Category — News Elsewhere

Bordeaux Index specialises in trading in the fine wine end of the market, a rarified zone which few of us get a chance to explore. The nearest I have reached was a tasting of some top St Emilion Grand Cru vintages which was unforgettable (and unaffordable!)

Wine enthusiasts sometimes look a little askance at wine investors - savouring the monetary value of the wine rather than the delights of it as a drink - although there is probably an element of envy in that. I have known several customers with impressive and expensive cellars who do get at least as much pleasure from drinking the odd bottle, as they do from the investment angle (and from lovingly admiring the rows of bottles in their cellar). But lets not forget that the value of any particular bottle rests in large measure on how the wine tastes - judged by fine palates who can assess how the wine will develop in the bottle over decades. Hence Bordeaux Index will be incorporating Michael Shuster’s Wine School, which brings together these complementary aspects of the extraordinary liquids contained in fine wine bottles.

Bordeaux Index is delighted to announce that from September 2008, Michael Schuster will be moving his famous wine school to our offices in Hatton Garden. Michael has helped to design the specialist tasting facilities on the top floor of our new building, where his school will be run from….. .Bordeaux Index prides itself on an unstuffy approach to fine wine selection and investment, demystifying the wine buying process for its clients and continuing to deliver expert advice in a straightforward way.

Michael Shuster’s book Essential Winetasting: The Complete Practical Winetasting Course (Mitchell Beazley Drink)is based on his courses, won all three major British wine book awards for the Best Drink Book 2000: The Andre Simon, Glenfiddich and the Prix du Champagne Lanson awards.

For more information on Bordeaux Index and Michael Shusters Wine School - see www.bordeauxindex.com

Just to put things into context, here’s a few facts and figues from Bordeaux Index:-

Our most popular wine for investment in 2008: Mouton Rothschild 1982 (£11,000 per case of 12 in bond)

Our most expensive bottle of wine: 1990 La Romanée-Conti - DRC; £8,000,in bond

Our most expensive bottle of champagne: 1995 Krug Clos D’Ambonnay -£1,995, in bond

The wine region to watch in 2008: Champagne

Busiest time of year for wine market: Spring/Autumn

Biggest annual spend for a client: £2million plus

Liquid Assets: Uncorking Profits in Today’s Global Wine Market

Cadman Fine Wines has two new exciting releases timed just right for the summer.

Firstly a Pouilly Fumé from Tinel-Blondelet (a cracker, exhibiting super aromas of gun smoke backed up by moreish citrussy flavours. Quite simply, Loire sauvignon at it’s best. The mouthwatering 2006 vintage is drinking absolutely beautifully right now.)
And from the much heralded Domaine Fondreche (in the Cotes de Ventoux, Provence) things just keep getting better and better. “Well known for its production of great value spicy reds, we are now delighted to be able to offer a wonderful little gem of a rosé: the l’Instant, 2007 - offering delightful strawberries and cream aromas with a little spice and minerality adding interest - a classic, vibrant southern French Rose”
“Fondreche…a source of sensational wines that still sell for incredibly fair prices…Shrewd consumers should have been stocking up on these wines for a number of years as they represent terrific values.” Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

The choice is yours, but at these sizzling summer prices, with savings of up to £24 per case off the Pouilly-Fumé , it really would be a shame to miss out on either of these gems…

For more info see Cadman Fine Wines
Domaine de Fondreche
Domaine Tinel-Blondelet

CAMRA’s (Campaign for Real Ale) Kent Beer Festival takes places from 17-19 July 2008 on a farm near Canterbury. With over 130 real ales and ciders, including foreign beers, music, food and a family area this looks to be a fun, and well-organised event for beer lovers.

“Beer on the farm” is the unofficial motto of the Kent Beer Festival, which is held in a large barn on a working farm just outside the city of Canterbury.

Kent has a rich brewing heritage and you’ll find beers from all ten Kent breweries grouped together on the left-hand side of the barn. Other British beers are on offer at the other two bars. As well as real ale, the Kent Beer Festival also sells real cider and a wide range of mainly bottled foreign beers.

For more info see www.kentbeerfestival.co.uk

Zelas wines are offering a free open-door tasting of low-sulphur wines from France and Spain on Saturday 19 July 2008 at Wine of Course in London N6.

What do we mean by natural wine? A natural wine is a wine made without adjustments of acidity and micro-oxygenation in small quantities from had-picked organically grown. If sulphur dioxide is added, it will be only in very small quantities. Most natural wines are made without the addition of sulphur dioxide at any point. Natural wines are more suitable for people who suffer from allergic and intolerant reactions to wine - asthma, migraine, respiratory or skin disorders. etc.

A red natural wine contains no more than 10 mg/l total sulphur and 25 mg/l total sulphur, if white. Low sulphite wine, low sulfite, low sulphur dioxide.

There is an evident trend towards organic wines throughout Europe, especially with increasing EU legislation, and in response to consumer demand. My approach has always been to be a little wary of buying wines just because they are “organic” - I still search out good wines, and if they happen to be “organic” then that is a bonus.

Interestingly sulphur dioxide is generally regarded as “natural” products, and even organic production allows its use as a preservative and disinfectant. Because of its affinity for oxygen it is good at preventing oxidation, and it kills off wild yeasts and ensures that fermentation stops when the winemaker determines. Virtually all winemakers will use sulphur dioxide, but increasingly winemakers are trying to ensure that all such interventions are kept to a minimum, especially as some consumers can be quite sensitive to traces of SO₂ in wine. Whilst Suphur dioxide is probably one cause of headaches after drinking wine, I suspect that tannins and other constituents (especially in red wine) are also guilty - so I suspect that just because a wine is low-sulphur you should not assume that you can drink it with impunity. Reactions to wine can be very individual - I know of people who react badly to Pinot Noir or Gewurztraminer, but can happily imbibe a heavy Chateauneuf-du-Pape or Rioja!

It should prove an interesting tasting and it would be great if it demonstrates that good. big, substantial wines can be made with low sulhur dioxide.

For more info see www.zelas.co.uk

Terry Kirby in the Independent (14 July 2008) selects his top 10 rosés and includes an interesting sparkling rosé from Ridgeview Vineyards in Sussex - the rather splendidly named Ridgeview Merret Fitzrovia (£19.00): “Made on the Sussex downs, using traditional Champagne grapes and methods, this stunning, sophisticated wine demonstrates how English producers canmatch anything the French can do. Perfect for summer celebrations.”

Ridgeview names its ranges after central London districts, hence Bloomsbury, Belgravia, Pimlico etc. They are rightly proud of their production, and Champagne-style wines are potentially ideal for UK vineyards - they are confident enough to arrange a blind tasting and comparison of Ridgeview vs major Champagne brands - contact them for details of the event on Tuesday 9 September 2008. For more info see www.ridgeview.co.uk

The other rosés in the selection included France, Australia, South Africa, Italy and Portugal.

St Chinian in the Languedoc is not best known for its rosés, but Majestic Wine’s Chateau Cazal Viel Vieux Vignes - “big bold flavours” £6.49 (or £5.49 if you buy two or more); Tasmania offers another sparkler with the Pinot Noir based Clover Hill Brut Rosé from Oddbins - “a lovely salmon-pink and is packed with delicate fruit flavours” (£16.99 or £14.15 if you buy 6);

OK, so its not a real vineyard, but a clever marketing campaign to promote an Australian wine label - and it looks rather good.

McGuigan is one of Australia’s most celebrated wineries and we are creating a vineyard in the heart of London to share some of our wines with you. Situated next to Liverpool Street Station it offers you a wonderfully convenient opportunity to kick off your shoes and stroll amongst some lush 50 year-old vines.

Taste through our range of delicious wines, brush up on your wine-tasting skills with our expert winemakers and meet the man behind the wine - Brian McGuigan.

From 9-11 July 2008 the “vineyard” is open to the public - I have always thought that except in winter, vines can be very decorative, and can certainly improve the concrete and glass dominated landscapes of our business districts. For more info see www.mcguigancityvineyard.co.uk

The idea was first tried out in Sydney, Australia and generated a lot of attention - especially from those who had not seen vines before, and from those interested in doing a bit of tasting.

Mc Guigan wines come from Australia and are geared to introduce customers to the range of wine styles which Australia can produce.

In the UK York Wines (amongst others) stocks the McGuigan range - which includes a Gewurztraminer/Riesling blend - The Australian - Medium Sweet White Wine - If you are still a fan of sweetish German wines you will love this - there are so few actually Medium Sweet wines available these days.
This wine has the rich aromatic sweetness of the Gewurztraminer grape blended with the strikingly fruity £5.95

The wines of the Italian island of Sardinia are less well-known in the UK, so for a top opportunity to taste some of these wines you should book in for a Newcastle-Upon-Tyne tasting hosted by specialist merchants Italy Abroad:-

Italyabroad.com brings you the best wine and food Sardinia can offer in one of the best Italian restaurants in Newcastle.
Menu
On arrival: Vermentino di Sardegna
Starter: Filieri Rosato Cannonau Rosato with Antipasto sardo or Fregala cozze e gamberi
Main: Cannonau Vigna di Isalle with Gnocchi alla sarda or Spezzatino agnello piu’ contorno
To finish; Glass of Grappa di Cannoanu aged
The tasting will be held at Sabatini restaurant on the quayside on the 22nd of July starting at 7.00 pm. Places are limited to 25.

Italy Abroad is based in the North East, and looks to be both informative, knowledgeable and entertaining - everything you might want from an Italian specialist in both food and wine - olive oil, antipasti and the rest. Certainly they meet my criteria for a good merchant - offering something a little different with passion and enthusiasm!! There is tons of good information e.g. who has heard of the Lagrein grape - “The Lagrein, a grape widely planted in Trentino and Alto Adige in the north east of Italy, produces tannic, soft wines with real character and they age well. The grape is also used to produce elegant and fresh rose wines.” With a blog, newsletter and tastings this has to be a must visit site for Italianophobes!

For more info see www.italyabroad.com

Unit 6, Stanfield Business Park, Addison Street, Sunderland SR2 8SZ
Tel/fax 0191 565 4884
E-Mail: info@italyabroad.com

The wine trade is reporting a big increase in the demand for rose (pink) wines.And this is not just for light summery wines or in response to a few good weeks of weather and a peak in picnics.
Rose wines have generally been misunderstood - they are not “compromise” wines for those undecided between red and white; neither are they blends of red and white wines!
Rose wines are generally wines made from red wine grapes which are either pressed only lightly or left in contact with the skins for only a brief period, The skins and pips etc are the source of colour and tannins, and hence rose wines are lighter in colour and tannin.
So, grapes as Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Pinot Noir can make excellent rose wines, full of character, flavour and structure. For example a good rose can be a great match for lamb - not reserved for fish or poultry.

Majestic Wine is running a summer promotion on rose wines from as lttle as £3.79 a bottle for the Argentinian Terra Brisa, a blend of Syrah and Malbec - “A deep pink, fruit driven rosé with aromas of fresh strawberries and cherries. The palate reveals plenty of juicy summer berry fruits with a crisp and elegant finish. This is an ideal summer apéritif. “

Waitrose Wine Online is offering the chance to win 2 tickets to see England vs South Africa at Lords Cricket Ground in London.

Waitrose Wine Online offers 2 Cabernet Sauvignons and 2 Chardonnays from South Australia

Courtesy of Wolf Blass we have 2 pairs of tickets to give away to see the First day of the Forth Test match Cricket between England and South Africa on the 7th August 2008 at the Oval, with overnight accommodation if required.

For more info see www.waitrosewine.com/
Closing date for competition 18th July 2008

Just right for stocking up in the run-up to Christmas, the Wokingham Wine Fair takes place on 6-7 December 2008 - a few miles east of Reading and the M4 in Berkshire.:

The Wokingham Wine Fair brings together members of the ASDW, the Association of Small Direct Wine-Merchants which was formed by a group of British independent small wine merchants directly selling to the general public via mail order and the internet. There are currently around 20 members each of whom is passionate and knowledgeable about wine. We offer customers a specifically selected, interesting and often exclusive range of wines at very reasonable prices. The British public are well served by supermarkets at the lower end (sub £5) of the price range but it is becoming increasingly more difficult to find quality wines as big brand names dominate high street shops and supermarkets.

For more info see www.nickdobsonwines.co.uk

Birmingham hosts Channel 4’s roadshow to showcase the best of food and drink available in the UK from 10-13 July 2008.

Imagine a picnic in a park. Now multiply it by thousands of people. Invite all the best restaurants in the area to contribute the food, and discerning vintners to bring the bottles. Make sure some of the guests are famous chefs happy to help out with cooking hints, and organise live music to eat and drink by. This is a Taste Festival.

Amongst the wine-related exhibitors will be
Bordeaux Wines

Desire du Vin
Domaine Debray

For more info and tickets etc see www.channel4.com

Respected Edinburgh wine merchants Valvona and Crolla are supplying the wines for a 5-course wine tasting and dinner at the VinCaffe bistro:-

Producers of our cult Pinot Grigio(the pink one!) are coming to VinCaffè on the 20 June to host a dinner and wine tasting from their fabulous range of wines. We will be preparing a 5 course meal influenced by the region of Fruili where their wines come from.

Tickets cost £45 per person for tasting and dinner Contact Vincaffe, 11 Multrees Walk, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ Tel: 0131 557 0088

Bath is the location from Channel 4’s roadshow to showcase the best of food and drink available in the UK from 3-6 July 2008.

Imagine a picnic in a park. Now multiply it by thousands of people. Invite all the best restaurants in the area to contribute the food, and discerning vintners to bring the bottles. Make sure some of the guests are famous chefs happy to help out with cooking hints, and organise live music to eat and drink by. This is a Taste Festival.

Amongst the wine-related exhibitors will be
Badminton Wines
Great Western Wines
Wines of South Africa
Bordeaux Wines
Wines of Chile

The Bristol Wine and Food Fair runs from 11th-13th July 2008 on Bristol Harbourside

an exciting new three day event celebrating wine, fine dining and good food….Taste over 100’s of wines from all over the world, for free. Buy by the glass, bottle or case.
Learn from the experts at wine and cheese tutored tastings, pick up handy tips from inspirational chefs, sample signature dishes from top local restaurants and buy produce from the region’s acclaimed food, drink and cheese producers.

More than 35 wine producers, importers and merchants will welcome you to explore the world of wine and unravel some of its mysteries. It’s a golden opportunity to meet experts face to face, ask questions and sample some great wines in a relaxed environment. You will be able to choose from a massive range of different wine types and styles, to suit all tastes and budgets, allowing you to sample before you buy.

Within the wine fair we will have over 15 winegrowers and wine makers representing themselves from the UK, France and Spain.

You need to purchase tickets @£5 for either an afternoon or evening session. You can buy wine by the bottle or case, with a collection area or cheap home delivery.

Amongst the exhibitors will be an organic wine specialist,  local organic vineyards. some of the best local wine merchants, French vineyards (Bordeaux and Languedoc), a Chilean producer and many more.

For more info see www.bristolwineandfoodfair.co.uk

Channel 4’s roadshow to showcase the best of food and drink available in the UK moves to London’s Regents Park for 19-22 June 2008:

Imagine a picnic in a park. Now multiply it by thousands of people. Invite all the best restaurants in the area to contribute the food, and discerning vintners to bring the bottles. Make sure some of the guests are famous chefs happy to help out with cooking hints, and organise live music to eat and drink by. This is a Taste Festival.

Amongst the wine-related exhibitors will be

Wine & Spirit Education Trust

Wines of Argentina

Wines of South Africa

Lovely Bubbly

NZ Wine Distribution Co

Freixenet

Fitou Mont Tauch

Champagne Devaux

Chateau Select

Bordeaux Wines