The WineBeerExpress.com Blog

The 2009 harvest will be characterized by quality over quantity. A common theme applies throughout the growing regions of the World, fewer grapes but better quality!

 France
For French producers, who are used to dealing with difficult weather, “know-how” is synonymous with distinction. To date, the crop looks promising in almost every region, although the production of French wine will be down. While this harvest will not live up to the extraordinary 2005 vintage, 2009 should still be a typical year.

Italy
Although production will be down slightly in Italy, this year’s harvest will still be abundant. Italian wine producers are generally very satisfied with prospects for the harvest, which appears to be exceptional, and are no longer obsessed with becoming world leaders in production. Rumors are circulating that this will be the best harvest  of the last 10 years. White wines look like they will be better than in 2008, while the reds will be intense in colour, elegant and structured.

Spain
A decrease in production this year does not seem problematic for Spain, as the country has a considerable surplus of wine in stock. This will help Spanish wine producers reintegrate the international market based on quality rather than quantity.

Rioja was the first Spanish wine region to obtain DO status in 1925. In 1991, it was promoted to DOCa (Qualified Designation of Origin), a higher category reserved for wines maintaining a proven consistency and quality over a long period of time.

Rioja is known primarily for its reds though it also makes some whites and rosés. Most bodegas still use their own formulas for blending red wines with at least three grapes, the most important of which is Tempranillo the noblest of the native Spanish vines. This grape gives the wines their elegance, concentration of aromas and complexity of flavours. It is this, as well as oak ageing, which gives the wines such personality and individuality.

The desire of producers in the Rioja to reaffirm their aspiration for excellence has contributed to their the consolidation of an image of prestige among consumers and has made them a reference for Spanish wines worldwide. The development of productive and commercial structures in the Rioja and the prestige attained by their wines has also positioned the area among the elite in historical European denominations of origin. Rioja is now one of the five best-known and most prestigious wine-producing regions of the world. And our Marques de Grinon Rioja Tempranillo from one of the top winery in the region is now on promotion with a 20% discount!

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Wine Futures (also known as “en primeur”) is basically the process of buying wine after it is made for the vintage year, but before it is actually bottled. This has become a very lucrative and sometimes debatable way to purchase wine. None the less it has shaped wine culture, as we know it today.

Cask samples of the wine are usually made available to members of the trade – journalists, wine buyers, wholesalers, etc, during the spring following the vintage. Over a several week period the wines are tasted and scrutinised, while the trade waits to see how the château will fix the prices for the year. The wine is the bottled and shipped approximately two years later.

In top vintages, buying en primeur offers the buyer the opportunity to see the most return on their investment. Usually, the initial price at the time of release is the lowest price at which the wine will ever be sold. However, this can also be very risky for many reasons, especially unless you know exactly where your wine is coming from.

The 2008 en primeur prices have just been set and there is quite a difference of opinion. Some say that this is one of the best vintages seen in the last century! I think that is a rather bold statement when considering the likes of 1945 and ’61, or even 2000 and 2005. It was also the latest harvest ever in both the Left and Right Banks with some growers picking up until 24th October. However, from what I’ve seen I’m willing to give it the benefit of the doubt.

That being said, we are now in one of the most difficult economic times of recent history. Whether it was a good or spectacular vintage for 2008, the current climate is sure to make an impact on the pricing and buying opportunities.

There are many reasons why people decide to buy en primeur, mainly to obtain better prices, secure supply and make sure the condition of the wine isn’t compromised. While many argue that this is not a good year to buy futures because:

- Many think that the château will set unreasonable prices and that they will come down if you wait until after the public release.
- Top or favourite wines are unlikely to sell out, because of the economic and market condition.

This is difficult, because the producers have pulled off a great vintage but it will all remain to be seen with the pricing structure of the wine. If they price too low, many will feel that the wines are devalued. If they price too high, no one will buy because of the economic conditions. So far we are seeing the prices set with interesting results. Latour released pre Robert Parker scores this week at roughly 45% below their 2007 price.

So should you buy? If you are buying to drink, I think it is a yes for sure. The wines are worth it and you’ll be getting one of the best prices of the last few years. Buying to invest? Again, most likely a good idea, but I suppose we’ll have to wait and see.

It looks like women wear the trousers when it comes to buying wine! A study out last week from Vinexpo, the world’s largest wine and spirit exhibition, states that women buy 80% (eight out of ten) bottles drunk at home. The research was conducted in five countries including: France, Germany, Japan, USA and the UK and covered 4,306 women ranging from 18 to 61 years of age.

In the UK the survey covered 1,300 women and the data showed that in addition to taking the lead when buying wine, they also have strong views on how and when they like to drink it. A third of British women who enjoy wine as a well-deserved treat at the end of the day admit that they prefer to drink in the bath!

It also appears that women’s knowledge and self-confidence when it comes to wine is revealed by the way they make their selections. 61% of women in the UK choose their own wine showing that they are increasingly more independent in their decisions than women in the rest of the world.

Most women said they enjoyed drinking wine because they liked the taste (80%) and because it went well with food (70%). Interestingly, more than half consider wine to be a “healthier” alternative to other alcoholic beverages such as beer and spirits, while the same proportion said they were not deterred by the government’s health warnings.

Tipple Tidbits

• Six out of ten women in Britain (61%) said they drank wine at least once a week.

• 56% said they drank mostly red and 36% white.

• Women have no concrete perception as to whether wine is a masculine or feminine drink. Nine out of ten said it was neither.

The research undoubtedly overturns the common perception that men do the majority of wine buying, and reveals that in many cases women are far more influential. Well done ladies, keep it up!

Femininely tipsy,
Julie

Tasting at the Lycée Viticole de Libourne-Montagne

A buyer’s trip to Bordeaux? Of course I’ll go! With many thanks to the French Chamber of Commerce and ‘Super Marie-Line Pierre’ who took such good care of us.

We disembarked in Bordeaux on a soggy Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately not the weather I was hopping for, after coming from much the same in London.

Driving through the wet vineyards and grey countryside, we arrived in Libourne, nestled quietly into the fog-shrouded confluence of the Isle and Dordogne rivers. A lovely bath at the Hôtel de France, which I highly recommend to anyone who happens to be in the Libourne area, and we went off for our evening libations.

Many years ago, I was touring Europe with my family and my mother introduced me to the Bordeaux speciality, Lillet. It has always reminded me of the time we spent in France and when it was offered up as our aperitif, I was happy to partake. Amazingly, several of my fellow companions were unfamiliar with the drink, so I promised to get the background for them.

It originated in the French village of Podensac and has been made since the late 1800s. It’s actually a blend of wine, roughly 85%, and fruit liqueurs 15%. Apparently there is no exact recipe for making Lillet but it takes about a year to mature in oak casks and is available in red and white versions. Each batch is a blend of young and old vintages of the base wine. Ultimately, the wine is blended with the fruit liqueur made from fruit and peel of sweet oranges from Spain, bitter oranges from Haiti, green oranges from Morocco and Tunisia and cinchona bark from Peru. The result is quite delicious, with essence of candied orange, honey, lime and fresh mint. And for a bit of useless trivia, it was also the key ingredient in James Bond’s Martini derivative, the Vesper!

So, after the Lillet, some dinner and a few Pastis, we were ready for anything. Little did we know how many wines we were actually going to taste, but I’m sure I won’t receive much sympathy in that respect.

I have to say the vigneron and their representatives were lovely. Among my favourites from the two days of tasting were the powerfully complex Château Barrabaque 2001 Canon-Fronsac and Château Puy-Razac 2006 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru. A delicious range of Loire Sauvignon Blanc from Philippe Raimbault, including the aromatic and lush Apud Sariacum Sacncerre 2008 and the Mosaique Pouilly Fumé 2008. Not to mention the elegant Domaine de Bachellery, Ballade pour Mistral 2001 among many, many others.

Watch for them to make an appearance on our list!

The Wine Institute of California played host to several hundred wines from the ‘Golden State’ last week at its annual tasting in London. Unfortunately, it was a particularly cold and not so ‘golden’ day in London. But what else was to be expected?

Lacking Representation

Perhaps it is because I am biased, or because I know my wines from the US, but I’m completely dismayed by the perception of American wines in the UK market. Not to mention their lack in availability. The wines of California, Washington and Oregon are generally categorised as high-alcohol, blockbusting, fruit bombs. Certainly, while there are those that fit such description, there are just as many throughout Europe that represent equal levels of alcohol and fruit forwardness. Don’t get me wrong, I’m the first to defend the old world, but perhaps the wine from my home country could use some defending as well.

John McLaren, UK Director of the Wine Institute of California said that there is “a vast diversity of quality [Californian] wines to suit every occasion and pocket”, while I completely believe that is true, why is it practically impossible to find any of these fantastic wines on the shelves of independent retailers and supermarkets in the UK?

To be fair, I suppose McLaren has also said that California wines are ‘woefully under-represented’ by UK independent merchants. But if we know that’s the problem, then why is it so difficult to fix? California and the other northern pacific states offer plenty of quality wines that demonstrate good value for money, particularly with the strength of the US dollar at the moment.

Here are a few of my favourites in addition to the Ravenswood, Dancing Bull and other American wines that are already on our list:

Treana White, Central Coast Voignier-Marsanne, California

Intense stone fruit flavours, with lush floral and honey overtones. Viscous and round on the palate with brilliant acidity and a strong mineral backbone. Great for drinking now, but certainly has the potential to develop in the bottle.

Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara Chardonnay, California

A very Burgundian-esq style of wine, as they are in the Au Bon Climat family, however the attitude is also recognisably Californian. Deliciously rich and well rounded, with hints of tropical fruit laced with brioche. Delicate acidity, long and lingering on the palate.

L’Ecole No 41 Columbia Valley Semillon, Washington

Lemon meringue, lime peel citrus and ripe melon aromas, round and supple with pear and key-lime palate, strong mineral backbone with a racy finish.

Eberle Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California

Ripe and vibrant with black and red berry flavours, sweet toasted oak, soft tannins, juicy and fresh on the finish.

Amity Vineyards Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, Oregon

Crunchy cherry and cranberry flavours, with a hint of vanilla spice, smooth with soft grained tannins and lively acidity.

Abeja Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington

Black fruit, with mocha and violet smokiness, supple and expressive cassis, with a pencil shavings on a jammy, thick fruity finish.

I think it’s time for the UK to start looking at these wines and discover how good they really are. They are top on my priority list, so keep watching for updates on our product pages.

Just a quick update:

Due to the incredibly high demand from last night’s WineBeerExpress Taste & Tweet the Baron de Ley Club Privado Rioja is sold out!

Don’t panic, it will be back in stock next week.

Thanks again for making the Taste & Tweet such a success.

Join us on twitter!

Last night’s WineBeerExpress Live Taste & Tweet was another hit! Thanks to all the tweeting winos, or Twinos, who joined us for the discussion. We tasted two great wines, debated new world vs. old world, and while both wines were thoroughly enjoyed, I think the clear winner was old world with the Baron de Ley Club Privado. It is truly a stunning wine and well worth every penny. Check it out here if you missed it last night, Baron de Ley.

What’s next?

We are quickly approaching the wine competition season here in the UK. The International Wine Challenge and the Decanter World Wine Awards start judging over 9,000 wines from around the world in just a few weeks time. In true competition spirit, we’ve decided that our next Taste & Tweet should follow suit.

We still have to work out the details, but the wine for the next Taste & Tweet will be evaluated completely blind. This will be another first for the UK, as WineBeerExpress continues to pioneer the Twitter Tasting Trends. Watch this space for the confirmed date and the tasting criteria! Wine suggestions are encouraged.

The Bling!

For those of you following along with last night’s comments, a “bling” tasting was also suggested, even if it was merely a typo. We’re looking into the nicked BMW and Mercedes medallions! Twitpic to follow.

See you all next month!

Twittered tipsy, or Twipsy,
Julie