2015 wine: a reference year for Southern French regions
Continuing our saga on the 2015 vintage, let’s head south, with great successes, especially for Bordeaux Grands Crus.
Continuing our saga on the 2015 vintage, let’s head south, with great successes, especially for Bordeaux Grands Crus.
After the superb 2015 and 2016, will the 2017 fall under the curse of the vintages finishing by "7"? If the quality is generally there, the quantities are lacking in certain regions or appellations, with a historically low harvest. Complicated weather conditions On 1st October 2017, the French Department of Agriculture reckoned the harvest was going to be down 18% compared to the five-year average[i]. Wine production is estimated at 36.9 million hectolitres, 19% lower than 2016. The harvest is thus historically low, and even lower than 1991, which also experienced a historic…
The long-awaited 2015 wine announced as exceptional, is now bottled, and can be bought. To guide you through your purchases, iDealwine reviews the situation region by region. And we start with the vineyards from the north of the hexagon, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Champagne, Alsace, Jura and Savoie. Red Burgundies at the top Like almost everywhere in France, in 2015, Burgundy benefited from good weather conditions. The tone was set in spring: the vintage will be precocious. Flowering took place early June, announcing grape harvest late August and early September. A year also marked by…
The appellation Pomerol has attracted the appetite of amateurs during the online auction which ended on 29th August. Let’s discuss this world-famous appellation, and more particularly a cru which is starting to draw attention to it, Château La Fleur Petrus. On the scale of Bordeaux, Pomerol is simply microscopic: it covers 813 hectares which represents barely 0.7% of the vines planted in the region. The fabulous terroir of the appellation, identified in Roman times, was later exploited by the order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knight's Hospitaller. Pomerol was a popular stopover for…
Icon from Côte de Nuits, Domaine Leroy triggers connoisseur’s interest, because of the excellent level of the wines and their rarity; these wines are almost unfindable on the market. The online auction closed on 27th September featured a rare series of grands crus produced by Lalou Bize-Leroy, which inevitably sparked off record bids. The name of Lalou Bize-Leroy and the one of her domain have Grail value in the imagination of wine lovers. As a great figure of the wine world, she enjoys a fine knowledge of Burgundian terroir since she was a…
For a few months now, a new phenomenon has emerged on iDealwine online auctions: some marginal wines, called natural wines or “nature” wines have soaring prices. Is this a simple fad or a new long-lasting trend? What should we think of this surprising inflation and will it concern an increasing number of domains? Analysis. Several renowned bottles have seen their prices increase tremendously, like Lafite-Rothschild, Romanée-Conti and Clos Rougeard. For such names to be expensive, it’s quite normal. What’s worrying amateurs is that even lesser very qualitative bottles are becoming more expensive like…
In the kingdom of Pinot Meunier, in Crouttes sur Marne, halfway between Reims and Paris, the vines from Champagne Bourgeois-Diaz have thoroughly become biodynamic, since 2009. Over a few years, Jérôme Diaz became the preacher of this philosophy which glows through his sharp cuvées. Would you like to taste them? Back to basics In his youth, Jérôme Diaz didn’t want to work at the domain. He used to help his parents in the vineyard, but it bored him. He wanted to work in the trade and ended up in an industrial supply company…
iDealwine took part in the City Wine show this weekend. This event in the City of London got several wine producers and merchants together. Little recap of this event, for those who didn’t have the chance to participate or for those who would like to relive the moment! City Wine Show: iDealwine stand iDealwine was present both days on the show, Friday and Saturday. As many New World wines were displayed, iDealwine stood out with its selection of fine wines from France. Some of the bottles really gathered crowds, like the Château Beychevelle…
The latest auction on iDealwine, which ended on 13th September, was full of rare wines. Focus on some of these exceptional lots. Two auctions per month on iDealwine: the pace is sustained, as nearly 100,000 bottles are sold via our platform at auction. And yet, each sale has its treasures, sourced from Europe finest cellars. The last auction illustrated well this fact. Yquem, huge and exceptional Right in the foreground, this catalog offered an exceptional series of large bottles from the Château d'Yquem. Unsurprisingly, it was the vintage 1990 (Parker points?) – a…
With an exemplary regularity, Pol Roger champagnes are recognizable by their winey aromas, depth and roundness; they are often matured for a long time in the house’s cellars and still have a long ageing potential. In 1849, as he was only 18 years old, Pol Roger founded his trading house in Aÿ before settling in Epernay in 1851. In 1855 he began to favour the production of brut champagnes, much appreciated by English consumers. He died in 1899, leaving behind him a house of enviable reputation. At the beginning of the XIXth century,…
Let’s go to the Côte d'Or, with a focus on Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret located in Vosne-Romanée, between the legendary Château du Clos Vougeot and the small village of Nuits-Saint-Georges. The family has been taking care of the vines for more than eight generations! The story begins in 1620. The reputation of Mongeard-Mugneret is due to its old-age, the finesse of its wines, the subtlety of its terroirs and the extent of its domain. The combination of the vines of Eugène Mongeard and his wife Edmée Mugneret gave birth to an important property of 30…
iDealwine iDealwine indice100 index has increased by 6.50% since January and outperformed the CAC40, which increased by 5.48% at the end of August 2017. This increase is due to an excellent performance of Burgundy wines. iDealwine’s indices are at the top since the beginning of the year. As a reminder, the iDealwine indices measure the price fluctuations of a selection of top Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhône wines at auction. These indicators are calculated from the iDealwine auction price estimates, and each of the wines included in the indice iDealwine selection are declined in…
Our Tour de France of the most expensive wines is coming to an end. But we still haven’t spoken of Burgundy and its grands crus, although at auction, it represents 31% in volume and 46% in value. Our series of rankings ends on a grand final with one of the most fantasised regions during this first half-year: Burgundy, of course, the kingdom of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. As a reminder, in order to establish this first half-year ranking, we decided to keep only the most expensive wine of each property, auctioned on iDealwine.…
Let's continue the regional rankings of grands crus sold at auction during the first half of 2017, with great champagnes. Within this TOP20 we only find vintage (and old) champagnes with renowned names. Our series of regional rankings is not far from being finished, but it was impossible to ignore champagnes. As a reminder, in order to establish this first half-year ranking, we decided to keep only the most expensive wine of each property, auctioned on iDealwine. Moreover, if the wine was sold in a magnum, its price is converted to its bottle…
In a recent article, we explained 10 good reasons to bid on iDealwine. Now let’s turn to tips and tricks, you could find useful to succeed in bidding! Maximum bid function The advantage of online auctions versus physical ones is of course that that you don’t have to be physically present, but also that you can bid whenever you want to, especially on iDealwine with the maximum bid option. With this system, you can place a maximum bid at any time and thus avoid to connect in the last minutes of the closing.…
Our regional ranking of grands crus sold at auction in the first half of 2017 would obviously not be complete without a focus on Bordeaux wines, a region that still accounts for more than 50% of sales on iDealwine, making it, therefore, the first region in terms of volume traded at auction. As a reminder, in order to establish this first half-year ranking, we decided to keep only the most expensive wine of each property, auctioned on iDealwine. Moreover, if the wine was sold in a magnum, its price is converted to its…
Vin Jaune (French for “yellow wines”), great terroirs or exceptional sweet wines: our Tour de France of regional rankings at auction continues with a trip to the vineyards from the East of France, a wine-growing area with very specific characteristics that make them, therefore, very interesting regions. As a reminder, in order to establish this first half-year ranking, we decided to keep only the most expensive wine of each property, auctioned on iDealwine. Moreover, if the wine was sold in a magnum, its price is converted to its bottle equivalent to allow a…
On the theme of the current great ecological evolutions, this ninth edition of Villa d'Este Wine Symposium will take place from 9th to 12th November on the banks of Lake Como. A brief overview of the program of these three days of high-level meetings and exchanges. Every year since 2009 François Mauss, founder of the European Grand Jury and renowned blogger, brings together the top of the crop from the wine world in the exceptional setting of Villa d'Este for three days of meetings, debates and tastings. An unmissable event, also called "Davos…
Both red and white wines from château Rayas have livened up the online auction, which ended on 16th August on iDealwine. Château Rayas occupies a special place in amateurs’ hearts and in the auction landscape. As we have been following the evolution of this mythical domain’s prices from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, for nearly 20 years, we have only very rarely seen them drop. The rarity, of course, and the difficulty of finding wines elsewhere than at the domain (or on iDealwine J) contribute to making Rayas one of the best blue chips among the great…
The tasting world can be hard to grasp, so here's our guide to talking about a wine's finish.
During July, the auction market was still wide awake! Buyers from all over the world fought for the best wines from Burgundy with continuous rising prices. Beautiful auctions on great Burgundy names During both auctions in July, once again, the famous Burgundy domains have had remarkable performances. Indeed, particularly during the sale that ended on 26th July, Engel, Dujac and Vogüé domains registered prices way above their iDealwine estimates. Domaine René Engel: Domaine René Engel (now called Domaine d’Eugénie since its purchase by François Pinault in 2006) is a vineyard of 7 hectares…
After Loire and Rhône rankings, let’s discover how the South of France is doing, with these wonderful wines full of sunshine! A brief summary of the most expensive wines sold at auction during the first half of 2017 with the top 20 of Languedoc wines and of Roussillon, the top 15 of Provence, and the top 5 of Corsican wines. Languedoc As the region's leader, Domaine de la Grange des Pères now benefits from a worldwide catchment. Its owner, Laurent Vaillé, works according to biodynamic principles, without being certified. If the red cuvée…
Let's continue our Tour de France of the rankings of the most expensive wines sold at auction in the first half of 2017, with Loire wines. If the top of the podium is trusted by the regional stars, there are also very confidential and less famous domains. Loire wines are known to be worth their money. Even if prices remain reasonable, some domains saw them soar at auction, like the famous Clos Rougeard, but also other more confidential ones. If we rank the auctions recorded on iDealwine during the first six months of…
Last week, iDealwine organised in collaboration with HEC Wine Club UK, a masterclass in the City centre of London. About thirty guests, mainly from the Parisian Business School, attended this event, at the top in terms of wines and height. Little summary of the evening, to make you (re)live the moment. Enjoy! Ideal setting in the City of London After taking a lift to the 16th floor, we arrived in the offices of the law firm Browne Jacobson offices, offering a wonderful view on the City towers. As the sun goes down on…
As in any industry, transactions are usual for the wine sector. Guigal acquired Domaine de Nalys at the end of July. A new adventure for the family historically from northern Rhône which now turns towards the southern part, starting with a prestigious name: Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape are known worldwide and this may arouse certain interests. Consequence: at the end of July 2017, Guigal announced purchasing Domaine de Nalys from Groupama, which owned it since 1975. This acquisition enables Guigal, historically based in Ampuis, to conquer the South of the region, where it…
Louis Jadot, one of the great Burgundy producers, has just acquired the Domaine Prieur-Brunet, a vineyard of 18 hectares spread over prestigious appellations from Côte de Beaune: great addition to Jadot, already present in nearly 130 appellations of Burgundy. The famous Louis Jadot house, anchored in Beaune, with a 225-hectare vineyard from Côte-d'Or, Mâconnais and Beaujolais, extends its wine portfolio in Santenay, by purchasing Prieur-Brunet. This family property was created in 1804 by Claude and Jean Prieur. It was still family owned until today, managed by Dominique Prieur and her son Guillaume, representing…
During the first half of 2017, wines from the Rhône represented 13% of the volumes sold at auction on iDealwine. Here are the TOP 20 cuvées which have recorded the highest price rises since the beginning of the year. The Rhône is the first stop of this "Tour de France" of great domains. After an eclipse in the auction market, due partly to soaring prices on great Burgundy wines, Rhône wines are gradually regaining the front of the scenes. The WineDex® Rhône indices, fueled in particular by US demand, recorded an increase of…
The French public auction regulation authority, the CVV (Conseil des ventes volontaires), has recently ranked iDealwine first French auction house. It is now time for us to reveal the 50 most expensive lots and bottles sold at auction. Brief description of this (very) positive report. Since 1st January, 14 auctions took place on iDealwine platform, with more than 56,000 bottles sold. During these six months, not only have Bordeaux and Burgundy concentrated the largest volume of auctions (68% of the lots sold), but they both literally won the highest bids, with Bordeaux in…
Honouring a career spanning over 40 years, May de Lencquesaing, ‘Grande Dame’ of Glenelly Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, shareholder of iDealwine and former owner of Pichon Longueville de Lalande, has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s International Wine Challenge (IWC). The IWC Lifetime Achievement Award honours a person within the trade who has shown dedication and commitment, and has made a significant difference to the global wine industry. Now in its 34th year, the IWC is widely regarded as one of the world’s finest and most meticulously judged wine competitions. The…
After Trump’s visit last week in Paris for Bastille Day, another hot French-American topic hits the headlines, this time in the wine business: the French Michelin Guide has taken over 40% of the capital of Robert Parker’s very famous American wine critic company, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (RPWA). Robert Parker long found it was regrettable that wine and gastronomy were dissociated by specialized critics. However, beginning of July, the purchase of 40% of RPWA’s capital by Michelin demonstrates that these two worlds are made to work together. As a reminder, the American critic…