The Ideal Wine Company team has
learned that the French region of Burgundy has launched a Wines Club for
sommeliers based in the UK.
Burgundy wine
Located in the East of France, Burgundy
(Bourgogne in French) is one of the most celebrated wine making regions in the
world. Vineyards in the region are known for producing stunning dry reds from
Pinot Noir grapes and delicious Chardonnay-based whites. You can buy the Clos Saint Denis, a fantastic Burgundy vintage, from the
Ideal Wine Company today from £528.
Statistics
from the Burgundy Wine Board (BIVB), the region’s wine industry trade body,
showed that Burgundy vintages were popular in a number of territories in 2015.
Specifically, US Burgundy wine imports grew 5.5% in the first seven months when
compared to same period in the year before. However Burgundy wines proved less
popular in territories such as Belgium, Germany and the UK.
Wine club
It looks as though BIVB may be
looking to increase the popularity of Burgundy wines in the UK. According
to Imbibe, who bill themselves as “UK on-trade drinks professionals,” the
Board has decided to invite British sommeliers to its new Bourgogne Wines Club.
This will feature four free classes on Burgundy’s wines hosted by celebrated
Master Sommelier Xavier Rousset.
The project is designed to
provide UK sommeliers with the information they need to improve their knowledge
of the Burgundy wine-making industry. Rousset’s sessions will explore a number
of varietals including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Chablis Premier Cru. The
Master Sommelier will also explain the ‘ladder’ of Burgundy wines and allow his
pupils to blind taste roughly 20 of the regions finest vintages in each class.
“Fun and interactive”
Commenting on the launch of these
sessions, Rousset said that “the club will be a fun and interactive way to
bring like-minded sommeliers together to share their thoughts and opinions
about the wines.” He went on to add that “I am looking forward to some of the
blind tasting flights – watch out, there may be some surprises!”
François Labet, president of the
Marketing & Communication Commission for the BIVB also commented on the
launch of the Club. He said: “Sommeliers
are important influencers in the wine world and we want to get to know them
better and in a personal manner. Bourgogne will focus on two key messages: the
two flagship wine grape varieties and (the region’s) 100 appellations.”
Genius move
A sommelier is a trained wine
professional, whose job is to suggest vintages to ordinary people. Therefore
BIVB’s decision to invite British sommeliers to its new Bourgogne Wines Club
could prove a genius move. Rousset will impart his students with the
information they need to suggest first-rate Burgundy vintages to wine
enthusiasts across the UK.
