Bordeaux Wine 2020 in nutshell

Currently in Bordeaux we are tasting the baby vintage of 2020 from the barrel. The best are very good and these are not only from the classified growths. Some unfortunately fell into the old trap of extracting too much in a dry hot summer with thick skins and not much juice. What style is 2020? …

Hooray – France opens its doors!

From June 9th France reopens its doors to all travellers who have been vaccinated against Covid. Restaurants will also be fully open - you just have to be home for 11pm! (curfew ends 19 June) This fun-loving, pleasure addict country will be back on its feet! We have missed you all! - link to French …

La Tour of St Emilion – Balestard la Tonnelle, ready and waiting…

We all know a wine property named after its famous tower (Latour) in Pauillac on the Left bank way up in the Haut Médoc wine country. Well here is another one but on the Right Bank, in fact in walking distance of the famous medieval village of St Emilion. The famous tower or Tonnelle of …

When Vines cry…

It is always an emotional moment at this time of year when we see in the vineyards the glistening tears of the vines ('les pleurs') that tell us that the new vintage is underway. As the temperatures rise so does the sap in the vines and where the pruners have trimmed the end of the …

Whispering Wines – “What makes Bordeaux wine so special?”

In a world where it seems who talks loudest is most heard, I wanted to explore "What makes Bordeaux wine so special?" It was my old boss Peter Sichel's father, Allan, a few years ago, who I think best summed up for me what is remarkable about the region's wines (in a charming if somewhat …

Bordeaux Book Sip by Sip by Nicolle Croft

a personal story over 30 years, wine guide to visiting what is important in the region and finding good value in this exceptional wine terroir. Gail Barnett Copyright Its been 30 years since I arrived on the quayside in Bordeaux city, weary from my travels in this funny tin can of a car (a 2CV) …

Whats new in Bordeaux – look to the dynamic Small Châteaux

Despite its crusty past image, Bordeaux today is full of fresh ideas as a younger generation are holding the reins and directing the wines made in Bordeaux in a different direction. It is the small independent producers (who I call the SIPs - see my book Bordeaux Sip by Sip Editions Sud Ouest) who are …

Moulis, neighbour of Margaux – great go-to for value

Just take a right turn off the Route des Châteaux (the D2) once you have passed through the famous wine village of Margaux. With its undulating vineyard clad hills and forests this little enclave of 600 hectares (one of Bordeaux's smallest) with only 35 producers is worth the small detour. There's a cute little maison …

A Sea of Wine Guides? launch of a new network to find the best

100% experts, 100% wine, 100% local I am pleased to announce the creation of new network of specialist wine guides which I am proud to be a part of: My Local Wine Guide! Passionate wine experts trained in wine or coming from a family of winemakers, local (or adopted) who know their 'territory' better than anyone …

History and Science at Château Grand Corbin Despagne

Historically it was the robust oxen that  worked the dense blue clay soils in the vineyards here in the north western corner of St Emilion and over the border into Pomerol. Horses were too fragile for the job, explained François Despagne, who has run the family estate of Château Grand Corbin Despagne, St Emilion Grand …