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Jancis Robinson on the evolution of wine since 1985

Last week, the famous wine critic Jancis Robinson published an article on her website in which she analyses the evolution of wine and viticulture around the world since 1985. Some of the factors that emerged from this analysis include the globalisation of the wine trade, "francisation" of grapes around the world, the emergence of New World wines, the globalisation of tastes and wines, and finally, in a kind of countermovement, the promotion of identity and uniqueness of terroir. In 1985, Australia exported only 2% of its wine production (compared to 60% today). This…

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Read more about the article Stephan von Neipperg invests in South Africa
Baron Stephan von Neipperg
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Stephan von Neipperg invests in South Africa

Count Stephan von Neipperg, owner of (among others) Châteaux Canon La Gaffelière and La Mondotte, has expanded his portfolio by investing in Capaia Wines near Philadelphia in South Africa. Aside from Canon La Gaffelière (premier grand cru of Saint-Emilion) and Mondotte (premier grand cru of Saint-Emilion), Stephan von Neipperg is also the owner of Peyreau (Saint-Emilion), Aiguilhe (Côte de Castillon), Clos de l'Oratoire (grand cru of Saint-Emilion) and Clos Marsalette (Pessac-Léognan). He also has interests in Châteaux Guiraud (Sauternes) and Soleil (Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion), and is the co-owner of domaine Bessa Valley, in the Pazardjik region…

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Read more about the article View from the top at London Wine Fair
The six wines tasted during the iDealwine blind tasting competition
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View from the top at London Wine Fair

What an exciting few days it has been! Last week, iDealwine exhibited at the London Wine Fair for the first time, as part of the newly launched premium wine section, The View. In-between seeing old friends, making new ones and tasting some amazing wines, we also put our visitors’ taste-buds to the test with our blind tasting competition. While the jury is still out as to the exact visitor numbers, the 35th edition of this world-leading trade event can no-doubt be hailed a success. Held again at Olympia London, the fair was set…

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Attractive euro boosts WineDex: 2.23% increase for April

The iDealwine indices recorded a strong performance in April, largely boosted by the weak euro. The iDealwine 100 indice rose by 2.23%, owing much of its growth to the global demand for Burgundy, which increased by 3.10%.   The prices recorded on auction in April were boosted by Burgundy, with the regional iDealwine Burgundy indice appreciating by 3.10% during this period. Some bottles recorded price jumps of 80%, both for reds – including the Chambertins of mature vintages of the 1980s – and whites, for example Meursault Perrière of Coche-Dury. In fact, Burgundy…

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Bordeaux 2011-2014 for every style and pocket

Following the 2014 En Primeur tastings last month – when the wine world quite literally descended on Bordeaux – a group of grands crus producers recently crossed the English Channel to present their 2011 to 2014 wines to London’s trade and media. A matter of price The price of Bordeaux is constantly in the limelight, from the hype surrounding the annual En Primeur campaigns, to the high auction prices often achieved by prestigious first growths. While prices of the top wines have been slowing over the last year (the iDealwine iDealwine indicefor Bordeaux…

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1945 – The Victory Year

Today marks the end of the Second World War in Western Europe, when 70 years ago on the 8th of May 1945, Germany unconditionally surrendered. In France, the churches rang out the end of the war and people took to the streets in joyous celebration, while General de Gaulle announced that “victory is ours”. As if to celebrate the end of the war, 1945 is also considered one of the best vintages of all time in Bordeaux! Some wine regions may claim to produce a great vintage, or even a “vintage of the…

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Bordeaux 1990, Rousseau, Rayas and old Armagnac in the spotlight

Attracting more than 550 buyers, the Online Auction that closed on the 29th of April recorded a surge in prices of certain Bordeaux and Burgundy wines. Krug Champagne and aged spirits also garnered good results. Bidders from 25 countries, from all four corners of the world, competed for the great wines of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhône and Champagne, not forgetting the Loire, as well as some rare and aged spirits. In Bordeaux, Petrus remained the top performer. Even lesser vintages, such as the 2007 (€1,680), or classic years like 2004 (€1,620), recorded price increases.…

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Petrus, Krug and wines from Chambertin, Cornas and Alsace in the spotlight

The latest Online Auction that closed on the 15th of April attracted nearly 500 buyers from 30 different countries. All regions garnered interest, in particular wines from Chambertin, Cornas and Alsace, while Petrus and Krug were also stand-out performers. Among the great wines of Bordeaux, Petrus is clearly distinguished, with prices on the rise for all vintages, from the classic years, to the highly sought-after 2000, which sold for €3,360 (+6%). The 2011 Petrus that recently started to appear at sales, already registered good growth compared to the iDealwine estimate, reaching €1,680 (+17%).…

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A thirst for Rhône

While Bordeaux and Burgundy remain synonymous with fine wine investment, the Rhône Valley is growing in popularity, with renewed interest in top wines particularly from Côte Rôtie and Hermitage. In addition, the entire Côtes du Rhône AOC experienced a 27% value growth in the UK over the last decade. iDealwine’s iDealwine Rhône indice registered an increase of 6.95% for the first quarter of 2015 – more than either Burgundy (+5.49%) or Bordeaux (-1.23%). Angélique de Lencquesaing, co-founder of iDealwine, explains that the Rhône Valley has become one of the most praised regions over…

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Read more about the article Biodynamic, organic, sustainable?
Credit: Pontet-Canet
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Biodynamic, organic, sustainable?

An introduction to sustainability Impossible to miss, this yearly “grande messe” of the En Primeur, where about 5,000 wine trade and press gather talking, gossiping, swirling, spitting, bashing or praising the new releases. For my second year of this tasting, I was glad to discover a better vintage than 2013. Part of the iDealwine team of four visiting this year, we tasted hundreds of extremely (often too) young juices full of tannins and anthocyanins, all the way from the left to the right bank. We finished our two-day visit with obviously black teeth,…

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