Right bank first to present the new vintage of 2009

Alcohol and sugar the main problems for 2009 The "Cercle de Rive Droite" (40 properties from St Emilion Grand cru to Bordeaux Superieur) presented their wines to the trade and press at the beginning of March in the French Ambassador's residence in Kensington, London. The wines were well received with attractive perfume, good concentrated fruit …

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CIVB Recap of Weather conditions for 2009 Bordeaux vintage

As the Bordeaux  "Primeurs" approach (first week of April) here is a recap of the weather conditions experienced to produce what is already being called the vintage of the century> Need to wait for the world's trade and press including Parker's verdicts of what they find in the glass...... Yields for sure are small again …

Hail hits vineyards in Bordeaux

Some  hot and humid weather was followed by electric storms on Tuesday 12th May at about four in the morning in Bordeaux and environs. Hail stones as large as golf stones ravaged the vineyards in St Emilion, Graves, Blaye  and Margaux. The young buds, just becoming well established and in the areas worst hit the vines …

Napa Women Winemakers exchange with Bordeaux

Last week Bordeaux played host to a group of fifteen women winemakers and vineyard owners from the Napa Valley including Heidi Barrett the winemaker for the cult wine Screaming Eagle. It was infact the return trip of a group of 'women in wine'from Bordeaux who visited the most coveted new world vineyard in January of …

Chateau d’Yquem – not just a dessert wine

Lunch in the Chateau d'Yquem, 15th January, 2009 hosted by Sandrine Garbay, Winemaker and Cellar Master at Chateau d'Yquem, Superior Premier Cru Classe to celebrate the exchange of women winemakers between the Napa Valley and Bordeaux (11th to 15th January 2009) Aperitif: Y 2005 Chateau d'Yquem 2004 to accompany Roast Lobster with blood orange emulsion …

Twelve Bordeaux Women winemakers present their wines to Napa Women Winemakers

At the Maison des Vins de Saint-Emilion  on 14 janvier 2009 I 'animated' a tasting of twelve wines. It was no ordinary tasting as twelve women winemakers from all over Bordeaux presented their wines 'face to face' to a group of 15 women winemakers from the Napa Valley. The wines ranged in style from dry …

Bordeaux Harvest 2008 Roundup

The temperatures are mild and the sunshine is still around with brief rainfalls. The 2008 red harvest has started in the Bordeaux vineyards. For those who have carried out leaf pulling and grape thinning there is not too much rot. The grapes are sweet and should naturally give around the 12.5% alcohol that the producers are …

Bordeaux BBQ Wines!

If I hold my arms up in the air and make the biggest circle I can clasping my hands together - this is the size of the entrecote cooked on an open fire in the garden of Yves-Dominique and Laura Pages. Yves is a specialist in all things wonderful to eat and sells fine wines …

Here to stay!: Enthroned in the ancient Wine Guild of Cotes de Bourg

I was asked out of the blue if I would like to be 'intronised' by the Connetablie de Guyenne de Cotes de Bourg for my work in promoting the region's wines. Being 'enthroned' by an ancient wine guild - sounded too interesting an opportunity to miss out on. Not knowing what I was getting myself into, …

Medal Winning Wines: Does it mean anything?

Saturday April 12th and the day started at 8.30 in Bourg sur Gironde on the right bank of the Gironde at the Challenge International du Vin's 32nd competition of judging international wines, France's oldest international wine competiton. This year there were over 5000 entries from 35 countries and 900 tasters to judge the wines. I was one …