BKWine Blog: January 2008

BKWine TV: [E] Interview with Poliziano winemaker Fabio Marchi

>> Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Interview with winemaker Fabio Marchi at Poliziano winery in Montepulciano (DOCG Vino Nobile de Montepulciano). Fabio talks about Poliziano's style of wine making and about the tremendously successful 2007 vintage when both Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet ripened perfectly in the vineyards. Azienda Agricola Carletti Poliziano is one of the top wine estates in Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy.

By BKWine, h ttp://www.bkwine.com.

More video:
BKWine's YouTube Channel

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

BKWine TV: A short visual visit to V Innocenti winery in Montepulciano

>> Tuesday, January 29, 2008

A short visual visit to Cantine Vittorio Innocenti (with the owner and winemaker of the same name) in Montefollonico. Innocenti makes Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Rossi di Montalcino, the fabled sweet wine Vin Santo and a range of other wines. We visit his amazing treasure chest of barrel aging Vin Santo in the cellar and see some breathtaking views from the terrace outside winery. Cantine Vittorio Innocenti, Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy.

By BKWine, http://www.bkwine.com.

More video:
BKWine's YouTube Channel

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

VDQS to disappear

VDQS (Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure) will cease to exist as a classification. VDQS is a not very well know and little used category that is placed between Appellation Controlée (the highest group) and Vins de Pays. It has often functioned as a waiting room for regions aiming at becoming AOC. France has now decided to eliminate this category entirely by 2011, perhaps since it is in reality little used. Current VDQS districts will have to choose between (trying to become) AOC, with corresponding stricter rules, or Vin de Pays.

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

BKWine TV: Travelling in Tuscan Wine Country

>> Monday, January 28, 2008

We take you on a short virtual visit to the wine country of Tuscany. This is where you find the delicious wines from Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino and many more. We show you some views of the vineyards and the amazing landscape, a visit to a wine cellar, a virtual tasting of the wines. A taste of some of the gastronomic specialties, and finally a few glimpses from Florence with the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio on the Arno.

By BKWine, http://www.bkwine.com.

More video:
BKWine's YouTube Channel

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

Mouton-Rothschild 2005 designed by Guiseppe Penone

Each year, since 1945, a new artist is chosen to decorate the label of the Mouton-Rothschild bottle. The latest vintage to be released, 2005, will be carrying a ‘top banner’ (to speak in internet terminology) drawn by the Italian artist Guiseppe Penone, sometimes categorized in the Arte Povera movement. See the label here. vinimarket.com

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

BKWine TV: A visual vist to Candialle Az Agr in Chianti

>> Friday, January 25, 2008

A short visual visit to the Candialle Azienda Agricola winery and vineyard in Chianty, Tuscany, Italy.

By BKWine, http://www.bkwine.com.

More video:
BKWine's YouTube Channel

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

French wine shows: Millesime Bio, Loire & VinSud

January and February is a busy time for the professional visitor to wine shows. First out is Millesime Bio, January 28-30 in Perpignan, a wine fair focusing on organic wine (ok, ok, wine from organically grown grapes): www.millesime-bio.com. Then you have Le Salon des Vins de la Loire, essential if you want to get a deep insight into what’s happening in the Loire valley: February 4-6 in Anger: www.salondesvinsdeloire.com. This is followed by ViniSud. Even if it has a focus on wines from the south of France (Languedoc-Roussillon, Rhône, Provence, Corsica, Sud-Ouest…) they also present numerous producers from other Mediterranean countries: Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece,… In Montpellier February 18-20: www.vinisud.com Book your flights now!

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

BKWine TV: A short visual visit to Villa Cafaggio

>> Thursday, January 24, 2008

A short visit to the Chianti wine producer Villa Cafaggio in Tuscany with a nice lunch tasting al fresco and a view over the vineyards. Villa Cafaggio, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy.

By BKWine, http://www.bkwine.com.

More video:
BKWine's YouTube Channel

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

Vins Rares Peter Thustrup sold to Everget Capital

Peter Thustrup has for many years been one of the leading merchants and traders in rare and exclusive wines through his company Vins Rares Peter Thustrup. Originally from the cosmetics industry he Started VRPT in the early 80s as an extension of his hobby and passion for fine wines. VRPT has now been acquired by Everget Capital who also owns the Paris wine shop Legrand Filles & Fils and a parallel wine trading and wholesale business.

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

BKWine TV: Mechanical harvest at Isole e Olena

>> Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Harvest at Isole e Olena winery in Chianti, Tuscany. Harvesting the grapes with a tractor - mechanical harvest machine.

You can see the ripe grape bunches in the vineyard before harvest and the naked grape stems that remain after the harvester has passed.

In the vineyard in Chianti, Tuscany, Italy.
-
Machine a vendanger pour les vendanges chez le vignoble Isole e Olena a Toscane en Italie.
-
http://www.bkwine.com

More video:
BKWine's YouTube Channel

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

EU reform of agricultural wine polices agreed, but watered down

It was a weakened reform that was agreed with the agricultural ministers just before Christmas. Hardly cause for celebrating with a bottle of champagne, except for the champagne producers and other northern winegrowing regions who had argued for continued permission to add sugar to the grape must (chaptalisation) to compensate for weak musts – and won the argument. Other aspects of the reform: grubbing up of vines will continue but less than proposed (170,000 ha instead of 400,000 ha). Possibilities to specify grape varieties and vintage on the label on wines without a specific geographic provenance (or where it is not permitted to indicate the provenance on the label). More budget to promote EU wines (but not within the EU, of course, where the lobby is rather for ad band on wine). Less restrictions on new plantings of vines. Etc. Perhaps the reform could have used a bit of sugar in the brew to make it less watered down. iht.com

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

Martin Scorsese makes commercial for Freixenet with Hitchcock theme

Martin Scorsese Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The Departed…) has made a commercial (advert) film for the big Spanish cava producer Freixenet. The film stars Scorsese himself and tells the story of a lost and found script for a never-made Hitchcock film called The Key to Reserva. Scorsese decides to make a film from the found Hitchcock script. But… one page is missing! What happens? Lots of references to old movies for the film buff to enjoy. The 10 minute long film can of course be viewed on YouTube

You can also watch BKWine's wine videos on YouTube.

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

Germany harvests ice wine

On November 18-19 weather was cold enough in Germany to harvest the famed ice wine, Eiswein. 1500 l Riesling and 1200 l Pinot Noir (!) were harvested in freezing weather in Baden. Rheingau, Nahe, and Franken also made some ice wine, as well as small quantities in Mosel. This years abundant German harvest made more growers leave some grapes on the vines in the hope of having the possibility to make some of the exclusive Eiswein. wein-plus.com

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

BKWine TV: [F] Interview : Domaine Cauhape, Henri Ramonteu, Jurancon

>> Monday, January 21, 2008

Interview with the winemaker Henri Ramonteu of Domaine de Cauhapé in Jurançon, near Pau and Biarritz, on the edge of Spain, whose winery and vineyards are in the south west of France (Sud-Ouest). Henri talks about his wines and how he makes wine. And about the unique grape varieties Petit and Gros Manseng.

By BKWine, http://www.bkwine.com.

Language is French.

Entretien avec le vigneron Domique Andrian du Domaine du Haut Campagnau à -du-Gers dans le Gers, Côtes de Gascogne. Dominique nous parle de ses vins et de son domaine.

More video:
BKWine's YouTube Channel

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

2007 smallest harvest since 2000

The latest statistics from SCEES shows that 2007 will be the smallest harvest in France since 2000. Only 47.1 M hl will be produced. The decline is biggest for Vin de Table in Languedoc (due to dry weather) and in the cognac producing region (due to bad weather and rain). In the northern region (Champagne, Alsace, Bourgogne) production is on the contrary rising. vinimarket.com

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

BKWine TV: [F] Domaine Haut Campagnau, Dominique Andrian, Cts Gascogne

>> Saturday, January 19, 2008

Interview with the winemaker Dominique Andrian of Domaine du Haut Campagnau in the Montréal-du-Gers in the Gers region, Côtes de Gascogne, whose winery and vineyards are in the south west of France (Sud-Ouest). Dominique talks about his wines and how he makes wine.

By BKWine, http://www.bkwine.com.

Language is French.

Entretien avec le vigneron Domique Andrian du Domaine du Haut Campagnau à -du-Gers dans le Gers, Côtes de Gascogne. Dominique nous parle de ses vins et de son domaine.

More video:
BKWine's YouTube Channel

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

Texas fifth biggest grape grower and wine maker

Unexpectedly perhaps Texas is according to the latest statistics the fifth biggest grape grower and wine maker state in the US according to a new report by the Grape Growers Association. They have 3,700 acres (1500 ha) of vineyards owned by 220 family wineries (and presumably quite a bit of table grape production in addition). Most vineyards are located in Texas Hill county that, according to WilsonCountyNews.com, is similar to Italy and France. They make wine from Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Riesling, Viognier and even from strawberries. Read more: wilsoncountynews.com

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

BKWine TV: [F] Domaine des Verdots, David Fourtout, Bergerac

>> Friday, January 18, 2008

Interview with the winemaker David Fourtout of Domaine des Verdots whose winery and vineyards are in Bergerac, west of Bordeaux, in the south west of France (Sud-Ouest)

David talks about his wines and how he makes wine.

By BKWine, http://www.bkwine.com.

Language is French.

Entretien avec le vigneron David Fourtout du vignoble Domaine des Verdots à Gaillac. David nous parle de ses vins son domaine.

More video:
BKWine's YouTube Channel

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

A tour around the world in wine

“Alex” used to be store manager at an Oddbins wine shop branch in England. In August he left and embarked on a tour around the world in wine. He is travelling from one winery to the next, discovering many for away wine regions and wine makers. All along his journey he continually updates his blog (winetraveller.net) with what he is doing now, where he is and what wines he’s tasting. So you can follow Alex around the world in a virtual tour. In his latest post (January 6) he is at a winery in Yarra Valley in Australia. Read more winetraveller.net

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

V&S Vin & Sprit to be sold at auction

The Swedish finance ministry has confirmed that V&S Vin & Sprit will be sold. V&S is one of the world’s biggest spirits companies, owning the Absolut Vodka brand, and is currently a state owned company. It has also been confirmed that it will be sold to the bidder offering the best price and the best overall conditions for the deal. The transaction is expected to be finalized in 2008. Expected bidders are e.g. Pernod Ricard, Fortune Brands, Bacardi, Diageo as well as venture capital funds.

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

Sotheby’s makes a record and sells wine for $49 million

The most expensive bottle ever sold at Sotheby’s was a jeroboam of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild 1945 that fetched $310,700. Total sales reached $49,287,329 which is +32% compared to 2006.

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

Cheesy (!) campaign for French cheese

>> Thursday, January 17, 2008

We thought last Brief’s feature on lightly clad females promoting Chablis was a low water mark (Chablis Chic), but how wrong we were. The French association of terroir cheese producers have produced a calendar with twelve completely un-clad young ladies (“from-girls”), only covered in body painting illustrating astrological signs. They are no doubt much better at cheese making than at marketing. See the calendar here: www.fromages-de-terroirs.com

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

Films from Champagne Tarlant

Internet, with YouTube and others, has given us a completely new way to communicate: video clips. Champagne Tarlant is one of the few (certainly in France!) wine producers who are experimenting with this medium (without allocating big ad budgets). And this gives us some, sometimes informative, sometimes amusing, sometimes, oh well… occasions to make a virtual visit to Champagne Tarlant and Champagne. For example, the ultimate anti-action-clip: “Tank’s Insider” – watch wine fermenting inside the tank. Knowing a bit of French helps. Watch it here: champagne.typepad.com/podcast/

(And if you liked that you should drop in at the very early beta version of BKWine TV: www.youtube.com/bkwine)

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

BKWine TV: Domaine Plageoles, Gaillac

>> Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Interview with the winemaker Bernard Plageoles of Domaine Tres Cantous / Domaine Plageoles whose winery and vineyards are in
Gaillac in the south west of France (Sud-Ouest)

Bernard talks about his peculiar wines and the unusual grape varieties he uses, e.g. the Ondenc (white grape) and the Prunelard (for red wine).

By BKWine, http://www.bkwine.com.

Language is French.

Entretien avec le vigneron Pernard Plageoles
du Domaine Tres Cantous / Domaine Plageoles
à Gaillac.

Bernard nous parle de ses vins et de ses cépages très particulier.

More video:
BKWine's YouTube Channel

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

Chateau Reifent-Auzias in China (!) makes its first harvest

This autumn saw the first harvest at Chateau Reifeng-Auzias in China. The tradition in China is more towards quantity than quality, with yields reaching 150 hl/ha. At Ch Reifeng-Auzias the ambition is more focused on quality wines made from Syrah (10 ha), Cabernet Franc (10 ha), and Chardonnay (3 ha) with yields as low as 29 hl/ha. The wines will primarily be sold on the Chinese market at prices between 18€ and 78€ (!) per bottle. A group of French and Chinese investors are behind the venture: Michel Behar, Dominique Auzias (editor of the very popular guide book series Petit Futé), Wu Feng and Mei Ling.

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

BKWine TV: [E] Chateau Yon Figeac, St Emilion

>> Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Visit to the Chateau Yon Figeac in Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, France. A brief history of the domaine, view over the vineyard and the chateau; visit to the winery, with some wine making talk, and a tasting of the grand cru. By BKWine.

More video:
BKWine's YouTube Channel

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

Carole Duval-Leroy, new president of AV Champenoise, worries about yields

If you read French it can also be quite interesting to read the remarks of Carole Duval-Leroy, owner of Champagne Duval-Leroy: “If it becomes a norm to produce 21,700 kg grapes (ed.: ~140 hl/ha) and then only use 15,500 kg (ed.: 90-100 hl/ha), what happens then when the reserve stocks are filled?” (Reserve stocks are filled with excess volumes over the permitted yield.) Read her comments here: www.reussir51.com

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

Bad timing to expand Champagne, says world leading expert

We recently wrote about the plans in Champagne to extend the limits of the appellation to allow for more production. Obviously a contentious issue. Tom Stevenson, a world leading expert on Champagne, asks the question “Is an expansion necessary?” His answer is perhaps both yes and no. There is an obvious shortage of Champagne at the moment but are we not rapidly approaching a new champagne bust? And in any case already today there are enough grapes grown for an expansion, but due to AOC regulations parts of the harvest are left to rot. (The permitted yield is almost 100 hl/ha today (already high compared to many) but the average actual yield, says Stevenson, was more like 146 hl/ha. The volume exceeding the permitted yield is left on the vines or dropped on the ground.) Read his whole essay on the future of Champagne on wine-pages.com.

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

The International Wine Convention in Cannes

That’s the name of an event held in Cannes on February 14-17. It is a meeting place for vine importers and wine traders to meet producers from France, Italy, Spain and Portugal. More info www.winemeetings-cannes.fr (And conveniently planned just before ViniSud so you can combine the two.)

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

BKWine TV: [F] Catherine Papon-Nouvel at Clos St Julien, St Emilion

>> Monday, January 14, 2008

Interview with winemaker Catherine Papon-Nouvel, owner of Clos Saint Julien, Chateau Gaillar and Ch Petit Gravet Aine, all in St Emilion, Bordeaux. Catherine talks about wine making philosophy, what makes a wine what it is and about her vineyards. By BKWine. Language: French. Interview avec la vigneronne C P-N dans son vignoble Clos St Julien a Saint Emilion, sur sa facon de faire le vin et ses ideaux comme vigneron.

More video:
BKWine's YouTube Channel

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

Kremstal in Austria becomes the first DAC on the Danube

The Austrian agricultural minister approve in December the DAC designation for Kremstal for wines made from Grüner Veltliner or Riesling. Kremstal thus becomes the first district along the Danube to get the DAC qualification (Districtus Austria Controllatus, similar to the French Appellation Controlée). It is split in two levels: Classic and Reserve. Classic is dry with medium alcohol and should have no oak or noble rot character. Reserve is fuller-bodied and may have some barrel tones and botrytis. There are previously three DAC regions in Austria: Weinviertel DAC (2003), Mittelburgenland DAC (2006) and Traisental DAC (2007).

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

BKWine Tip: Duvel Café, Stockholm

Restaurant

Duvel Café, Stockholm

Don’t be fooled by the name. It’s not a beer hall. The decoration refers back to classic French bistro style with naked wooden tables, wooden floors and linen napkins – but with a modern design flavours (Swedish restaurant somehow must absolutely be ‘designed’). Very centrally located, a short walk (5 minutes) from the central train station (Centralen). Delicious food in a mainly traditional style, e.g. perfectly grilled trout with old-fashioned mashed sweet-potatoes and lingonberry chutney (?! – yes, it was excellent), or creamy chanterelles soup. Reasonable prices (starters 120-180 kr, main courses 200-250 kr). Modest wine list but enough to find a few interesting choices. And yes, they do have a very long beer list too!

Click here for address and more recommendations.

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

BKWine Tip: Hos Pelle, Gothenburg

Restaurant:

Hos Pelle, Gothenburg

Pelle is the name of the chef and ”hos” in Swedish is the same as the French ”chez”, so you’re at Pelle’s Place. The restaurant is very small, elegant and modern design and happily free from loud music. A modest walk away from the centre of the city – stroll through the old Haga part of Gothenburg and you’re there. In the evening they have only a set menu: you can choose between a few main courses (at least two guests at your table have to take the same): e.g. wintry filet of deer, or coley with turnips, pears and parsley. To start with you get today’s selection of three starters and to finish you also get a trio of desserts prepared by the kitchen. All is elegantly presented and delicious, sometimes with some interesting and well prepared choices of vegetables. Very reasonably priced at 350 kr. You can opt for the “wine package” for 250 kr which will give you a different wine to each course. At lunch time they have a more classic style lunch service.

Click here for address and more recommendations.

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

BKWine TV: [F,S] Visit to Clos St Julien in Saint Emilion

>> Saturday, January 12, 2008

A visit to the Clos St Julien vineyard in St Emilion, owned by Catherine Papon-Nouvel, who also owns Chateau Gaillard and Chateau Petit Gravet Aine. Visit in the wine cellar and winery with some explanations on how Catherine makes the wine. An al fresco lunch in the vineyard... By BKWine.

More video:
BKWine's YouTube Channel

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

BKWine Tip: Château de l’Engarran, Lavérune

Château de l’Engarran, Lavérune

The two sisters Constance Rerolle and Diane Losfelt are the third generation of women who manage the vineyard and the beautiful 18th century chateau in Lavérune just outside Montpellier. The family didn’t bottle their own wine until 1978 but has since become one of the better known properties in Languedoc. Elegance as well as body are keywords for their wines, expressed e.g. in the cuvee Quetton Saint Georges made from 80% Syrah with aromas of chocolate, ripe berries and freshly roasted coffee.

Click here for address and more recommendations.

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

BKWine Tip: Domaine de la Coste, Coteaux du Languedoc – Saint Christol

Domaine de la Coste, Coteaux du Languedoc – Saint Christol

Luc was the first to realize the great potential in the soils around Saint-Christol, a terroir just north-east of Montpellier. Luc and Elisabeth Moynier created Domaine de la Coste in 1975. Their grapes grow in poor soil that is difficult to work, filled with stones much like the galets in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. And the vineyard creates some quite rustic wines whereas others are much more elegant. Luc’s and Elisabeth’s favourite grape is Mourvèdre. Wines worth seeking out today before they get pricey (which they are far from today!).

Click here for address and more recommendations.

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

BKWine TV: A walk in Saint Emilion

>> Friday, January 11, 2008

A virtual visit to the St Emilion village - a UNESCO World Heritage site. Views over the ancient wine village. Some wine shops with Saint Emilion and Pomerol wines. A glimpse of the vineyards. Old houses and cafes. Wineries around the village... By BKWine.

More video:
BKWine's YouTube Channel

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

Welcome to the BKWine Brief nr 54, January 2008

The long sleepy days of Christmas and New Year are over for this time and hopefully you have enjoyed one or two nice bottles. At home in Paris we celebrated new Year in style with a 1969 Chapelle Chambertin Grand Cru from Jean Trapet. The wine was magnificent (as was the view over the Eiffel Tower) – one of those you will remember and treasure for a long time. Maybe some of you will have a white month in January. I have heard that some do. And I don’t mean drinking only white wines. But that might just be a very good idea.

White wines go excellently with many food and at least gives you the impression of being lighter… Why not with some shell fish, which we have plenty of at the market now in winter time. And they’re a perfect match for many cheeses. And bring out the more powerful oaked whites to the meat, or the ones with higher acidity (Alsace, Loire,…) to the Asian inspired cuisine – that we should eat more often. I just read how healthy it is with ginger and other exotic spices.

In a single week I’ve had the bad fortune to have three corked wines which is a lot even for me because even though I drink (sorry, taste) quite a few wines it is rarely that the wines are corked. And it is always such a disappointment when a wine is corked!

But all the same I am quite a fan of natural cork and have fully bought in to the story that it is an environmentally friendly alternative – saving the cork oak forests in Portugal, and using a recyclable (or should I say reusable) material. It’s difficult to say how many wines actually are corked. Some say it’s less than 2%, others say it is as much as 10-15% (but then I suspect they have been paid by the plastic stopper manufacturers). And the fact is that cork is popular with consumers in most countries. Apparently they don’t want to trivialize the wine experience with a screw cap but want it to be a bit of a special experience to open a bottle of wine – with a plop… but I do admit that it can be very convenient with screw cap. Sometimes. Oh well, luckily there is no law against wavering.

We're soon off for our first tour of the year: Truffles, Foie Gras and Wine in Périgord. That will be exciting. Not that it will help recovering from Christmas and New Year excesses. If you'd be interested in that tour I', afraid I have to say that it is rather fully booked at the moment but judging from it's success it is likely to be back on the program for next years truffle season, so look out for it next February.

Early summer we're doing another tour that I hope you'll find tempting too: "Three Classics" starting with Champagne and then taking you to Chablis and finishing in Beaune, the heart of Burgundy and one of the centres of French gastronomy (well, there are several) and home to some of the grandest Grand Crus in France... Time to book your place now perhaps?

I wish you all a nice January, with or without wine, red or white, natural cork, plastic cork, or screw cap…

Britt

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

BKWine TV: [E] The Laroche winery and restaurant in Chablis

>> Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Visit to Michel Laroche's winery, wine cellar and restaurant in Chablis, Burgundy (Bourgogne), France. The Obediencerie, the old vaulted cellar with barrels. Tasting some wine and talking soil and how long the wine can age. The trendy restaurant and wine bar with a view of the Serein river. By BKWine.

More video:
BKWine's YouTube Channel

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

Book review: The Wine and Food Lover’s Guide to Portugal

The Wine and Food Lover’s Guide to Portugal
Charles Metcalfe & Kathryn McWhirter
Foto: diverse
Inn House Publishing
ISBN 978-0-9557069-0-5

This book is packed with information about Portugal and its wine districts. The authors wrote their first book on Portugal 20 years ago and know the country inside out, including its wines and the gastronomy. You will find a wealth of recommendations: wine producers, restaurants, hotels… All is well written, enticing and yet exhaustive. It certainly makes you want to go visit the Portuguese wine regions – if you were not already on your way. Plenty of photography, priority give more to the number of illustrations rather than their size. Also including good maps and a quick introduction to speaking Portuguese!

-- Buy the book
-- Read more reviews

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

BKWine TV: [F,S] Pinson winery in Chablis

>> Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Visiting Pinson winery in Chablis. Tasting the wine in the oak barrel cellar. Close up of interior of barrique with lees (dead yeast cells). Language: French & Swedish. Burgundy, France. Visite de la cave et vignoble Pinson, vigneron a Chablis. Bourgogne, France. By BKWine.

More video:
BKWine's YouTube Channel

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

Book review: Desert Island Wine

Desert Island Wine
Miles Lambert Gócs
Ambeli Press

This is NOT a book about ”what wine would you bring to the desert island?” It is a collection of essays, often with a humorous tone, on varying subjects around wine. For example: the first ever CNN-interview with Dionysus the wine god, or the short story about the terroir terrorist. The author writes light-heartedly and entertainingly about subjects that are usually viewed from a more (too?) “serious” viewpoint. An amusing read perhaps to consume in the sofa over Christmas with a nice glass of port in front of you.

-- Buy the book
-- Read more reviews

- Try our new BKWine Brief Blog Update Service -

| Come on a wine tour | Where are you? |
| Wine news on your site | Subscribe | Our newsletter |

© Copyright BKWine

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

© Blogger template Webnolia by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP