Experts Predict “Magnificent” 2015 Bordeaux Vintage

A number of wine experts recently predicted that following a disappointing few years, 2015 will be a “magnificent” vintage for Bordeaux wine.

Early predictions

According to popular consensus, 2013 was a lackluster year for Bordeaux wine, while 2014 was nothing more than average. The bottles produced in these periods simply didn’t match the quality created in standout years such as 2005 and 2010.

Last year, Ideal Wine Company reported that growers expected 2015 to be a great year for French wine, especially Bordeaux. The technical director of the Bordeaux-based Chateau Lestage winery said that France was experiencing its best growing conditions since 2005. Gavin Quinney, a wine grower and commentator who lives in Bordeaux, said: “it is a fact to date that all vintages ending in zero and five have been great since 1985 and most of those have been dry years.”

“Magnificent year”

We reported this story before the Bordeaux grape harvest, so it was hard to assess how accurate these predictions were. Lifestyle site Expatica recently spoke to a number of experts to ascertain the quality of the 2015 Bordeaux vintage. Cheered by last year’s dry growing conditions, they predicted that the 2015 vintage would be “magnificent.”

Speaking at Bordeaux’s annual futures tasting, which were held recently, prominent oenologist Michel Rolland labelled the 2015 vintage “something to get excited about.” Explaining further, Rolland said: "It's a great vintage with precise wines, better than any we've ever made… It has the power of the 2005s and... the body and sunny charm of the 2009s.”

Agreeing, South African wine shop owner Neil Pendock said: “I've been coming for the primeur tastings for about four, five years now and this is the best…I think you'll have a big success here.” Meanwhile Stephan Toutoundji, a wine expert at South-West France’s Oenoteam tasting laboratory suggested that exceptional quality was present throughout all the Bordeaux 2015 labels, “on a par with the last great ones -- 2005, 2009 and 2010.”

Sample Bordeaux

Therefore, there’s good reason to believe that the 2015 vintage will be a great year for Bordeaux wine! If you want to see what to expect from a truly excellent Bordeaux, come to Ideal Wine Company. We supply a selection of Bordeauxs of various vintages for you to try. 

Will Wildfires Damage California’s Wine Industry?

As the California wildfires rage on, gigantic flames have already destroyed wide swathes of the Golden State. This has forced the Ideal Wine Company to ask; will wildfires damage California’s wine industry? 

Golden state wine making  

California boasts the most prominent wine making sector in the United States, known the world over for producing quality vintages. Today famous California regions such as Napa Valley and Sonoma County produce some of the globe’s most sought after wine, made from high-quality grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Merlot.  

California now comprises almost 90% of the US’s total wine production, and recent statistics show that there’s no sign it’ll slow down anytime soon. Data quoted by The Drinks Business indicates that the region enjoyed record grape harvests in 2012, 2013 and 2014, yet some experts believe that the wildfires that have recently hit the Golden State could damage California’s 2015 grape harvest.  

Assessing the damage  

According to CBS News, at the time of writing the fire has burned across 67,000 acres of California countryside; mostly in Lake County, but also in Sonoma and Napa Counties. It has destroyed a variety of wineries in the region, such as Shed Horn Cellars in Middletown, Lake County.  

It’s hard to assess the damage just yet, according to Jacque Lynn Johnson, district director of the California Farm Service Agency. She said "we don't know how many acres have been burned, nor do we know if there has been smoke penetration to the remaining fruit, affecting its quality.” Johnson added, "due to evacuation orders, many growers have not been able to visit their ranches to assess what damage, if any, has occurred." 

Smoke taint 

Johnson raised the issue of smoke taint, and some experts are really concerned about it. Andrea Smalling, chief marketing officer of Foley Family Wines in Middletown, which was damaged by the fire, was one. Smalling commented that "it's likely that we won't be able to harvest the remaining grapes due to smoke damage, but our winemaker is doing some lab work to confirm.” 

However the California Wine Institute has expressed confidence that the majority of wineries that lie within the fire’s path may yet avoid the scourge of smoke taint. They explained: “The smoke has not lingered in the vineyards because of winds and many grapes are already picked because of the abnormally early harvest. Smoke taint impacts grapes that are in a growing stage of rapid expansion, (but) the grapes are well advanced at this point.” 

Try California wine 

It’s hard to assess the impact of the California wildfires, but it appears as though they will inflict at least some damage on the region’s booming wine industry. If you want to see why people want the Golden States’ wine industry to pull through, try the Ideal Wine Company’s California wines today. 

What is a Corked Wine?

Every wine enthusiast has had their favourite tipple ruined by cork taint at some point or another. The IdealWine Company asks; what is a corked wine and why do you need to know about it?

A flaw that can damage even the finest of wines

When people hear the term ‘corked wine,’ their minds immediately leap to the stopper that traditionally sits in the neck of their bottle of choice. They imagine little bits of cork floating around in their Pinot.

In reality ‘corked wine’ refers to a specific flaw that can damage the quality of even the finest wines. The flaw is caused by a chemical compound known as ‘cork taint.’ a.k.a 2,4,6 Trichloroanisole (TCA). You’ll spot cork taint straight away because the minute you open the bottle you’ll be greeted by a distinct, unpleasant aroma.

How is cork taint caused?

Cork taint is thought to effect between 2% and 10% of wines. The reason it’s called ‘cork’ taint is because it’s believed that the common flaw is caused by the cork itself.

Experts believe that TCA is created by some varieties of airborne fungi. They infect the cork. Therefore when the wine is corked, this fungi comes into contact with the vintage, disseminating through its depths until the wine is completely infected.

Is it possible to recover a corked wine?

A corked wine won’t harm you, but it will provide you with a vintage that’s impossible to drink. This leads us to ask; is it possible to recover a corked wine and render it drinkable?

Possibly. Some wine aficionados believe that you can use cling film to remove TCA from wine. The theory goes that if you put a wadded piece of cling film into a bottle of wine and leave it for an extended period of time, the cling film will absorb the compound and filter it out of the drink. Tests have shown that the results of this method are mixed at best.

Don’t drink a corked wine

A corked wine has the ability to ruin your vintage. If you ever find yourself confronted with a corked bottle, don’t drink it. 

Exceptionally Early Vintage Presents Problems for Wine Makers in South Australia

Reports recently came to the attention of the Ideal Wine Company that there has been an exceptionally early vintage in South Australia this year. This has presented a number of problems for wine makers in the region.

Some wonderful wines are made in Australia

Because we strive to supply you with fantastic fine wines from regions across the world, we couldn’t not feature a range of Australian luxury wines on the Ideal Wine Company product list.

Australia has long been an up and comer in the world of wine production. Today it’s recognised as a wine maker to equal newer entrants to the industry such as Argentina and California, as well as wine making stalwarts such as France and Italy. The country is known for producing high quality Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Semillon vintages, among others.

Early vintage puts pressure on wine makers

Yet reports have recently revealed that the land down under’s lucrative wine industry has come under pressure. According to ABC News, this year’s wine vintage arrived a month earlier than normal in South Australia.

The region’s Winegrape council executive officer, Peter Hackworth, went on to point out that this has put pressure on wine makers in South Australia. It means that they have to readjust to a much tighter picking schedule and this means that some grapes may not make it to the winery, which would spur a loss for the South Australian wine industry.

The grapes can’t get to the winery

Speaking of the significance of the early vintage, Hackworth said that "what it's meant is a lot of the varieties that normally would ripen distinctively apart have tended to come in at the same time." The executive elaborated that "areas such as the warmer inland areas are ripening at the same time as the cool climate areas, so everything is tending to come in at once. It puts a lot of pressure on winery infrastructure."

He went on to explain: "It's extremely difficult for growers - that can create problems because the grapes will ripen and get to an optimum quality… But if they can't get into the winery, the sugar levels increase and the wine goes beyond its optimum and starts to decline. So that has big implications in terms of pricing for grapes too."

South Australia can meet this challenge

Therefore this early harvest could affect South Australia’s 2015 vintage in a number of ways. Yet South Australia is known for the quality of the bottles it produces. We bet the region has what it takes to overcome this challenge and deliver a stellar 2015 vintage. 

US Fine Wine Prices to Rise in 2015

New figures have shown the Ideal Wine Company that fine wine prices in the US, known for the quality of its California vintages, are set to rise in 2015.

From Bit Player to Up and Coming Behemoth

As a provider of first-rate luxury vintages for a price that won’t break your bank balance, the Ideal Wine Company strives to bring you fine wines from around the world. We have several vintages from the US’s most famous wine-making region, California.

Once a bit player on the global wine stage, the US is becoming known as an up and coming behemoth in the world of wine making. As such it proved no surprise to the Ideal Wine Company when we heard that US fine wine prices are set to rise in 2015.

US Fine Wine to Rise 14% - 18%

According to Wine Searcher, the Silicon Valley Bank’s (SVB) annual State of the Industry report revealed that US fine wine prices are set to rise 14% - 18% throughout 2015.

Defining fine wine as vintages costing $20 or more, SVB went on to reveal that this comes despite three successive large domestic harvests that have provided the industry with an abundant supply of wine. They also argued that prices will increase despite wine makers’ previous reluctance to charge more for their wares due to the state of the economy.

“It’s the Economy Stupid!”

SVB executive vice president Rob McMillan took the time to speak out on the revelation to Wine Searcher. McMillan was quick to argue that "I really think it's going to be a breakout year" for luxury wine in the US.

When asked what the biggest indicator that the SVB’s prediction would bear fruit was, McMillan proceeded to quote Bill Clinton; "it's the economy, stupid." The vice president elaborated by suggesting that "restaurants are starting to be a little bit more optimistic now," and "that's a big change. 35% of fine wines are sold in restaurants."

Check out the Ideal Wine Company Product List

That could push the prices of US fine wine up around the rest of the world. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced US luxury vintage in 2015, make sure you take the time to check out the Ideal Wine Company product list. 

What Do You Get When You Mix Wine with a Black Light?

Have you ever found yourself wondering, ‘what do you get when you mix wine with a black light?’ Is so read on, because you might just have your answer. This week the Ideal Wine Company explores a new trend that’s taking over the basements and clubs of LA. The wine rave.

Ideal Wine Company Never Thought We’d Be Breaking out the Glow Sticks!

Who doesn’t remember the 90’s; the decade that bore witness to the rise of the rave? For any of you who blacked out memories of this particular time in party history, a rave was an underground shindig where people bopped along to outlandish trance tunes whilst necking cans of bargain basement booze.

We never really believed that as a provider of outstanding fine wines from around the world at reasonable prices, the Ideal Wine Company would ever have any reason to go to a rave. Yet a new trend that’s taking over LA may just have us breaking out our glow sticks.

A Rave with Better Alcohol

This week saw LA Eater feature an editorial called 6 Things to Know About Wine Raves in LA. The article told us everything we need to know about the party trend that’s sweeping one of the world’s biggest cities; the wine rave.

It’s exactly what you think it is. A wine rave is an underground rave-style party complete with black lights, glow sticks and heady trance tunes… with one small exception. The alcohol that’s used to lubricate its participants is of a much higher standard. Wine raves differentiate themselves from their 90’s forebears by serving wine shots and glowing wine cocktails!

Why Do People Go to Wine Raves?

Wine raves have actually been around for a while. However they started gaining prominence around 2011, when they hit the basements, warehouses and clubs of nearby San Diego. 

So why are they so popular?

We might find our answer from Wineravela.com’s explanation of what you can expect to find when you hit your nearest wine rave. "Wine rave is a state of mind. Can you free yourself from colour; its sensation as pleasure; as life. Stop swirling. Derobe. Become bioluminescent. Feel a stranger. Listen. Laugh and have fun. Wine rave."

Taking Your Love of Wine to a Whole New Level

So what do you get when you mix wine with a black light? As it turns out, a mind blowing experience which allows you to take your love of wine to a whole new level. A bioluminescent level. No wonder wine raves are sweeping LA!

What does ‘Smoke Taint’ do to a Luxury Vintage?

Fears expressed recently by wine specialists in Australia have prompted us to ask here on the Ideal Wine Company Blog this week; what does ‘smoke taint’ do to a luxury vintage?

How easy is it to ruin the Quality of Wine?

You don’t build a reputation as a supplier of premium wines for prices consumers can actually afford, like the Ideal Wine Company, without coming to one realisation. Wine is a complex tipple.

You wouldn’t believe how easy it is to ruin the quality of a fine wine whilst you’re making it. If you make one mistake, you can render it practically undrinkable. Yet this isn’t a problem for the wine maker with experience. Their real problem with the viticulture process is that it’s too subject to a number of factors that they simply can’t control.

Wine That Tastes Like an Ashtray

Just ask wine growers in Australia. At the moment they’re finding that their reputation as an up-and-coming player on the global wine stage is coming under threat due to the recent forest fires that have raged recently through South-Eastern Australia.

The fires haven’t touched a single lucrative vine. According to Reuters wine growers in the region have fear that the grapes near the fires could fall victim to ‘smoke taint.’ When smoke infects the grape on the vine, said grape produces wine that tastes like an ashtray.

A Symptom of Climate Change

Smoke taint has the ability to ruin an entire vintage. Therefore, the forest fires that have swallowed up swathes of Australia’s landscape over the past decade have made the issue of smoke taint one that has gripped the imagination of wine growers all over the country in recent years. 

The Australian wine industry first noticed the problem when the severe forest fires that raged through the state of Victoria in 2003, irreparably damaging $6.05 million worth of wine in the process.

Australian Wine Research Institute smoke taint specialist Mark Krstic explained the issue in more depth to the online publication. Krstic argued that "it's a nightmare of a problem," before suggesting that "smoke taint is one of the symptoms of climate change for the wine industry and it's only getting worse."

Smoke Taint Can Ruin a Luxury Vintage

He’s suggesting that climate change is sparking these forest fires. As climate change gets worse, smoke taint will become more of an issue for the wine growers of Australia.

As we’ve seen, smoke taint can ruin a luxury bottle of wine. The expert’s comments suggest that the Australian wine industry has some tough challenges to face on the road ahead, as smoke taint becomes more of a threat to vines throughout every wine growing region in the land down under.