Book Review: Les Grands Crus du Languedoc et Roussillon

Les Grands Crus du Languedoc et Roussillon
By Michel Smith
Editions Renault

A dense tome with profiles of many growers in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Michel Smith has selected his choice of best growers, the future Grands Crus. The book is 100% focused on the producers, not even a brief introduction to the region or the appellations is included. Every property is presented on one or two pages, in quite a bit of detail. Lots of text in rather small type, interspersed with some (but not much) photos. You can always have opinions on a selection of growers. For instance, why are none of the excellent producers in La Clape included? But overall we think this is a good and representative selection from the region. A book for the French reading Languedoc enthusiast looking for a reference work on growers.

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The world’s best Barbera

Every grape variety has it’s competition it seems and so does Barbera. In 2006 the competition counted 305 entrants, 35 of which cam from outside of Italy. The winner was Paion 2005, Barbera d’Asti Superiore from Tenuta La Fiammenga, Cioccaro di Penango. the best “foreign” wine was Rezerve 2004 from Shenandoah Vineyards, Plymouth, California (USA). No doubt the organisers would appreciate more entrants from other countries, so, Barbera producers around the world, if you hear us out there, submit your wines next year! (Contact: asperia (at) al.camcom (dot) it or barbera (at) vinidea (dot) it). A bit over half of Italy’s Barbera is produced in Piedmont. There i s a total of 30,000 ha in Italy. Other producers of Barbera are e.g. Argentina, California and Australia. Read more about Barbera here.

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Wine Fair in Finland

Finland’s biggest wine event is the annual wine fair ViiniExpo. It is open both to professionals and to the general public. This year’s event takes place on March 15-17. FinnExpo.fi

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Petition for truth in wine labelling...

“Protect Place” is an initiative created by seven wine regions to promote truthful (geographical) information on wine labels. The regions behind the initiative are Champagne, Jerez (Sherry), Napa Valley, Porto (port wine), Oregon, Walla Walla, and Washington State. They have launched a site where you can support them by electronically sign their petition. An excellent initiative, we think. But could have been even better if it had been more concrete and straight forward. For example, the petition is very fluffy in what it promotes. Why not state clearly that it promotes a “100% rule”: if a region is mentioned on the label 100% of the contents should come from there? Why not include vintages and other things? Why not demand that if a vintage is mentioned on the label 100% of the wine should be from that year? And if provenance is so important, whey did Champagne (in France) force Champagne (is Switzerland) to stop using their place name on the label? (Here is Champagne in Switzerland). In other words, perhaps a bit limited and self interested. Press release. The promotional site www.protectplace.com

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This year’s big Rhône event, ”Les Découvertes”, on March 13-19

« Les Découvertes en Vallée du Rhône » is a movable feast where you have the opportunity to taste and get to know all of the appellations in the Rhône Valley. Tastings are organised in all the appellations where the producers present their wines. A unique opportunity to get to know Rhône valley wines. Only for professionals. 13-19 March 2006. Vins-Rhone.com

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Fitou leaves Languedoc cooperation?

CIVL (Comité Interprofessionnel des Vins Du Languedoc) is a sort of producers cooperation and promotion organisation for the appellations in Languedoc. Fitou is one of the larger appellations in Languedoc but is apparently not happy with the way the CIVL works. Fitou has announced that they withdraw from the CIVL as of 30 November 2006. It is, of course, a question of money – Fitou pays 4 euro per hectolitre to the CIVL (1 euro more than most) and they think that the money could be better spent by themselves. However, the CIVL considers Fitou still to be part of its organisation. Philippe Coste, president of CIVL, says, according to Vitisphere: “We have statutes. You cannot enter and leave the organisation as you wish.” Vitisphere.com

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Wine for presidents?

In April the French people will elect a new president. The two front runners for the race are Nicolas Sarkozy (conservative) and Segolène Royale (socialist). This has led to an unexpected hausse for the sales of a wine produced by the Saint Emilion cooperative (L’Union de Producteurs de Saint Emilion). The brand was created already in 1933 but has become particularly popular with the socialist supporters (one assumes): it is called Royale Saint Emilion and is available in a gift box. May we add that the wine is red.

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Chinese police stops winemaker's mass nude run through capital

Jixiang Ruyi Tobacco and Alcohol Company had recruited 284 people who, against a payment of 10,000 Yuan (ca 980 euro) at Christmas would run naked through the streets of Zhenzhou, the capital of the Henan province. The purpose of the naked run was, according to the organisers, to protest against the excessive packaging used by some producers (by featuring totally “unpackaged” runners?). Unfortunately, they did not get a permit from the police for the event because “public commercial events must meet moral standards. Such mass streakings do not” – according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

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Château Romanin (Provence) sold to Charmolue

Château Romanin is one of the better known properties in Provence, in the appellation Les Baux de Provence. The vineyards cover 58 ha (of a total of 230 ha). Romanin is also known for following the biodynamic principles (e.g. taking into account the position of the stars) and for its cathedral-like wine cellar. The domaine was sold by the Peyrauc family to Jean Louis and Anne Marie Charmolue, former proprietors of Chateau Montrose in Bordeaux. Vitisphere.com

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Corsican wine show

The international wine trade will have a great opportunity to taste and select the best Corsican wines on April 26-27. The “First Corsican International Wine Convention” will welcome buyers from all over the world. Organised by Adhes and Vins de Corse

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More wine auction news

Top lists seem to be popular this season. Here’s one from Sotheby’s wine auctions. Top auction prices:

- 6 bt DRC Romanée Conti 1985: $119,500
- Double magnums Ch Lafite 1865: $111,625
- 12 bt DRC Romanée Conti 1989: $111,625
- 2 magnums Ch Cheval-Blanc 1947: $105,750

Sotheby’s also announced record sales for the year : $37,380,538 (+28%) and claims also the prize for best sales rate: 97.5% (only 2.5% of the lots remained unsold).

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Bleu Wine Expo – wine fair for Provence wines in Marseille 29-30 January

Organised by Les Vignerons Independents, Blue Wine Expo will present more than 100 wine producers from Provence on January 29-30. BleuWinExpo.com

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Jacques and François Lurton separates

Jacque and François Lurton, sons of the legendary André Lurton (owner of e.g. Chateau La Louvière) have under many years built up a substantial and well respected wine production activity around the globe under the (not so very well known) name JFL SA. They have often been referred to as “flying winemakers” and have made wines in France (Bordeaux, Languedoc,…), Spain, Argentina, Chile, Portugal, Uruguay,… Modern wines designed for an international market. Now the brothers have decided to part company and JFL will be managed and owned by François only. Jacques will still consult on winemaking but will spend more time on his fathers’ (who’s now over 80) properties in Bordeaux. vitisphere.com

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Not only oak barrels

Oak is certainly by very far the most popular wood to use for barrels, but it is not the only. EU has recently approved the mention on wine labels that the wine has been fermented or aged in wood other than oak. It is also permitted, though not required, to mention on the label the type of wood. In other words, you may in the future see on the label e.g. “aged in barrel” or even “fermented in chestnut wood” (or corresponding national wording). Journee-vinicole.com

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One wine and two spirits brands on the top 100 brands list

Each year Business Week makes a survey of the world’s 100 most powerful brands. This year there is one wine and two spirits brands that just squeeze in on the list. Guess which! Here’s the answer. Top on the list (shame) a soft drinks manufactures, followed by a an IT time wasting tool and a machine that is these days a service… Read more here: BusinessWeek.com

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£775,000 for some bottles of sweet white wine

A unique collection of Chateau d’Yquem (Sauternes, Bordeaux), spanning 150 years, was recently sold at auction by the Antique Wine Company in London. The buyer has wished to remain secret. Almost every vintage back to 1860 were included in the collection. As a bonus, the buyer received two custom made wine cabinets worth £50,000. Decanter.com

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Lynch-Bages owner buys Sénéchaux in Châteauneuf

Jean-Michel Cazes, owner of the famous Château Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux, has acquired Domaine des Sénéchaux in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Sénéchaux. Sénéchaux has previously been one rather inconspicuous Châteauneuf property, but that will no doubt now change, judging from the “Cazes effect” in his previous projects. Decanter.com and vitisphere.com

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Chehalem Mountains becomes 15th Oregon AVA

American Viticultural Areas (AVA) is the US equivalent to the French system of Appellation Contrôlée (although very different). Chehalem Mountains, close to Portland in Oregon, has been approved as the fifteenth AVA in the state. Chehalem covers 1600 acres (approx 800 hectares) and has 31 wineries. They grow mainly Pinot Noir and also some Pinot Blanc and Riesling. Yahoo Finance

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About Oak – new guest writer article

People generally think of oak barrels as either French or American. And true, that are the most frequently used wood types. But there is a tendency to more and more use locally sourced oak, for example in Germany (as well as many people in other countries experimenting with alternatives to the traditional sources). David Furer, BKWine Guest Writer, explains more in a new article in the Guest Writer section on the site.

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Vote for the BKWine Brief Blog

The site LocalwineEvents have launched a top list of the most popular wine blogs. BKWine Brief Blog is “only” in 53rd place at the moment. We just need a few more votes go move up to the first page (top 50) and only 1018 votes to move to first place… Click on the button and cast your vote for us!

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