Burgundy Prepares For Smaller 2016 Harvest

New reports confirm that wine-makers in Burgundy are currently bracing themselves for a smaller grape harvest this year, following adverse weather conditions. Ideal Wine Company investigates what may become short in supply.

Legendary wine

Burgundy, based in Eastern France, is one of the world’s most celebrated wine-making regions. Evidence suggests that people have been producing wine there since Roman times. Burgundy’s wine-making tradition was famously shaped by Roman Catholic monasteries, who made it for religious reasons in the medieval period and over time, the region’s products became popular across the world.

Wineries in Burgundy are especially known for making dry red wines from Pinot Noir grapes. Some of the top producers of dry red wine in this region, such as Clos Saint Denis, Chambertin and Echezeaux, make bottles which you can find on Ideal Wine Company’s Burgundy wine list. But if recent reports are to be believed, it may be hard to find 2016 Burgundy vintages anywhere, due to limited supply.

Read the article in full with Ideal Wine Company.

Burgundy Launches Wines Club for Sommeliers

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. 

Luxury Travel Operator Launches Fine Wine Academy

Ideal Wine Company has learned that a luxury travel operator has decided to launch a fine wine academy to teach holidaymakers everything they need to know about their favourite tipple.

You never know everything there is to know

Wine is a complex drink. As a provider of fine wines from around the world at prices you can afford, the Ideal Wine Company has come to realise that you never know everything there is to know about wine.

There’s always something new to learn. There’s always some upcoming wine region to explore, stunning emerging vintage to sample or innovative new viticulture technique to comprehend. Therefore we were excited to hear about the opening of a new wine academy.

Belmond open fine wine academy

According to Breaking Travel News, luxury travel operator Belmond has decided to open a new fine wine academy. The feature will be available to guests travelling exclusively on Belmond in France’s fleet of first-rate barges in Burgundy.

Specifically the academy will be made available to charter groups measuring four travellers or more, who have booked any cruise aboard four Belmond ships going along various routes. These ships are the Belmond Afloat, Belmond Fleur de Lys, Belmond Hirondelle and Belmond Amaryllis.

What will be included in Belmond’s wine academy?

Travellers aboard these ships are in for a fantastic experience. Breaking Travel News reported that the Academy, which can be added to a bespoke itinerary, includes several amazing activities.

The event will be centred on an immersive programme of talks designed to inspire the exploration of Burgundy and it’s most precious asset; wine. The talks are set to be headed by Pascal Wagner, a wine master and the company in France’s resident wine expert. Other activities offered with the academy include Cremant tasting and an optional hot-air balloon ride which carries guests over 230 hectares of the finest vineyards Burgundy has to offer.

Buy your favourite Burgundy from the Ideal Wine Company

As such the opening of this new academy is set to provide holidaymakers with a wonderful opportunity to learn about the fantastic vintages Burgundy has to offer. Take this opportunity, then when you come home you will know everything you need to know to buy the right Burgundy wine for you from the Ideal Wine Company!