Pinotgate: Gallo taken for a ride
February 24th 2010, by Gavin
The biggest wine scam for years hit the headlines this month as 12 French merchants and Co-op executives from the Languedoc were fined and given suspended jail terms for flogging the equivalent of 18 million bottles of fake Pinot Noir to the US giant Gallo for their brand Red Bicyclette.
We don’t know whether to laugh or cry, or both. I couldn’t stop laughing when I first read about it - until I pictured the image of the guy chuckling at a gag before realising that the joke was on him. It’s immensely damaging to France, and especially to the Languedoc, at a time when French wine exports are plunging. Having spoken to a few of our customers in passing, more than one mentioned the Austrian Anti-Freeze scandal. And that was 25 years ago.
Pinot-Chio: 12 Great Quotes
February 23rd 2010, by Gavin
1. “Our vines are cultivated in the Languedoc-Roussilon region with Old World passion and simplicity. Made from carefully selected grapes prized for their character and balance, the flavor reflects France’s famous winemaking expertise, but with a relaxed style.” Red Bicyclette website, home page.
2. “Between 2006 and 2008, Languedoc exported 160 million bottles of Pinot Noir which is odd, considering the entire region produced only 67 million bottles of Pinot Noir. You do the math, but that is a boatload, no, an aircraft carrier-load of fake wine. How could this happen? Greed, my friends, and a mega-producer like Gallo and their flagship Languedoc wine, Red Bicyclette, to support it.” David Flaherty, Grapes and Grains, NYC.
Pinotgate: Sideways and Freedom Fries
February 22nd 2010, by Gavin
It all started here.
“Um, it’s a hard grape to grow, as you know. Right? It’s uh, it’s thin-skinned, temperamental, ripens early. It’s, you know, it’s not a survivor like Cabernet, which can just grow anywhere and uh, thrive even when it’s neglected. No, Pinot needs constant care and attention. You know? And in fact it can only grow in these really specific, little, tucked away corners of the world. And, and only the most patient and nurturing of growers can do it, really. Only somebody who really takes the time to understand Pinot’s potential can then coax it into its fullest expression. Then, I mean, oh its flavors, they’re just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and… ancient on the planet.”
Miles, from the Oscar-nominated 2004 film, Sideways.
Fry and Laurie wine tasting
February 21st 2010, by Gavin
As we said in our February newsletter, I had a tasting with the team of sommeliers and buyers from Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants at Claridge’s in London, right. They’d be the first to admit that the video above makes better viewing.
Curious Wines tasting: Château Bauduc Bordeaux Blanc 2008
February 20th 2010, by Gavin
Mike Kane of Curious Wines in Ireland talks through our Château Bauduc Bordeaux Blanc Sec 2008. “A cracking wine for your money” and no, we didn’t put him up to it. To buy the wine in the UK, click this link to our order page.
Mike’s Curious Wines blog is here, including a rambling interview with your’s truly.
January Newsletter
January 27th 2010, by Gavin
If you would like our monthly newsletter in your inbox, simply type in your first name and email address in the box at the top of this website. Click on the newsletter image to open any of the links:
3 x £250 Wine Draw Winners
January 25th 2010, by Gavin
Three lucky winners of our free monthly prize draw have been pulled out of the hat for the last quarter of 2009. They are
Shinal Radia (for October 2009)
Tim Dennis (November)
Vicky Hastings (December)
Each winner wins £250 worth of Chateau Bauduc wine of your choice. Please email angela@bauduc.com to claim your prize.
5 Tips for Choosing Wine in a Restaurant
January 22nd 2010, by Gavin
Jean-Marie Pratt - pictured here in informal attire - has been the Head Sommelier at Gordon Ramsay’s eponymous three Michelin star restaurant in Chelsea for three years, and is off on 1 February on a sabbatical, working in wineries around the world. Before he flies off, he has these words of advice to customers when choosing wine in a ‘fine dining’ restaurant.
We’re up, thanks, but how was it for you?
January 15th 2010, by Gavin
Hot on the heels of the positive spin coming from the major UK retailers about their Christmas sales, including Majestic’s 12% increase in the nine weeks of the festive season, we’re delighted that our UK wine sales were up 35% by value in November and December compared to the same months in 2008. This excludes Bauduc Bond sales which don’t count just yet, as they are filed under ‘Bordeaux futures’.
What’s quite interesting is that we actually sent out less emails out to customers in 2009, contrary to what you might think: six from 1st October to Christmas - one a fortnight - compared to eight in 2008. We’re learning that no-one likes being inundated with crap when an occasional offer or seasonal reminder will do. Our Christmas Gazette - “A Season to be Jolly” - sent in the UK post certainly helped.
What Le Fungus? The Funniest Vineyard Clip of the Decade
January 7th 2010, by Gavin
Richie Benaud OBE, the famous Australian cricketer and commentator, needs little introduction. What isn’t so well known is that he bought a vineyard in France to enjoy during his retirement. Like vines, the old ones are the best, and this audio sketch is our favourite of the last decade. Thanks to Tom G and Andrew Q for sharing it. We like it because it’s a little too close to the truth for comfort and sums up our first ten years here (”it’s votre derrière if les grapes morts”).
Play Richie Benaud’s chat with his French vineyard manager
[audio http://blog.bauduc.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/how_australians_speak_french.mp3]