A Year In Wine – Top Wine Trends of 2011

I enjoy taking a look back at what has gone before at this time of year and I thought I would highlight some of the miles we have travelled in the world of wine over 2011 and share my thoughts with you. Running both Bordeaux-Undiscovered and Interest In Wine I cover Bordeaux’s wines in all their glory from pocket pleasing tipples to the great Classed Growths.

Starting with the Grand Cru Classé you won’t be surprised to learn that it was my blogs on En Primeur that proved to be the most popular. The 2010 En Primeur campaign was a block buster in one thing – hits. It was talked about, disparaged, argued over and then forgotten. After all this was the year that saw the market stall and certain chateaux price themselves out of the stratosphere.

The second most popular set of blogs was anything and everything on China. No surprise there. The most read blog being Chateau Cheval Blanc to Establish Vineyard in China? Closely following was Is Sauternes Rebranding for the Chinese Market?

Rebranding was a big theme this year given the amount of label tweaking that has been done to appeal to Asian markets. Wine and Haute Couture – This Season’s “Must Have”? (which discussed how the boundaries have blurred over wine and fashion) was a surprise success. As was Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste, the Crocodile Wine.

Historical blogs were also high on the list: The Pontac Family of Haut Brion – Their Legacy: Pontac Chateaux, a London Tavern, an Old English Sauce and Perhaps a Grape and Chateau d’Armailhac, Mouton and Merlot were the most popular.

On a lighter note I was pleased to see that many of you enjoyed Of Race Horses and Wine. One of the loves of my life is horse racing and the blog was inspired by colleagues on Twitter – Hamish Wakes Miller of Bella Wines, Will Hargrove of Corney and Barrow and Ascot Racecourse.

Much to my son’s amusement my blog on Heavy Rock and Wine went down a storm as did the spooky Ghostly Wine Connoisseur and Wine found from the Marie Celestia in the Bermuda Triangle?

I was delighted to see Chateau La Fleur Morange and their Second Wine Mathilde amongst the Top Ten Cru Classés most searched for. Amongst the petit chateaux Chateau Pessan 06, Le Roc du Chateau Pellebouc 06 and Chateau Chadeuil 08 were the most sought after red wines.

It was also good to see Cremant d’Alsace taking a turn in the top spot!

I’m looking forward to 2012 and hope to continue writing about discovered and undiscovered wines and sharing them with you. I’d like to thank you for all your support throughout 2011 and both Sue and I wish you all a Very Happy Christmas! Cheers!

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