around 20% over the current market price of the 2018 vintage. While the exit price is relatively aligned with that of the last vintages, 2018 and 2016, the excellent quality guaranteed by the Lafite team for 2019 possibly justifies the latter. Duhart-Milon 2019 has also been unveiled, at a price of 58€ per bottle. The increase in average temperatures observed by Bordeaux during the last wine seasons (vintages 2018, 2016 and 2015) therefore only serve to improve the quality of Duhart-Milon, and 2019 has certainly received its share of warmth. If you can buy any of these, you will be glad you read me. En vino veritas!
Graves white: Château Latour-Martillac: Strong flavor, very aromatic, both ripe and acidic for a nice balance. Lingering finish on tension, Graves red: Château Olilvier: Intense nose, of liquorice, round mouth, soft, supple, warm, on very fine, elegant tannins. Smoky notes, great energy. Château Pape Clément: First mellow, caressing, the wine is suave, delicate, refined, with immense freshness, fantastic tannins, suave as desired, Château Carbonnieux: Creamy texture in attack, incredible delicacy on the palate, fresh, mellow, on beautiful tannins which emerge in a powerful, suave, fruity, long finish. Château Haut-Bailly: “Energy” is the key word for this pure, balanced wine, which promises a very bright future. Progressive power, dense, silky tannins, infinite length. Breathtaking !
Margaux: Château du Tertre: Easy to access, precise, with finesse, on the juicy fruit, freshness, smooth in the mid-palate, complex on the finish, soft tannins. Château Cantenac Brown: Let yourself be carried away in a whirlwind of freshness and ripe fruit. Spicy, powerful mouth, dense tannic structure. Château d’Arsac: Exceptional bourgeois growth: Tannins of good density, seductive, wrapped in roundness, the generosity of notes of black fruit (blackberry, blackcurrant).
St Estéphe: Château Meyney: Flexible and easy to access, it unfolds with roundness, generosity, spicy notes. Power and dense tannic structure. Les Ormez de Pez Fleshy, full-bodied, harmonious, full-bodied, dense tannins and nice gourmet evocation, abundantly fruity on the finish.
Saint Julien: Château Ducru-Beaucaillou: A masterful wine with a very aromatic, floral nose. Bewitching, distinguished, lively, dense, powerful, sappy, with lamb’s lettuce, tight, racy tannins. Château Talbot: Suave, the attack precedes the mouth, round, velvety, unctuous, generous. Attractive finish thanks to the fruit which displays joyfully. Château Leoville Barton: A concentrated, silky, complex, dense vintage, with mash, tight tannins that generate this distinguished power. Château Beychevelle: And already a nice harmony between the fruit, alcohol, acidity and tannins that overlap and complement each other to provide incredible pleasure.
Pauillac: Château Mouton-Rothschild: Fleshy, mellow, bewitching, immense, with dense, satiny, racy tannins that occupy the whole palate without taking away the finish, chiseled like lace, saline. Château Clerc-Milon: Roundness, smoothness, elegance, notes of violet, ripe fruit and caressing tannin grain which allows to stretch the finish indefinitely, salivating, fresh (minty), chocolate. Château Pichon Baron: Unlimited pleasure on the attack and in the mouth, powerful, precise, intense, with tender tannins. Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande: We love this supple vintage embroidered with silky tannins, endowed with a formidable aromatic complexity.
Haut Médoc: Château La Tour Carnet: Elegant and voluminous palate, with woody, roasted notes and intense, juicy red fruits. Château Cantemerle: Easy, lively, cheerful, with a refreshing acidity which gives this beautiful feeling of drinkability. Château d’Agassac: The gourmet acidity melts into an elegant, fleshy, unctuous matter, well integrated tannins, a nice freshness. Château Malescasse: The dense tannins interfere with the air in the smoothness of the alcohol, the beautiful acidity, the roasted aromas, of liquorice and black fruits. Château Clement-Pichon: The freshness is already expressed on the nose, then the palate takes over, fruity, tart, crunchy, of an absolute gluttony. Quicksilver
Listrac Médoc: Château Fourcas-Hosten: Coated in a soft cocoon of small black fruits, the harmonious mouth, of good depth, displays energy, freshness and tender tannins.
Moulis en Médoc: Château Chasse-Spleen: Finesse, elegance and beautiful tannic structure for this wine nuanced with fruity red (cherry) and chocolate notes. Also, Château Fonplegade: A nice wine marked by freshness, tannins, liveliness, notes of red fruit, cherry, Château Ferrand: Powerful, mellow, rich mouth, good acidity, a slight bitterness due to youth, silky tannins ,Château Franc-Mayne: Round, mellow, ample, opulent and generous on the palate, with very tight tannins. Salivating finish, full of juice.
With 3,000 m², the Permanent Route includes nearly ten hours of content from twenty different interactive themes relating to culture and heritage around the theme of the vine in the region and its many vineyards, accompanied by a digital guide to discover the different stories. The terroir table, a tactile table with 50 winemakers from ten regions of the world trusting in their work and anecdotes, the “e-vine” area to learn how professionals select grape varieties, prune vines, take care of their grapes and their harvests or “around the world of vineyards” with the representation of many landscapes are part of the different spaces making up the route. Everything is in place to put yourself in the shoes of a winemaker or a wine merchant. Finally, head to the 8th floor of the establishment to go to the Belvedere which, 35 meters high, offers a 360-degree view of the city and its surroundings and sip organic reason juice. For health reasons, adults are invited to book their tickets online.More info at La Cité du Vin – 134 Quai de Bacalan 33300 Bordeaux . Open every day from 10h to 19h. More info here: La Cité du Vin Bordeaux
To wrap up this post, some overall information: The French vineyard produces 3,240 different wines for 1,313 different names in 80 departments and 16 major vineyards. The 16 French vineyards, with 3245 labeled wines (2959 AOC-AOP, 286 IGP), and the 25,000 French wine-growing towns!. La vie est belle; en vino veritas!
The Domaine de l’Île (35 ha) in organic farming since 2015 and sold in October 2019 to the fashion house Chanel, was maintained in this spirit by the winegrower and sailor poet Sébastien Le Ber after having inherited it from his mother, herself having inherited it from her father, François-Joseph Fournier historical figure of the island .Three vineyards for a rock of 12.54 km² including 30 km of coastline. Three properties ,80 ha in all, where the rosés prance in the lead. Depending on the area, up to 70% of production. About 70,000 bottles per year for La Courtade with the ambition to double by 2021; 60,000 bottles for the first vintage signed Chanel at Domaine de l’Île on twenty hectares in 2019 . And among the Perzinsky, who produce 60,000 bottles of three colors annually, “meal rosés” dominate. So take a look at Porquerolles and its Rosé wines!!!
In recent years, the popularity of rosé has exploded with global consumption which rose from 18.3 million hectoliters in 2002 to 25.6 million in 2018, according to the World Rose Observatory. A record year to date with a production of 26.4 million hectoliters, or 10% of the wines produced in the world. France leads world production with 7.5 million hectoliters in 2018, or 28% of world production of rosé. The United States has, in recent years, surpassed Spain and appears in second place on the podium with 5 million hectoliters produced in 2018. Spain claims 4.4 million hectoliters and mainly offers rosés entry-level, of which France is one of the main importers. Italy maintains its rank among the world’s leading producers of rosé, despite production halved over the past ten years. The “new” producing countries, mainly in the southern hemisphere, the volume produced has increased over the last ten years: multiplied by 2.5 in South Africa, by 4.7 in Chile and from 60 to 180% in Romania , Austria, Hungary, Moldova and Switzerland. In 2019, France exported 38% of its production, which makes it the leading exporter of rosé wine in terms of value. It is also the leading importer of rosé in volume (2.8 million hectoliters) and the third in terms of value. This is explained by the fact that it mainly imports entry-level Spanish rosé wines. Today, four out of 10 bottles of rosé consumed worldwide are imported. Rosés represent 90% of Provence wines, of course and known for that. They are distinguished by their quality much more than by their quantity. In 2018, Provence produced 4.2% of the world volume of rosé, but 12.6% of the value of world trade. But, in terms of volume produced, the first French region is Languedoc(Occitanie), with 320 million bottles, producing twice the size of Provence (PACA) and three times more than the Loire (Centre Val de Loire et Pays de la Loire). In 2019, 46% of French rosé exports are destined for the USA, which is also the leading importer of French wines and spirits. Rosé accounts for only 5% of wine consumption in the United States, compared to 26% in France. American tariff laws on French products had a big impact on wine imports, a drop of 3% was recorded for rosés from Provence. France exports 14% of its rosé to the United Kingdom, which comes in second place for imports of French rosé. Brexit could nevertheless have an impact. Germany concentrates 5% of French rosé exports. This country is today the third importer as well as the third consuming country, with 6% of world consumption. China is today the third customer of French wines. Indeed, rosé in China, and in several other countries, is still associated with a rather young and feminine public and with an average quality compared to Champagne for example. In Australia, rosé consumption is very low in 2018, with only 0.5 liters consumed per capita . France being Australia’s second largest supplier of wine, one can only imagine a development in demand for French rosé wines. More info on the World Rose Observatory here: World Rose Wines Observatory
Washington announced Thursday, August 13, a six-month extension of the 25% customs tax on the import of French wine and other European products. In effect since October 18, 2019, this “Trump tax” had the effect of increasing the customs tariffs on French and European wines of less than 14% alcohol to 25%. The first affected are the most modest winegrowers who have invested heavily in the American market. Where is free trade!
After a first wave at the very beginning of August 2020 on the Mediterranean rim and in Corsica, the grape harvests are launched everywhere in France. Last on the starting line, the winemakers of the Loire Valley and Alsace will harvest next week. in the Loire Valley, where the harvest will start in a few days with chardonnay, melon de Bourgogne, and Crémants of Anjou and Touraine, everywhere else, the harvest has started!! Be ready or be square!!!
You know the Domaine Ferret entered into the Burgundian bosom of the Louis Jadot house in 2008, the Ferret estate was created in 1840. In 1936, it was taken over by Jeanne, the wife of Jean Ferret, son of the founder, who embarked on plot selection. , insulating in particular Les Perrières, being avant-garde in Pouilly when it bottles directly at the estate. It establishes a hierarchy modeled on the Grands Crus of Burgundy with the mentions “tête de cru” and “hors classe” on certain cuvées. has set itself the goal of converting the 18-hectare vineyard spread over more than 50 plots to biodynamics. Pale yellow with green reflections, luminous to the eye, Les Perrières 2018 smells of citrus, smoky, minerality. This ample wine is perfectly balanced between fruity roundness and lemony tension, with a long, very fresh and salivating finish. See it at the Domaine J. A. Ferret, Tête de Cru, Les Perrières 2018, Pouilly-Fuissé white, www.Domaine-ferret.com
From Bouzeron to Montagny, via Rully, Mercurey, Givry, the variety and potential of the Côte Chalonnaise terroirs is well established. This vineyard is not yet a star, but it deserves more than a detour I know was there from the start of the boom staying in Buxy. The definition of the Côte Chalonnaise still seems a little vague to you, let us quote a few village appellations: Mercurey, Rully, Givry, etc. Perhaps then your taste buds will wake up. As for its geographical location, nothing rocket science either: conscientiously extend the Côte de Beaune to the south. The variety and potential of its terroirs is well established. From north to south, I can cite the Bouzeron appellations, whose role in the renewal of the Aligoté (great for the Kir! ) grape variety is noteworthy. Then Rully, which offers whites of character and reds with greedy fruity notes, Mercurey, where the reds are predominant and consistent (indeed). Generally solid wines, which contrast with the elegance and silky feel of a Givry. Finally, the coast stops at Montagny, land of gourmet Chardonnays! An area to be more for sure. More info here: https://www.bourgogne-wines.com/our-wines-our-terroir/our-vineyards/the-cote-chalonnaise-and-couchois/the-cote-chalonnaise-and-the-couchois-historical-winegrowing-terroir,2472,9316.html?
Some tips to follow ok from a connaisseur diplômé of France and Spain. Yours truly! Red wine is drunk with meat and white with fish. Champagne ? Of course as an aperitif or for dessert . You’ve probably heard this many times already. Known above all as an aperitif, Champagne also goes very well with dishes. I advise you to pair it with white-fleshed fish or even poultry. In this case, I advise you to opt for a Blanc de Blancs, go for it if you are a lover of mild cheeses, such as Brie or Camembert. White wine also goes very well with cheese. Same fight as for Champagne, opt for mild cheeses. The sweetness of a fresh goat cheese goes very well with a fresh and fruity white wine. All fish will go perfectly with wines with little tannin or with very melted tannins. Special mention for old wines made from Pinot Noir. Indeed, as it ages, the wine develops smoother and more subtle tannins. Enjoy it and get rid of the clichés!
The temptation to trust the prices ! Medals rarely provide a guarantee. The wines presented are far from being the most remarkable of the appellations, and often come from large productions. That of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is in my view the only credible one. Why? Because only tasting professionals are authorized to participate, the wines that come out often offer real interest in terms of character, and definition. Be careful of too low prices. These wines are, as it were, from unknown appellations. These are the low prices, less than 5 euros. Distrust, these are rarely good deals. Often wines from merchants, or branded wines, they have stocks to sell. But; also at too high prices. Very great wines, such as Petrus, Yquem, la Turque, Margaux, Latour, Ausone, Rayas, and so many others certainly do not need to be found on the shelves of wine fairs. to propose them in order to enhance their offer. For fun, and for glory. Because, do not dream, you will certainly not do good business with these wines. Simply, they are selling for a high price, across the world.
And some ideas on recent vintages as a general guide always.
The 2011 vintage was complicated to manage for the winegrowers. A summer spring, a very average summer, difficult conditions that despite everything allowed, paradoxically to the ‘cold’ soils, to have good maturities, with the winegrowers who will have done the sorting work throughout the summer. The hot soils have had more difficulty; nevertheless here again, the serious, diligent winegrowers have managed to bring in fine juices. An atypical vintage, but charming…
The 2012 vintage will certainly offer a little more structure compared to 2011, but there again, a certain heterogeneity. In places, the Merlot has reached good maturity. The most careful winegrowers will stand out, sorting work was necessary. Not a vintage for great aging, but it will bring the advantage of being able to prove to be quite easy and readable in the years to come.
The 2013 vintage remains complicated, with maturities often difficult to achieve, making them approachable wines after a few years of aging, the frameworks are not always generous.
The 2014 vintage offers a certain heterogeneity, but some wines turn out to be pretty, denser than the previous vintage, we will have to look for the few nuggets.
The 2015 vintage is more generous, complete, and above all more homogeneous. This is undoubtedly possible a vintage to cellar, even if in some appellations the temptation will be great to drink them young, on their fruit. Very nice vintage ,the one that will undoubtedly be favored, as far as possible.
The 2016, very good promises to keep, but it is a little too early to say … but something tells me that it will be a vintage in line with the remarkable 2010!
The 2017 is a successful vintage overall, sometimes extremely brilliant among some of the most serious winegrowers. A beautiful triptych 2015 – 2016 and 2017, definitely!
The 2018 is very good vintage. Indeed, this year benefited from a wet spring and a very beautiful summer . The harvest were therefore, both quantitative and qualitative.
And the, 2019 an excellent vintage. This is the result of favorable weather conditions, a dry summer, rather cool nights and some rains in early September. Generally speaking, it left on time and arrived the same. Many have imagined that with the very sunny periods that we have experienced, this vintage would be closer to 2003 or 2009, warm, generous.
The 160th Hospices de Beaune wine auction has the second best result in its history!!! The 160th Hospices de Beaune Wine Sale, which took place last December 13, 2020 in a strict sanitary framework, achieved excellent results. The Grande Halle de Beaune was able to accommodate 170 people, 80 of which had bidding panels. During this sale, the estate offered 474 pieces of red wine and 156 pieces of white wine. With the Presidents’ Piece and the spirits (9 pieces), the entire sale totals the second best result for the sale of the Domaine des Hospices de Beaune. Nine new records were recorded in average prices. This year, the Hospices de Beaune had chosen to devote the funds raised by the Presidents’ Piece to hospital staff in France and their families directly affected by the epidemic via La Fédération hospitalière de France, supported by Marc Lavoine. Great initiative and cause well deserving. For this anniversary edition, the Hospices de Beaune put on sale a unique 228-liter charity piece: Clos de la Roche Grand Cru. The sale allowed the Hospital Federation of France to collect the total sum of 780,000 euros.
And I leave with some thoughts on wines by greater men !!!
“In victory, you deserve Champagne. In defeat you need it.” Napoleon Bonaparte
“Beer is made by men, wine by God.” Martin Luther
“The discovery of a wine is of greater moment than the discovery of a constellation. The universe is too full of stars.” Benjamin Franklin
“Wine is the most healthful and most hygienic of beverages.” Louis Pasteur
“Wine is the most civilized thing in the world”. Ernest Hemingway
“Wine… the intellectual part of the meal”. Alexandre Dumas
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 this post on the Wines news of France 2019 no I to 2020 !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 