A morning spent at Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
Spending a few hours at Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in the company of Aubert de Villaine is a true honour. We recount our very special visit to this prestigious domain.
How to choose a good wine (even when you know nothing about wine)
Picking a wine can seem a daunting task, especially to neophytes! We’ve compiled a list of the golden rules to follow so you can choose a bottle with confidence.
Domaine Etienne Sauzet, the splendour of the Puligny-Montrachet terroir
A reference of Puligny-Montrachet, Domaine Etienne Sauzet produces refined and elegant wines that are world renowned. Learn more about our new partner domain.
Domaine La Bouïssière: wines with altitude
Nestled in the heart of the Dentelles de Montmirail lies Domaine la Bouïssière, a jewel in the crown of Gigondas. We learn more about this family domain.
The principle grape varieties of France | Part 3: The South West
Next stop: South West France. From the peaks of the Pyrénées to the fringes of Bordeaux, we look at the weird and wonderful varieties of this great region.
Meanwhile in France…Macron affirms wine’s position in French culture
Wine has found itself unwillingly in the headlines in recent months. We look at the debate surrounding France’s much adored national drink.
Jean-Marie Guffens-Heynen, master of the Mâconnais
Jean-Marie Guffens-Heynen’s reputation precedes him. Hailed as a master of Chardonnay, Jean-Marie has been influential in elevating the reputation of Mâconnais wines. The success story of his small Vergisson domain has put this little slice of Burgundy on the map. We were fortunate enough to talk to Jean-Marie and learn more about this iconic domain. It was in the 1970s that Maine and Jean-Marie Guffens-Heynen made the decision to pack up and leave their native Flanders. They headed to Burgundy in the pursuit of learning French and becoming winemakers. After a pleasant sabbatical…
The principle grape varieties of France | Part 2: Alsace
This week in our tour of the grape varieties of France we head to Alsace. Its perilous location on the German border has given this region a unique viticultural heritage and influences from both countries permeate the wines produced here today. It runs 100km in length from North to South but spans only 2 to 15km in width. With the Vosges Mountains to the West and the Black Forest to the East, this narrow and picturesque slice of France is a series of rolling hills and valleys carpeted in vines and interspersed with…
Champagne exports in 2017: a record year
The Comité Champagne (Comité interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne) has announced that Champagne has set a new record for turnover in 2017, with sales reaching €4.9 billion. This strong progression has been fuelled by a growing international market and a subsequent increase in exports. Last week the trade association Comité Champagne revealed the impressive Champagne sales figures for 2017. At €4.9 billion, 2017 has been a hugely successful year for Champagne producers. This is thanks mainly to an increase in exports which registered a 6.6% rise compared to 2016. The Comité Champagne also…
The principle grape varieties of France | Part 1: Bordeaux
Welcome to the iDealwine guide to the grape varieties of France! We’ll take you on a tour of all the finest French winemaking regions, explaining the key differences between the most commonly found grapes and their specific characteristics, with a little bit of history thrown in too. First stop, the legendary vineyards of Bordeaux. Petrus, Château Margaux, Château Mouton-Rothschild, Château d’Yquem… These domains are emblematic of this great region. Bordeaux is the second biggest winemaking region after the Languedoc-Roussillon and is divided into three different areas stretching across the Garonne and the Dordogne…