The Chinese have made their first investment in Margaux with the state owned Liaoning Energy Investment group’s purchase of Clos des Quatre Vents, Chateau Tayac Plaisance and Villa des Quatre Soeursfrom Luc Thienpont. The group have also acquired Thienpont’s other estate Chateau Bonneau in the Haut Medoc and ‘Z’ his wine made under the Bordeaux AOC from a vineyard adjoining the Margaux … Read more
The Chinese New Year 2014 begins on 31st January 2014 and is the Year of the Horse. According to Chinese astrology, the associated element is Wood and the colour connected with Wood is green, so 2014 is the Year of the Green Wood Horse. What’s more the Chinese Lantern Festival (observed on the 15th day … Read more
12 bottles of Claret or the price of 10! This Claret from the great 2009 vintage is the perfect partner for suppers on cold, dark nights such as stews, casseroles and roasts. This is a delicious winter wine with notes of blackberry, vanilla, strawberry and ripe plum so enjoy receiving two free bottles in your … Read more
News from Bordeaux reports that Laurent Dassault has purchased Chateau Faurie de Souchard in Saint Emilion. Faurie de Souchard neighbours Chateaux Dassault and La Fleur which the family have owned respectively since 1955 and 2002). Faurie de Souchard was sold by the Sciard family who had been in possession of the chateau for 80 years. Geoffroy Sciard told Sud Ouest that despite regaining … Read more
Love it or hate it Bordeaux En Primeur isn’t going to disappear. Why would it? If nothing else it is a marvellous marketing opportunity. Where else do the world’s wine press, critics and merchants descend in such numbers at a set point in time to taste the produce of a season? The downside of En … Read more
Bordeaux is a melting pot of hitech sophistication and traditional techniques; on the one hand you have oxen and plough horses reintroduced into the vineyards and on the other you have drones and robots. Chateaux are now utilising the best of both worlds in their constant quest for quality. The Vitirover robot is the brainchild of Xavier … Read more
Decanter’s recent consumer report has raised the issue of Bordeaux’s En Primeur pricing for next year and they say that Bordeaux En Primeur buyers fear being priced out of the market. The Decanter Bordeaux En Primeur Report is the first of its kind to focus solely on consumer attitudes to buying wines en primeur and included … Read more
Not so long ago China was the goose that laid the golden egg as far as Bordeaux was concerned. Wines were snapped up, the market boomed and prices shot through the roof. Chinese investors are still keen to acquire Bordeaux’s chateaux (it’s estimated that over 60 estates have been bought up this year alone) and … Read more
I thought it would be fun to create a Twelve Days of Christmas for Bordeaux and its wines in celebration of all the diversity they have to offer. I have used a little creative licence but hope you enjoy my efforts! On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . … Read more
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 whilst ‘Bordeaux watching’ over 2013 and share my thoughts with you. Running both Bordeaux-Undiscovered and Interest In Wine I cover Bordeaux’s wines in all their glory from the petit chateaux … Read more
