• Post author:

China on course to be the world’s second largest consumer market for wine by 2020

New wine import figures released by the Chinese government give us a glimpse into China’s consumer preferences in this burgeoning market. The latest report from the Chinese government reveals that in 2017 overall imports of bottled wine in China rose by 14.6% in volume and 16.4% in value compared to 2016, putting this country on course to be the second largest market in the wine industry by 2020. The figures also show that the Chinese are still buying French: French wines remain the market leader and account for 40% of the market share.…

Continue ReadingChina on course to be the world’s second largest consumer market for wine by 2020
  • Post author:

America leads the way in wine consumption

The latest study from Vinexpo/ International Wine and Spirit Research is out, and it makes for interesting reading. According to this research our friends across the pond are buying more wine than ever, and they’re spending more on it too. America has dominated the market for quite some time: it has been the largest wine consuming nation for the past 23 years and has shown consistent growth. Not only are American wine drinkers buying more wine than ever, they are also spending more than ever, with the average price spent on a bottle…

Continue ReadingAmerica leads the way in wine consumption
  • Post author:

Mixed case of 2010 Romanée-Conti goes for €36,723 at auction

A case of Romanée-Conti Grands Crus sold for €36,723 at auction at iDealwine on 18th January, a sale that sees a price increase of 30% for each wine. This case included some of the most sought-after wines from the legendary Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in Vosne-Romanée. This lot started the New Year off in style and sets the tone for 2018 auctions. No doubt the vintage of these wines affected the price enormously as 2010 is now being considered one of the strongest in France, especially in Burgundy. 2010 produced high quality wines…

Continue ReadingMixed case of 2010 Romanée-Conti goes for €36,723 at auction
  • Post author:

The 2016 vintage in France (part 1)

It’s here! The long awaited 2016 vintage is starting to appear on the shelves and, apart from having to endure a few freaks of nature, it was another good year in keeping with the excellent 2015 This week we are focusing on how the northern French regions fared from Alsace, Jura, Savoy and Burgundy to Beaujolais, Champagne and the Loire Valley. Alsace Dry whites: 16/20 Sweet wines: 14/20 Reds: 15/20 2016 will go down in history as an as unusual year, particularly concerning the staggering of the harvest from mid-September until the beginning…

Continue ReadingThe 2016 vintage in France (part 1)
  • Post author:

New Crus Bourgeois classification finalised

It's official: the new Crus Bourgeois classification was adopted at the end of 2017. And the outcome is… the reinstatement of the three former categories – Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgeois Superiors and Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel – along with the reintroduction of the five-year ranking in line with the organisation's wishes. The Crus Bourgeois had been talking about it for long enough, and now it's happened. On January 4th, the decree of December 29th was published in the Journal officiel, confirming the change to the Crus Bourgeois classification. The headline news: a return to…

Continue ReadingNew Crus Bourgeois classification finalised
  • Post author:

Auction Report: Rayas & Bonneau

Rare wines and collectors’ bottles from former estates or from producers who have left the stage: iDealwine’s auction catalogues were full of these in the final auctions of 2017. Among them, two giants clashed in Châteauneuf: Domaine Henri Bonneau and the wines of Château Rayas. Two styles and two personalities to which wine lovers simply cannot remain indifferent. Here is a spotlight on the fine auctions of this sale. Jacques Reynaud, Henri Bonneau ... the memory of these two cult figures of Châteauneuf du Pape continues through their wines. The bottles produced by…

Continue ReadingAuction Report: Rayas & Bonneau
  • Post author:

Champagne & sparkling: still highly seasonal wines!

VinoVision Paris – an international trade show for wines from northern France – has published a fascinating analysis which overturns the received wisdom on the consumption of sparkling wines in France... and makes sobering reading for all the champagne lovers here at iDealwine. In the run-up to its 2nd edition, which is to be held from 12-14 February 2018, VInovision Paris has released a number of interesting statistics on sparkling wine consumption, generated by a study conducted by the Kantar Worldpanel institute. Lovers of champagne or other effervescent wines may find this next…

Continue ReadingChampagne & sparkling: still highly seasonal wines!
  • Post author:

Obituary: Robert Wilmers from Haut-Bailly

The proprietor of Château Haut-Bailly, a classified cru vineyard in Graves, died at his home in New York on Saturday, 16th December. The world of wine has paid tribute to this businessman who was CEO of the American M&T Bank Corporation and also a great lover of wine and art and supporter of many French and American cultural institutions. An entrepreneur, Mr Wilmers was both a financier and a wine connoisseur. He was Chief Executive of the American M&T Bank Corporation and acquired Château Haut-Bailly in 1998 and Château Le Pape in 2012.…

Continue ReadingObituary: Robert Wilmers from Haut-Bailly
  • Post author:

Romanée-Conti 2000: new auction record on iDealwine at €17,146

During the online auction that ended online on 15th November 2017 on iDealwine, a bottle of Romanée-Conti 2000 was auctioned €17,146 to a French amateur. This iconic bottle from La Romanée-Conti is setting the new record for the most expensive wine sold on iDealwine since its foundation! The new most expensive wine in the history of iDealwine auctions since its creation in 2000 is, without much surprise, Grand Cru Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 2000. For once, a French amateur purchased this wonderful bottle that is undeniably at the top of fine wines, with…

Continue ReadingRomanée-Conti 2000: new auction record on iDealwine at €17,146
  • Post author:

Cornas: soaring auctions at the last moment

Cornas appellation has once again been in the spotlight in recent days, with a 1988 vintage from Marcel Judge reaching €572 during the auction of 15th November on iDealwine. Let's focus on the signatures that are currently making the buzz. The Rhône is definitely a region to follow closely. To the North, the appellations Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie offer immense red wines with long ageing potentials, but also treasures in the production areas surrounding them. This is why Cornas continues to see its prices climb. This appellation, which has been booming since the beginning…

Continue ReadingCornas: soaring auctions at the last moment