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 …

A Taste of Genuine Saint Emilion

"as it is" -  ‘sans poudre aux yeux’ From the village of Saint-Emilion, head towards Pomerol, pass Cheval Blanc and turn right.” Easy to drive past, a small sign in front of a wooded driveway tells us we have safely arrived at the home of Jean-Noël Boidron, Château Corbin Michotte, Grand Cru Saint-Emilion. It is …

Global Warming: what does it mean for the future of the world’s vines and wine?

The planet is getting warmer. The National Academy of Sciences in a recent report says  “the impacts of climate change on viticultural suitability are substantial”. Michel Chapoutier does not agree; " 'When the study says temperature may rise between 1 and 2 degrees, we have  already had vintages where that happened. In 2003 or 2005 for …

World Wine Consumption Trends: Old World versus new

This graph from http://www.businessinsider.com is a little out of date but shows clearly the trends and differences in per capita consumption. A more up-to-date picture is painted by  recent Vinexpo study. Here are a few of the key points; Global wine consumption is predicted to reach 34.1 billion bottles by 2015 In both markets, per …

Robert M Parker responds to the tsunami of interest and speculation via Twitter

@RobertMParker "Big news with new investors... never thought it  I would have this much attention...I've had investors since 2001 to help me with the business and technology...this will bring great things to subscribers like:  a pdf :), virtual tastings, icon wine program, wine education seminars...eventually expanded coverage including new emerging areas...headquarters REMAINS in Monkton but …

Top Ten Champagne Houses in terms of global wine sales

None of my personal favorites; (independents Louis Roederer, Pol Roger, Bollinger)...but here are the top ten biggies in terms of global sales from The Drinks Business 1.Moet et Chandon 2. Veuve Cliquot 3.Nicolas Feuillete 4. GH Mumm 5. Laurent Perrier 6. Piper Hiedsiek 7. Tattinger 8. Pommery 9. Lanson 10. Perrier Jouet http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2012/09/top-10-champagnes/11/

Burgundy 2012: Aubert de Villaine – Quickfooted succeeded

"A harvest like the one we have just completed makes us even more aware, if that were necessary, of the importance of gambling - and luck - in the success or failure of a vintage." A detailed vintage report (via Jancisrobinson.com) from Aubert de Villaine (co-owner and director of Domaine Romanée Conti the 4.5 acre vineyard of …

The Master of Wine; The world’s toughest tasting exam with 20% pass-rate

Painful dissecting of the Master of Wine tasting exam by Richard Hemming (works with Jancis Robinson), one of the 18 out of 92 contenders who passed the exam this year. Not yet a fully fledged Master of Wine, Richard has to complete a discertation to achieve this honour and become one of the 300 MWs in …

Up-and-Coming Changes to French Appellation Rules

Jacques Gautier, Regional Director of the INAO for the Gironde The principal concept of being part of an appellation in France involves  having a ‘typicity’ from a particular region which raises these particular products above the standard. This includes both naturally occurring factors such as soil and micro-climate and factors that are man-made eg particular …