Tradition, tradition, tradition… For decades, Bordeaux winemakers have dug in their heels, hanging steadfastly onto customs and habits that date back centuries. In France, the reputation for a wine has been based on custom (i.e., know-how, terroir, appellation d’origine controlee/AOC – protected designation of origin). It was “believed” that consumers purchased French wine based on […]
Bordeaux Wines: Started with Slavery
When I visited Bordeaux, I wondered about the magnificent 18th century architecture complete with mansions and public buildings that make this a very beautiful and architectural city. What was the source of the money that built this city – certainly it did not come from the early stages of the wine industry. Lurking behind these […]
Chinon Rose: Why Does it Remain a Mystery?
Chinon is hidden away in the Loire Valley, in-between Bordeaux and Burgundy. It is inconvenient to visit as it is not near a major highway. Chinon wines have been noted since the sixteenth century but continue to remain a secret. Why? The grape variety (Cabernet Franc), is under-appreciated, comes to life with food and may […]
Barolo Wine Auction: €600,000 for Barolo in a Barrel
Sometimes an event is just an event, and sometimes (when I am lucky) the event turns into a wonderful Saturday afternoon experience that is good by doing good. Recently, I was invited to the Barolo en primeur at Il Gattopardo (with a Zoom simulcast from Grinzane Cavor Castle in Piedmont, Italy). The event was also […]
Avoid Wine Worries. Be Happy and Drink Bordeaux Les Legendes
An Abundance of Wineries Historically, the Bordeaux region was desirable for its (mostly) white wines with winemakers devoting more that 80 percent of their vineyards to Sauternes, Barsac, Bordeaux Blanc and Graves. It was not until the 1700s that red wine from Bordeaux interested the marketplace and English wine enthusiasts embraced the red Bordeaux wines from Graves […]
Wine Links the Catenas with the Rothschilds: Enter New CARO
18 Incredible New Health Benefits when enjoying French Wine
Drinking a glass of French Wine a day may help with Alzheimer, Cancer, Memory Loss, Bone Density, Healthy Eyes, High Cholesterol, liver disease, stroke, depression, cavities, the common cold. Here is why: For almost two years, I have been locked in a space that appears to shrink, minute by minute. The clock on my computer […]
You are Elegant and Sophisticated? Pour Bordeaux into Your Glass!
Bordeaux Winemakers Started Early Bordeaux, formerly known as Burdigala, dates back to the 3rd century when the Celtic tribes decided to settle in a beautiful spot, located on the western coast of the Baronne River. Latin Poet, Ausonius, first recorded mention of wine production in Bordeaux in AD 350 and a château still bears his name, […]
Welcome to the 2016 Grands Crus Classes of Saint Emilion
Louis XIV paid tribute to the wines of Saint Emilion – declaring “Saint Emilion, nectar of the gods.” Separate. Better? Saint Emilion Grand Crus wines were not included in the original 1855 Bordeaux classification so The Association de Grands Crus Classes de Saint Emilion was formed in 1982 to promote the quality and excellence of […]
It is wine time: Meet the new competition
The Association for the Promotion of Wines and Spirits in North America (APVSA), headquartered in Montreal, Canada, provides assistance to European wine and spirits producers who want to export their products – especially to North America. To reach this objective, the association schedules 6 tours per year primarily in the USA, Canadian and European markets. […]