I was thinking about a question that Peter May of The Pinotage Club asked me some time ago as to whether any of the Bordeaux chateaux used all 6 of the permitted red grape varieties in the blend. The 6 varieties are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenere. Chateau Haut Bailly in Pessac Leognan has … Read more
David Stannard of Paradise Rescued in Cardan, Bordeaux has kindly written a guest post for us on a topic close to my heart . . . about his Cabernet Franc; a grape full of delightful surprises, producing excellent wines. I will never forget that snowy day in January 2010. Our meeting was delayed due to the bad … Read more
Jane Anson writing over at Decanter has reported that a Bordeaux wine producers’ union and several Negotiants (wine merchants) are seeking approval for new rules that would revive the almost extinct ‘Fine Bordeaux’ eaux de vie (brandy). This is welcome news to my ears. Fine Bordeaux is still made by some top ranking chateaux and has a … Read more
Bordeaux never ceases to amaze me as somewhere in the quiet backwaters of this great wine region there is always someone creating something surprising. Making wine instils passion in those dedicating their lives and livelihoods to it and I believe that the wines represent something of the personality of these people. Not far from Saint … Read more
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 promotional bodies, wine lovers or wineries and vineyards and you can spot them on Twitter as … Read more
The adultery referred to is the adulteration of red wine. SpectroscopyNOW.com have reported that researchers in Italy can reveal whether red wine has been adulterated with anthocyanins to artificially improve its red colour. E. Ferrari and his fellow researchers of the Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, working with M. Vignali of Vinicola San Nazaro in Italy … Read more
AFP are reporting that wine growers in France are starting to worry that global warming is giving them too much of a good thing. Predicted increases in average temperatures of two, three or even four degrees Celsius (3.6 to 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit) this century could spell the ruin of many of Europe’s most fabled vineyards. Veterans … Read more
I am always on the lookout for unusual grapes and I spotted two Cabernets that are decidedly different recently. Cleggett Wines in Langhorne Creek, South Australia have two new grape varietals that are a Bronze and a White Cabernet Sauvignon. A chance discovery of pinky bronze fruit on a Cabernet Sauvignon vine in 1977 provided Mac Cleggett and Anne McLennan the … Read more
Jane Anson (New Bordeaux Blog) has written an interesting article for Decanter titled Merlot ‘impossible’ in Bergerac. She has reported that one of Bergerac’s most renowned winemakers, Hugh Ryman of Chateau de la Jaubertie, has claimed that global warming is making Merlot impossible in the region. He said he had not planted a Merlot vine since 2000, and … Read more
Did you realise that originally there were no white grapes? Grape vines only bore red grapes until 3 000 years ago. ABC Science Online has reported that Australian Scientists have discovered that white grapes evolved due to a lucky genetic coincidence. Dr Mandy Walker from CSIRO Plant Industry in Adelaide and her colleagues studied the genetics of … Read more
