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APRIL 2008

News from the cellars

HOPES FOR THE 2007 VINTAGE

The Bordeaux wine regions have just seen wine jounalists and buyers flock to the area to taste the 2007 wines and we have their initial reactions.
You may recall from earlier interviews last year and this January that the weather in 2007 left a lot to be desired, not just for the holidaymaker but for the winemakers who had to be doubly on their toes to produce a palatable wine.
After a sunny April, May proved to be unusually wet and that is when mildew made its first appearance. It was an uphill battle from there on, with a cool and wet Summer. However the first 2 weeks of September were hot and sunny, basically saving the day for many growers.

Basic opinion is that the sweet and dry whites are generally delicious and have a great future, whereas the reds vary. The growers in the Médoc and our own Graves appellation area picked relatively late as the predominant grape variety, Cabernet Sauvignon is late ripener. In Pomerol and Saint Emilion the Merlot grape ripens earlier and the harvests took place mid-September. 2007 was a year where the wine grower's expertise was essential. Some have decided to counter the natural lack of tannins by ageing more in oak. Others have decided to produce a lighter wine than usual. Whatever their choice, 2007 reds will probably be better drunk earlier than previous vintages.

MARCH 2008

Events not to miss

WEEKEND DES GRANDS AMATEURS, 17 and 18 May 2008

On Saturday you can taste your way through more than 100 of the top class wines of the Bordeaux area (grands crus) on the trendy Quai des Chartrons by the River Garonne. In the evening you will be invited to dine with the owners in their magnificent châteaux in the Médoc, Graves, Sauternes, Saint Emilion and Pomerol regions.
On Sunday you can tour these châteaux, taste the wines and even take part in a golfing competition with the owners.

BORDEAUX FETE LE VIN, from 26 to 29 June 2008

4 unforgettable days combining wine, gastronomy, partying and culture. With a Wine Tasting Pass, you will be able to taste a whole miriad of different wines from the Bordeaux area with stands covering an area of more than 20 acres in the heart of Bordeaux. There are also concerts, exhibitions, cuminating in an incredible firework display by the riverside on the final evening. Definitely not to be missed.

JANUARY 2008

In the Vineyard

B'NB Bordeaux Aromas wanted to know more about Saint Emilion, the prestigious wine-producing village, whose unique medieval architecture earned it a UNESCO World Heritage Award. And what about the wines? Who better to ask then our own in-house wine scientist, Eric ZEDDAM, who lives and works in the area.

So, Eric, why does Saint Emilion have such a worldwide reputation?

"...well, it's a question of terroir, in other words its clayey/chalky soils and its predominantly south and south-east exposure to the sun. Also, Merlot represents 70% of the planted grape varieties (with the notable exception of Le Cheval Blanc). All around Saint Emilion, there are satellite villages which have the same characteristics: Puisseguin, Lussac, Montagne and St. Georges."

And how is the 2007 harvest faring?

"Initially, we thought that the crop was going to be catastrophic, but it was saved by the sunny and relatively cool months of September and October. So finally, we have been blessed with a high quality harvest. The wine is currently maturing in the cellars and the cold weather we are experiencing now is continuing the excellent work commenced this Autumn. We can look forward to another excellent vintage."

In the City of Bordeaux

For those of you who would like to combine a city break with your wine tasting holiday, we have identified bed and breakfast establishments in the centre of Bordeaux and facing the Garonne River which give the same quality of service and welcome which we aim to provide.

This beautiful city, which was recognized by UNESCO in 2007 as part of its World Heritage, is one of Europe's hidden secrets. We can help you discover it.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2007

In the Vineyard

October was a busy month for B'NB Bordeaux Aromas' guests as their wine tasting course coincided perfectly with this year's harvest. They were able to witness grape picking and pressing at first hand and taste the still fermenting new wine, le bourru, which goes down a real treat with roast chestnuts.
First stop was Château La Tour Blanche, the prestigious Grand Cru situated in the heart of the Sauternes area, just a stone's throw from Château Yquem.
The bilingual Public Relations manager, Didier, took time off from what is a frantic time of year, to explain how the Sauternes region narrowly escaped a catastrophe...

From May to August, the monthly rainfall varied from 10 to 15ml, just enough to enable to grapes to mature properly. However the endless and unusually heavy rains in September (63ml) were initially a cause of great concern. Fortunately they miraculously gave way to the morning mists and warm, sunny afternoons which are necessay for the development of noble rot on the grapes and which, once pressed, produce the nectar of Sauternes wine.

Over and above all expectations, 2007 will go down as a great year at La Tour Blanche, with high and quality grape yields and irreproachable aromas.

14 February 2007

In the Vineyard

Strolling around Sauternes' undulating countryside, you cannot fail to notice the telltale signs of smoke rising from the burning of recently cut prunings.
Here the saying goes that "one can only make good wine from good grapes" meaning that meticulous vineyard maintenance is essential. Pruning is one of the most important tasks in the vine grower's annual routine as it is the most efficient way for him or her to regulate future yields. By leaving a certain number of buds on the vine, the grower can calculate the number of bunches each vine will produce and also influence the future shape of the plant.
Throughout the Sauternes appellation area pruning takes place from December to March and the majority of vineyards adopt the "goblet" method which is specific to Sauternes. This imposes an extremely low yield (between four and eight bunches of grapes per plant), which will result in better quality grapes.
To avoid harbouring fungal diseases, traditional growers remove and rapidly burn the prunings whilst others prefer to chop them finely and leave them to decompose and thereby add structure to the soil.

In the Exhibition Hall

Between the 19th and 21st of January, B'NB Bordeaux Aromas took part in the annual Vive La France Exhibition in Olympia, London. Kindly assisted by a dynamic member of the Sauternes, Graves and Langon Tourist Office, our stand attracted a large number of people who were not only interested in wine but were also in discovering the many other cultural and sporting activities of the immediate area. We would like to take the opportunity of saying a big thank you to the organisers who made life so much easier and gave us the opportunity of giving a daily talk on the wines and countryside of the Sauternes and Graves region. Another big thank you to Châteaux Rabaud Promis (Sauternes), Respide and Budos (Graves) for contributing their produce for the wine tasting following the talks and to the Tourist Office of Villandraut for the beautiful posters. Very much appreciated by all.

Fête des Boeufs Gras

There is a special race of cows, "les boeufs de Bazas" which are renowned for the high quality of their meat. They come from the area of Bazas, a beautiful medieval town just 20 minutes from Sauternes and discovered by UK TV viewers when Rick Stein came here. The cows spend their youth munching kilos of luxurious grass and are fatted up in time for their day of glory. This year it takes place on 15th February, when they are proudly marched through the centre of Bazas with ribbons and flowers flowing from their horns in readiness for the beauty contest. It all finishes, of course, with a sumptuous meal which will be accompanied by the finest wines from the Pessac Léognan area of the Graves region. Make a note in your diaries for next year.

12 October 2006

In the World of Wine and Gastronomy

Last week the Gironde experienced a storm which lasted for only 90 minutes but had dire effects. Electricity and telephone lines were down for up to 4 days right in the middle of grape harvesting. The vast majority of winemakers were deprived of electricity at a crucial time when presses couldn't be used and the violent winds played havoc with the vineyards. The Mayor of Barsac, Philippe Meynard, complained bitterly of the slow response by the utility companies and was rewarded by the arrival of the French army to give a helping hand! Nevertheless it will be a difficult year for most wine makers in the area.

Open Days in the Graves and Sauternes Areas.

Châteaux in the Graves Appellation area will have their open days on 21 and 22 October. The Sauternes and Barsac châteaux follow suit on 11 and 12 November.
On both occasions, wine estates will give vistors the opportunity to taste their wines and organise concerts, art exhibitions and the traditional samplings of local cheeses, foie gras and other specialities.
The local trade associations are also organising rambles, cycle and coach trips around the various wineries participating and there will be special events for children.

It's also the time of year to indulge in a glass of "vin nouveau" (still fermenting sweet white wine)and roast chestnuts. All in all, another reason to take a break here at this magical time of year.

In the World of Culture

The Bordeaux Jazz Festival takes place from 6 to 12 November. France has a passion for Jazz and Bordeaux is no exception. The Summer months see Jazz festivals throughout the Gironde area, and the city of Bordeaux takes over in the Autumn with a frenetic week of French and international solo artists and bands. Just a few examples: Santos Chilemi, Antoine Hervé, Sylvie Courvoisier and the Frank Carlberg Quintet.

7 August 2006

In the World of Wine and Gastronomy

Although temperatures have not reached the extremes of 2003, this Summer has still been exceptionally hot. We met with the owners of the Château de Budos (Graves appellation area) , Bernard BOIREAU and Laurent PERSAN who gave us their view on how this has affected this year's grapes.

IN THE VINEYARD: After a fairly long and cold Winter, the vines started budding relatively late, making their first appearence at the beginning of May. This meant that flowering started early June, so the traditional 100 days rule would imply that the grapes should be ready for harvesting about 20 September. In contrast to other agricultural crops, the hot weather in July was conducive to healthy and vigorous vine growth.
Bernard and Laurent have been training their grape pickers in preparation for harvesting which, as they produce sweet white wine as well as red and dry white, will last well into late October.

IN THE CELLAR: On arrival, Laurent and Bernard were busy labelling their 2005 dry white production. Apparently it will be a perfect choice to accompany a dish of oysters from the Arcahon Bassin (holidaymakers take note...).
Further on we were shown the filtering process which precedes the bottling of the 2003 reds towards the end of August. 2003 was another year of extremely high temperatures and has so far kept its promise to be a very good structured wine ideal for ageing.

In the World of Culture

The month of August is traditionally incredibly rich in concerts, theatre, exhibitions, cinema and street art in our region. Here is just a flavour of what is available:

CINEMAGINATION. A series of concerts, exhibitions and films on the theme of "The Forests of the World" which take place in magical settings in the Regional Forest of les Landes

29th UZESTE FESTIVAL. An annual world renowned festival devoted to celebrating the local Gascony culture

VISIONS OF FLAMENCO. An exhibition of paintings by the local artist, KALIE, on the theme of flamenco at the Maison du Vin in Villandraut

In the World of Leisure

LACANAU PRO. The world surf championship comes to Lacanau from 10 to 20 August

SON ET LUMIERE. The medieval castle of Roquetaillade celebrates its 700th birthday with a magnificent Son et Lumière

NAUTICAL FESTIVAL OF BOMMES. Lots of music and wine culminating in a procession of canoes decorated with flowers down the River Ciron

3 April 2006

In the World of Wine and Gastronomy

Whether it is in the vineyard or the cellar, Springtime is a traditionally busy period. This month B'NB Bordeaux Aromas interviewed two key wine professionals, Mr Jean-Claude Réberat (Director and Vineyard Manager) and Mr Jean-Pierre Faure (Cellar Master) at Château La Tour Blanche, the prestigious sweet-white wine Estate in the Sauternes Appellation area.

IN THE VINEYARD: The checking and repairing of the trellis system has just been completed. The ground is starting to warm up so it's the optimum time to plant young vines in the space vacated by the recent pulling up of dead plants. Elsewhere, the first of the sulpher-based foliage sprays is applied to guard against diseases (excorisis and bud mite). Light ploughing of the soil is carried out between alternate rows as well as the control of undesirable weeds or excessive grass growth. On this Estate, every other row is left green covered, which not only facilitates the manoeuvrability of the tractor but also prevents soil erosion and the maintenance of a healthy level of humus thus improving water retention and the fixation of polluting elements. Less pollution thus reaches the ditches and the water table. Incidentally, Château La Tour Blanche is studying the feasibilty of re-cycling their prunings, mowings and other green waste matter to create a source of organic compost. Bravo!

IN THE CELLAR: After completion of the March rackings whereby the 2005 vintage is gently drained from one container to another to separate it from its lees and simultaneously obtain aeration, the staff are making preparations for the blendings of their first growth "La Tour Blanche". Each batch of wine resulting from the different grape varieties is carefully blended in varying proportions so that the final "nectar" successfully expresses the estate's personality - a real "artistic" creation. This must be completed in time for the important tastings and presentations of this vintage to the press on 3 April at Château Coutets in Barsac and to future buyers (merchants and brokers) at Domaine de Chevalier in the Pessac-Léognan appellation area on 4,5 and 6 April, an incredibly important commercial event that can make or break a product.

28 February 2006

In the World of Wine and Gastronomy

On 17 and 18 February BNB Bordeaux Aromas took part in the Tour de France Exhibition in Dublin. This was the first exhibtion devoted exclusively to French tourism and gatronomy to take place in Ireland and it was an immense success.
There was particular interest in the Sauternes, Graves and Langon Tourist Office stand where we were promoting our wine tasting tours especially as Aer Lingus introduced its low cost direct flight from Dublin to Bordeaux towards the end of last year. Both the tourist professionals (travel agents, tour operators) and private individuals confirmed their growing enthusiasm for wine breaks, especially in a region with so many different wine appellation areas within easy reach. There was also excitement that the Irish rugby team will be based in our area during the World Rugby Cup in September 2007.
We would like to thank the local tourist office for allowing us to use their stand and express our warm thanks to our Irish hosts and visitors for their exceptionally warm welcome!

In the World of Culture

From 3 March to 4 June: an exhibition of the the Art Déco sculptures of Jane POUPELET (1874-1932) at the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Bordeaux

3 March: Shakespeare's HAMLET at the Cultural Centre in Langon, staged by the Cubitus Company

31 March: "AMAZONES", a contemporary dance show by the Compagnie Révolution, at the Langon Cultural Centre

In the World of Leisure

The annual semi-marathon takes place between the medieval town of Bazas and Langon on 5 March

The world indoor cycling championship takes place in Bordeaux from 13 to 16 April.

24 January 2006

In the World of Wine and Gastronomy

The “Pork Festival” in Langon on 11 and 12 March: a hundred ways to prepare and eat pork!

The 5th Bordeaux Wine Festival will take place from 29 June to 2 July. A great opportunity to discover some well known and lesser known wines of the region and its gastronomic delights during a fun filled week with some amazing shows.

In the World of Culture

An exceptional exhibition of paintings on the theme of “Venice 1500-1600” in the Bordeaux Art Gallery until 19 March.

5 performances of Verdi’s Aïda in the Bordeaux Opera House on 19, 21, 25, 28 and 31 March.

In the World of Leisure

It’s Carnaval time at the beginning of March in Bordeaux and most of the towns and villages in the South Gironde!

A large “upmarket” Flea Market in Bordeaux’ Exhibition Hall from 17 to 19 March.

A sporting Rally to discover the Garonne countryside in the Langon area: on horseback, on your bike on just your own 2 feet. From 7 to 9 April.

1st december 2005

In the World of Wine

Winners of the 2005 Graves Growth Trophy:

• AOC Red Graves 2002: Château Brondelle
• AOC White Graves 2003: Château Saint Robert « Poncet Deville »
• AOC Graves Supérieurs 2002: Château Léonie

500 wine shops and 250 restaurants throughout France will be promoting wines from the Graves region as from mid-December.

In the World of Culture

• At the Bordeaux Opera House, 3 concerts of Bach, Mozart and French music fron the 17th and 18th centuries will be given in January and March 2006.
• The Russian Choir “Gloria” will give a concert in the church of Barsac on 10 December.

In the World of Leisure

Christmas Markets. A large number of Christmas markets will take place in the region during the month of December. The one in Bordeaux will have stands selling food, Christmas decorations, perfumes, toys, fashion items, designer jewellery, household linen and international handicrafts. The Christmas Market in Barsac will be held with the participation of Châteaux De Myrat, Dudon and Gravas on 10 and 11 December.