2023 vintage perfect introduction to Today’s Bordeaux

What a pleasure and joy to taste such fresh, vibrant wines full of fruit and relatively supple tannins considering their baby stage. 2023 is an excellent vintage if you want to know what Bordeaux is about - and the prices are supposedly coming down to jumpstart the market. Now is the time to get into …

David and Goliath in the Vineyards of St Estèphe

I have always been attracted to the vineyard, wines and family set up of Haut Marbuzet in the far away lands of St Estephe as outsiders into this traditional closed world where vineyards are inherited over generations. Over the years I have heard snippets of the family's fabulous 'underdog' story comes good and have recounted …

Best value Brandy in the world

Armagnac - Bordeaux's best kept secret One hour and a half's drive down motorway south of Bordeaux city and you arrive in an unspoilt region that seems to have escaped the pressures of modern life. Time feels different down here when you taste, if it was a common occurrence, brandy made 30, 50 or 70 …

2023 Bordeaux Vintage – nice quality and quantity

Forget the extremes of the very hot and dry 2022 vintage and its concentration, 2023 was a vintage (if one was able to combat the big risk of mildew which destroyed hopes of many) where at harvest vignerons heaved a big sigh of relief to see relatively good quantities and nice juicy fruity wines (not …

Starting to get Tense – the annual risk of late frost in the Bordeaux Vineyards

Its beautiful in the sunshine here in Bordeaux. It almost feels like Spring with temperatures around 15°C in the sunny afternoons. Its not good for the ski season as there is no snow and its the school holidays. Nor is it good for nature as the plants are feeling the pull of the warmth of …

Introducing the SIP Wine Club

With the growth in wine tourism in Bordeaux, wine writer and guide Nicolle Croft launches  « SIP » a wine tour company based in Bordeaux specializing in promoting, through wine tourism, the Small Independent Producers in the region. Over thirty years I have searched out wonderful wines that are authentic and great value often just falling on the wrong …

The Best of St Emilon’s Restaurants and which Château to go winetasting visits

Here is some information on the best places to visit in St Emilion. ST EMILION;  For your day in St Emilion, Château Canon la Gaffelière is a wonderful comprehensive visit, you can book here http://www.neipperg.com/fr/visiter.html (or email Emily Emilie Remond <emilie@neipperg.com>,  it is a premier grand cru classé and the family have different properties with …

Corporate Wine Trip Experiences in Bordeaux

# Team building & incentive Every successful manager is trying to motivate his team with new and creative ideas. What best way to help a team come together or congratulate them, than a wine trip. Bordeaux offers an exceptional range of opportunities to discover or deepen peoples knowledge about wine. In one of the most …

Spring Food & Wine Retreat with Yann Florio Private chef in Bordeaux’s countryside

The ideal retreat for all lovers of fine food and wine this Spring in the beautiful countryside of Duras (not far from St Emilion). Have you ever dreamed of relaxing in your own château, lost in the rolling vineyard-clad hills of Bordeaux? And with your own private chef to cater to your every culinary whim? Well …

2022 vintage – its in the barrels!

The 1982 was legendary but since the vintages ending with a two have been classical - 2002 actually currently drinking well (not as classy as the beautiful 2001) and 2012 gorgeous harmony and silkiness but light bodied fresh and classy (perfect christmas drinking by the way if you come across any). Smaller Cabernet berry and …