The Lucky Grapes of 2021 Bordeaux Harvest

Wine producers are at least happy to have some grapes (the small quantity they had) in the vats after a disappointing harvest. The strong jammy aromas of blackcurrant and cherry waft around the wineries and we could almost be convinced it is a normal time of year. The crimson colour is being extracted from the …

Harvest Recap Bordeaux 2020

Many celebrated the 'gerbaude' end of harvest (in a restrained covid-aware way) the last week of September, so relieved that in this challenging year of adversity at least something has gone well - a full two weeks before the usual celebrations. Of course it is too early to say but the wines of 2020 are …

A Secret St Emilion Grand Cru: A perfect SIP!

Franck Moureau represents the ninth generation of the same family to make wine at Château Béard La Chapelle, St Emilion Grand Cru located in a little valley just outside of the famous village of St Emilion. He is a perfect example of a SIP, a Small, Independent Producer (www.wineguidebordeaux.com/SIP-wine-club). A great location but as the …

The Secret Side of St Emilion

Discovering the Real St Emilion - the Secret ‘in-side’ of a wine village By Nicolle Croft (first published in the Gilbert & Gaillard International Magazine) St Emilion is probably one of the most well-known wines in the world. Registered by UNESCO since 1999 as one of the World’s heritage sites, the medieval village which lies …

2013 Bordeaux Harvest – Nature enforced earlier than hoped

Everyone had their ideal date this year to harvest. For most it was 14th October. Nature had another idea in mind! Most started at least one week to ten days before their optimum. The actual start was Monday 30th September enforced by nature (some even the weekend before) to get as much of the Merlots in before the …

SIP your way around Bordeaux in the beautiful vineyards of Fronsac!

With a panoramic view over the vineyards in the rather overlooked wine region of Fronsac, Nicolle Croft opens her new tasting room to promote in particular the wines of the many 'petits châteaux' in the region of Bordeaux. Fronsac is one of Bordeaux's prettiest wine regions with its vine covered hills and views over its rivers …

Lost in London – France’s Small Independent Wine Producers

The UK market is saturated with wine, surprising really with the second-highest duty in the EU (behind Ireland) at £1.90 per bottle (an increase of 46% in the last 4 years). Add VAT and it totals £2.40 per bottle. It is a very difficult market to enter, particularly if you are a small producer on your own. The smaller independent …

Bordeaux 2012: let’s see what we have

Franck Moureau, Château Béard La Chapelle, St Emilion Grand Cru, tasting his 12 vats Aromas of black fruits, deep colour, good acidity (will reduce after malolactic fermentation)...tannins to come The grape juice has now turned into wine which is slowly extracting the tannins, aromatics and colour from the skins. Now is the time for lots …

Bordeaux 2012 Vintage: Record Rainfall and not much sun for the holiday-makers

The school holidays have started in France and those that holiday in July known as the  'juilletistes' are on the roads heading for their holiday destinations. Temperatures soared on Saturday one of the busiest on the roads in the French calender, but the day ended in torrential downpours for most. For the past few weeks …

Bordeaux Harvest 2011 in the vats; a good year for good vignerons but no hat-trick

2011 is going to be a good year for producers who have been diligent through the year and reactive during harvest. It will not be another 2009 and 2010 but closer to 2006 in quality. Some producers express relief saying that the market could not withstand another "exceptional" year with "exceptional" prices. The grapes have …