Articles in the Opinion Category
Opinion »
A few weeks ago, in a recent interview from the UK Decanter Magazine (read here « Chapoutier pours scorn on natural winemakers« ), Michel Chapoutier was highly critical of people who defend so-called “natural” wines. He has added to the natural wine debate by denouncing natural winemakers as out-of-touch hippies making defective wines. Today Michel Chapoutier shares his thoughts on what is a « natural » wine and discusses what ethical principles a « natural » winemaker should respect.
Michel Chapoutier, you said in Decanter Magazine that making natural wine is like making vinegar. Is not it a bit tough?
Michel Chapoutier: « It’s not an attack on the concerned wine…
Opinion »
Domaine de Fondrèche sera présent au salon VINISUD * du 20 au 22 février 2012. Avant cet évènement, Sébastien Vincenti en profite pour nous parler de son vin rosé à 12° et partager ses impressions sur le millésime 2010.
Opinion »
Domaine de Fondrèche will attend the next VINISUD* wine fair in France. Before this event, Sébastien Vincenti tells us more about his rosé wine (12% alcohol) and also shares with us his impressions on the beautiful 2010 vintage. Lire la Version française
From vines planted in the Southern Rhone Valley, your rosé wine called “Instant Rosé” is 12 percent alcohol. How can you achieve such a performance in your region?
Sébastien Vincenti: « It is the fruit of 10 years of hard work. Ten years of research, of experimentation on the…
Opinion »
Loire Valley: Count Henry d’Assay, owner of Chateau de Tracy in Pouilly Fume, gave us an interview about the last consecutive vintages 2008, 2009 and 2010.
How would you define those three years in Pouilly Fume?
2008, 2009 and 2010 are three consecutive vintages with different and clearly identifiable characters. Of course, considering our two cuvees Haute Densite (100% limestone) and 101 Rangs (100% flint), 2008 and 2010 are the wines that I love for their purity, focus and outstanding aging potential. As I considered not to have reached this exceptional achievement in 2009, I decided not to produce those two cuvees. The Grand Vin du Chateau de Tracy has the great privilege to benefit from these rare cuvees for the…
Opinion »
Le Liv-Ex Fine Wine vient de sortir les chiffres du mois de Janvier 2012. Hors Bordeaux, Chapoutier fait partie du Top 3 des grands vins recherchés dans le Monde avec ceux de Comte de Vogue et du Domaine de la Romanée Conti. Interview avec Michel Chapoutier:
Comment expliquez vous cet engouement ?
Michel Chapoutier: « On sent, en effet, depuis quelques mois une dynamique trés forte sur les nouveaux marchés. Les acheteurs de grands vins ont commencé avec les 1er crus classés de Bordeaux et notamment le fameux Lafite Rothschild. Puis aujourd’hui ils découvrent le plaisir des meilleurs vins d’autres régions de France. Cela passe bien sûr par la Bourgogne avec notamment la Romanée Conti…
Opinion »
Liv-Ex Fine Wine has just released its monthly figures of January 2012 (report here). Chapoutier is the 2nd most non-Bordeaux traded brand in January 2012 betwwen Comte Vogue (n°1) and Romanee Conti (n°3). An interview with Michel Chapoutier :
How do you explain this keen interest?
Michel Chapoutier: « Indeed, we can feel a very strong dynamics over the last few months on emerging markets. Buyers of fine wines started with the classified growths of Bordeaux, including the famous Lafite Rothschild. They now discover the pleasure of the best wines from other French regions. Of course, it means Burgundy including Domaine de la Romanée Conti but also our « selections parcellaires » and more precisely our Hermitage wines. Our daughter Mathilde is currently in China, at Beijing university, and she saw this enthusiasm going up gradually. «
Opinion »
We are celebrating the Chinese New Year with Jean Merlaut, owner of Chateau Gruaud Larose, who comments on the current situation of great Bordeaux wines in China.
How do you analyze the Chinese market for Bordeaux wines?
Jean Merlaut: « First of all, I wish a happy new year 过年好 to the chinese people all around the world. I would also add 年年有余 to these wishes, which means a beautiful harvest…When the Chinese market opened, it was initially directed to very cheap wines with poor quality and also to extremely expensive wines as price was perceived as a proof of quality. Very quickly, the chinese consumer has gained excellent skills for tasting, I am often surprised by the accuracy of their palate and their high level of perception for aromas…
Opinion »
SPECIAL NOUVEL AN CHINOIS : Nous célébrons la nouvelle année chinoise avec Jean Merlaut, propriétaire du Château Gruaud Larose, en faisant un point avec lui sur la situation des grands vins de Bordeaux en Chine.
Comment analysez-vous le marché chinois pour les grands vins de Bordeaux ?
Jean Merlaut: « Tout d’adord je tiens à souhaiter une belle nouvelle année 过年好 aux chinois du monde entier. J’accompagnerai mes voeux en souhaitant à tous 年年有余, c’est à dire une belle année de récolte. Quand le marché chinois s’est ouvert, il s’est dans un premier temps dirigé vers des vins très bon marché et de piètre qualité et aussi sur des vins très chers, le prix pouvant sembler un gage de qualité. Le consommateur chinois a su acquérir très vite d’excellentes aptitudes à la dégustation, je suis souvent surpris de la précision des palais et de la sureté du nez…
Opinion »
A few months before the new En Primeur campaign, Jean Merlaut, owner of Chateau Gruaud Larose, discusses the 2011 Vintage
Opinion »
At VitaBella Luxury Wine and more recently VitaBella 4U (dedicated to a broader range of wine estates that want to communicate internationally), we are fortunate to work with extremely successful chateaux and properties. Our unique goal is our motto: Taking Wine Estates to the Next Level. Many international wine estates we are working for are already famous and some are achieving great results to create powerful brands and build a stronger image. Among those wine estates, we are delighted to announce our two Revelations of the Year 2011 : Azienda Gulfi & Champagne de Venoge.
Being awarded again this week 2nd best Vintage Champagne by the UK wine magazine Decanter and with 5 new high scores given by the US Wine Spectator this month, Champagne de Venoge is the « evident » revelation of the Year 2011 in the portfolio of French wine estates VitaBella is working with. Over the last 5 years, we have seen Champagne de Venoge on international magazines’ covers and its champagnes have been praised by some of the most prestigious wine critics…
