Category Archives: Grapes

The Future Bordeaux – No More Merlot?

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Nick

The weather is a hot topic at the moment in scientific circles as well as amongst us ordinary folk. The big question seems to be whether climate change, and in particular global warming, is making our weather worse – or … Continue reading →

Posted in Bordeaux Grape Varieties, Bordeaux News, Climate Change, Grapes | 5 Comments

Old Style Claret Returns to Bordeaux

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Nick

Have you ever wanted to drink an Old Style Claret?  A Claret that harks back to the Victorian era of Gentlemen’s Clubs, cigars and fine wine?  If you travel back in time to 1855, when the chateaux were being ranked … Continue reading →

Posted in Bordeaux News, Chateaux Profiles, Grapes | 4 Comments

Chateau Lafite Rothschild’s Vineyard in China Grows the Marselan Grape

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Nick

I was interested to see that Chateau Lafite Rothschild’s vineyard in China is growing 2 grape varieties not grown in Bordeaux: Syrah (Shiraz) and Marselan. Marselan is a relatively new grape variety and was first bred in 1961 near the … Continue reading →

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International Cabernet Days and Two ‘New’ Varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon: White and Bronze!

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Nick

Over the past couple of years the phenomenon of International Grape Days seems to have gathered momentum. So far I have spotted ones for Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot, Albarino, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache, Tempranillo and Cabernet. These are usually organised by … Continue reading →

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Bénicarlo and Bordeaux – Going Forward to the Past

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Nick

A while ago I wrote about how Bordeaux used to improve its blends in the past. Of course it is not permitted to add wines from another region let alone country to Bordeaux today under the AOC rules but it … Continue reading →

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French Vineyard in Saint Mont Classified as Historic Monument

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Nick

Last year Sue wrote about the wines of Saint Mont in the Gers, South West France and its collection of ancient vines. Decanter has just reported that these vines have recently been classified a Monument Historique, the first time a … Continue reading →

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Sauvignon Gris – A New Star For Bordeaux Chateaux?

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Nick

Whilst at the 2011 En Primeur tastings this year I noticed that more white Bordeaux wines seemed to be blended with Sauvignon Gris than before. On checking this out I read that according to figures obtained by the Interprofessional Council … Continue reading →

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Smoke-Affected Wine

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Nick

Scientists in Australia have identified more than 20 chemicals that make smoke-tainted wine taste like leather, disinfectant and other unpalatable flavours. The study is part of a new research project that aims to limit the damage to the wine industry … Continue reading →

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Climate Change and Champagne

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Nick

The Drinks Business reported last week that Champagne was getting too warm for the Pinot Meunier grape according to a number of growers in the region. The Champagne AOC has 7 permitted grapes: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris … Continue reading →

Posted in Champagne, Climate Change, English Wine, Grapes | 5 Comments

What is China’s Cabernet Gernischt?

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Nick

Yesterday it was announced that for the first time in the history of the Decanter World Wine Awards a Chinese wine won at the highest level. The wine was the Winery He Lan Qing Xue’s Jia Bei Lan 2009, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Bordeaux News, China, Grapes, Wine News | 12 Comments