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]
December Newsletter
December 15th 2009, by Gavin
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Top Bordeaux: Investment of the Decade
December 10th 2009, by Gavin
Here’s a sobering thought at this time of year, especially if you’ve been drinking your stock of old Lafite. A report in the Guardian, entitled ‘How alternative investments have fared since 2000′, showed that the top wines from Bordeaux have been the best investment since 2000, ‘earning returns that far outstripped equities, gold and property.’
In short, the ‘Big Eight’ - Lafite, Latour, Margaux, Mouton, and Haut-Brion (the five First Growths from the Left Bank) along with Pétrus from Pomerol, and Cheval Blanc and Ausone from St-Emilion (all Right Bank), have all proved to be solid performers.
Champagne Going Cheap
December 8th 2009, by Gavin
It’s the silly season as UK supermarkets do battle over Champagne prices this Christmas. The marketing directors of many of the Grandes Marques must be hopping mad, as Morrisons have been selling Moët at just over £14 and Bollinger at £17.95. It’s 43 euros in our local caviste near Bordeaux (right).
Several wine and money-saving sites have been keeping tabs on the best deals. Decanter’s website covers both the UK supermarkets and the High Street, while moneysavingexpert.com can be relied upon to chisel out the savings in times like this.
The independents have been less than impressed with some of the more spurious claims of 50% off, and they’re right to expose any deliberate attempts to con the consumer. Or should we just grit our teeth and rise above it?
Big X from Rick, Oz, Hugh and Gordon
December 5th 2009, by Gavin
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