Cognac Houses Unite to Address Climate Change

The Ideal Wine Company team has learned that several prominent Cognac houses have united to tackle the effects of climate change on French luxury brandy production.

Effects of climate change

Mediterranean countries such as France boast the perfect climates for grape growing, meaning they’ve developed world-class wine production industries. But climate change is warming these regions up and as the Ideal Wine Company has explained, this could forever alter France’s wine and Champagne industry.

Our neighbour across the English Channel is also the home of the world’s Cognac industry. One of the requirements of this signature brandy is that it must be made with grapes like Ugni Blanc, which boast high acidity levels. However the rising temperatures that are a hallmark of climate change could compromise acid levels found in grapes used to make Cognac.

New solutions

The industry has tried to tackle this issue by harvesting grapes earlier in the season. In the past 30 years, the harvest has been moved by 10 days to overcome higher temperatures. But with climate change becoming a more pressing problem by the day, this is a temporary solution at best.

Cognac houses Courvoisier, Hennessy and Remy Martin – you can buy the Remy Martin XO Champagne Cognac from us by the way, have united to try a new solution. According to Imbibe they’ve formed a research committee to test a new hybrid grape that will hold its acidity even when grown in hotter climates. Called Monbadon, the first crop of the grape will be harvested in 2018; the resulting eau de vie will be aged for at least three years before being used for Cognac.

Hybrid grape

Commenting on the project, Courvoisier master distiller Benoît De Sutter said: “We planted areas with Monbadon and a mix of Ugni Blanc and Folle Blanche in April 2015, testing different soils… Courvoisier’s vines are planted in the Fins Bois region, while Hennessy and Rémy Martin’s are in Grande Champagne.”

Continuing, De Sutter explained: “We’re doing the research to find whether the aromatic profile of Monbadon will be similar to Ugni Blanc… We already know that it has a higher level of acidity and lower level of alcohol than Ugni Blanc… It’s a very long experiment, but it’s for us to be ready in 30 years when global warming will really impact us.”

Try our Cognacs

We’re glad to hear this project could help Cognac overcome climate change. We love Cognac too much to lose it! If you want to see why people across the globe lover this unique French product, why don’t you purchase one of the Ideal Wine Company’s Cognacs? You’ll soon see why it’s so important we safeguard the Cognac industry from the effects of climate change! 

Is There a California Wine Shortage?

Last year, an epic wildfire raged through California. Many people have since asked; will there be a wine shortage in the Golden State? 

Devastating wildfire

Here at the Ideal Wine Company, we sell a range of luxury California wines. The US’ largest wine making state, California boasts a number of famous wine making areas such as Lake, Napa and Sonoma Counties. Over the years, they’ve developed a reputation for creating some of the world’s most sought after vintages from high-quality grapes like Merlot, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

In 2015, fierce wildfires ignited across the state and we wondered whether it would damage California’s 2015 grape harvest. The fires burned in Lake, Sonoma and Napa Counties and many producers suggested that smoke taint could impact their grape harvests. However, industry body the California Wine Institute said: “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.” 

Wine shortage

Now, people are asking whether the wildfires could lead to a California wine shortage, according to The Drinks Business, an online trade portal. They noted that the Guardian US recently ran a story which suggested that smoke taint has so severely impacted grape growing regions in the Golden State that it would threaten wine stock levels this year and drive wine prices higher.

The article suggested that wineries in Sonoma and Napa will “look North to Lake County for cheaper grapes” to support production. The publication reportedly paraphrased a statement issued by the California Wine Institute, noting that smoke taint in Lake County has seriously reduced the amount of fruit available for wine blending purposes. This has been categorically denied by the Institute; a spokesperson for the body said “we find this story to be completely out of context and inaccurate.”

Blown out of proportion

Elaborating, the Institute said that stock levels wouldn’t be a problem. There has been a 10% rise in California vineyard acres since 2010, while the state saw record harvests in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The California Wine Institute did warn that 2015s grape harvest figure will be a lot lower than usual. But it added that increases in vineyard acres are still “estimated to be high.” Along with record harvests, this should prevent a California wine shortage.

The Institute also argued that the smoke taint issue has been blown out of proportion. Continuing, the spokesperson said: “I’m happy to report that after talking with many other growers and winemakers, not one test result or sensory assessment has shown a perceptible level of taint.” Going on, the spokesperson addressed the issue of prices, saying: “With the recent large harvests, it doesn’t make sense to suggest increase in prices due to short supply.”

Try California wine

Commenting further, the spokesperson argued: “[California] wineries are responding to this demand for upscale products and are offering a huge diversity of wine types and prices.” If you want to see what kind of luxury products the Golden State produces, buy the Harlan Estate 1998 from the Ideal Wine Company; this robust California red will blow your taste buds away! 

Port Becomes UK’s Fastest Growing Fortified Wine

New figures have shown the Ideal Wine Company team that Port became the UK’s fastest growing fortified wine category in 2015.

Port wine

Port is a unique style of fortified wine, which uses grapes that are grown exclusively in the Douro Valley region of Northern Portugal. Port tends to be a sweet red wine which is often served with dessert, although producers also make dry, semi-dry and even white varietals as well.

Like Champagne, the use of the word ‘Port’ for wine products is regulated around the world. For example in the European Union, the label ‘Port’ is safeguarded by Protected Designation of Origin guidelines, which are designed to shield the reputation of specific regional foods and drinks. Use of the word ‘Port’ isn’t regulated in the US, although three producers in the Napa Valley region of California recently agreed to stop using it on their wine labels.

Growing category

Online publication The Drinks Business recently reported that Port became Britain’s fastest growing category of fortified wine last year. Figures from Nielsen, a global information and measurement company, indicate that Port wine sales equalled more than £79 million in 2015.

Therefore, UK Port wine sales eclipsed figures for other styles of fortified wine such as Madeira, Vermouth and Sherry last year. The Nielsen data also suggested that Port now commands the largest market share for fortified wines in the UK and that branded Ports now make up 71% of UK Port sales.

Reputable brands

The Fladgate Partnership, which owns Port brands such as Taylor’s, Fonseca and Croft, saw particularly high UK sales volumes in the famously busy Christmas trading period. Commenting on the release of these statistics, Andrew Hawes, managing director of Mentzendorff & Co, which represents The Fladgate Partnership, noted:

“Port’s 2% value growth [in 2015] was driven by its two strongest brands, with Taylor’s leading the 12 week Christmas 2015 period with a 27% off-trade value share, with the nearest competitor at 20.2%. On an MAT [moving annual total] basis Taylor’s holds a 21.8% value share with Cockburn’s [made by Symington Family Estates, one of the largest Port Companies on the planet] at 22.2%.”

Buy Fonseca Port

Fladgate Partnership Port brands such as Taylor’s and Fonseca have proved consistently popular with UK consumers for years. If you want to see why British fortified wine enthusiasts love Fonseca, why don’t you buy Fonseca's Finest 1977 Vintage Port from the Ideal Wine Company? This famous vintage boasts a rich flavour that’ll provide you with the drinking experience of a lifetime! 

Courvoisier Announces Global Champagne Cocktail Competition

The Ideal Wine Company has learned that Cognac house Courvoisier has decided to launch its first global bartender competition. Entrants will be asked to whip up a new Champagne Cocktail recipe.

Vital ingredient

Champagne is so much more than the most prestigious sparkling wine in the world. The protected French product is incredibly versatile, which means you can use it to make a number of delicious alcoholic concoctions. For example, mix it with a sugar cube and some Cognac and you can create a gorgeous Champagne Cocktail. Add a little juice and you can turn it into a spooky Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail - perfect for Halloween!

Courvoisier competition

Historic Cognac company Courvoisier recently decided to see just how creative some of the most talented bartenders in the world can get with the classic Champagne Cocktail. Online wine and spirit publication Harpers reported that the house has launched a competition which will task entrants to come up with a new twist on the drink using the Courvoisier VOP product.

There’s one catch; they must use the Golden Age of Paris to inspire their creation. Generally defined as the period between 1870 and 1910, the Golden Age of Paris refers to the years where the arts flourished in the French capital, just before the horrors of World War One. The competition will serve as an extension of the brands current ‘The Toast of Paris Since 1889’ marketing campaign.

“Looking forward.”

The event will be split into stages. First, bartenders from the same country will go head-to-head. Entries from the UK must be submitted by 25^th March 2016. Courvoisier will choose the six best entrants, who will compete against each other in a semi-final in London the next month. The UK winner will go on to compete in the global final in May 2016. They’ll also get the chance to visit the famous Courvoisier Chateau in Jarnac, France, where the brand was first founded.

And for the global winner? They’ll receive a special blend of Courvoisier Cognac from 1889, which will be presented to them in an engraved crystal decanter. Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Chris Anderson, Maxxium UK’s (which owns Courvoisier) marketing controller for the luxury brands said: “We are looking forward to seeing how leading bartenders across the country recreate the Champagne Cocktail and represent the Paris Golden Age with Courvoisier at the centre.”

Give it a go

Here at the Ideal Wine Company, we can’t wait to see what they come up with. If this has inspired you to try creating your own version of the Champagne Cocktail, why don’t you buy the Krug 1988 from the Ideal Wine Company? This smooth, delicious sparkling wine will help you craft a killer concoction! 

How to Make a ‘Pomme Rose’ Cocktail

Are you looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day drink? If so you might want to try whipping up a Pomme Rose, a new take on the classic French 75 cocktail. Below, the Ideal Wine Company explains how to make this fabulously romantic drink.

Mood for love

Christmas has gone and now we’re slowly inching our way through January. But thankfully, this means we’re not that far away from Valentine’s Day – the one day of the year society sets aside to celebrate the romantic love between two partners.

Are you planning to cook a nice meal for your partner this Valentine’s Day? No romantic dish is complete without a fabulous drink to complement the subtle complexities of your cuisine. But what drink should you choose; how about you really get into the spirit of the season, break out the sparkling rose and serve your partner a Pomme Rose this Valentines?

French 75

To learn how to make a Pomme Rose, first you have to understand how to create a French 75. This famous drink was invented by barman Harry MacElhone at the New York Bar in Paris (now Harry’s New York Bar) in 1915. Legend has it that MacElhone christened his new cocktail the ‘French 75’ because it packed such a punch, that drinking one felt like being shelled by the powerful French 75 millimetre field gun.

According to Esquire, a men’s fashion and culture magazine, the French 75 is a gin-based drink. Therefore to make one you’ll need two ounces of gin.  You’ll also need one teaspoon of superfine sugar, half an ounce of lemon juice and five ounces of Brut Champagne. The Dom Perignon Brut 1993, which you can buy from the Ideal Wine Company, would work fantastically here.

Add sparkling rose

The French 75 is really easy to make. Pour all the ingredients except the Champagne into a cocktail shaker filled with cracked ice and shake vigorously. Then strain into a ‘Collins glass’ which is half-full with cracked ice and then top off the mixture with Champagne. You’ll only need to do one thing to turn a French 75 into a Pomme Rose.

Just substitute the gin and Champagne for around seven ounces of sparkling rose wine. You might want to purchase the Dom Perignon Rose 1996, a mind-blowing vintage, from the Ideal Wine Company for the occasion! Follow the same method you would use to create a French 75 (but obviously don’t top it off with Champagne) and you’ll end up with a rich, woodsy, slightly sweet cocktail that your partner will love when you serve it to them this Valentine’s Day! 

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. 

Environment Secretary Announces First English Wine Summit

The Ideal Wine Company has learned that UK environment secretary Liz Truss recently announced that the first official English wine summit will be held in 2016.

Emerging wine maker

When someone mentions ‘first class fine wine,’ your mind might turn to celebrated wine making nations such as France. Certain regions in the western European country, particularly Bordeaux, have been making wine for centuries. If you want to see why Bordeaux is known for producing fabulous vintages, why don’t you buy the Chateau Latour 1983, a hearty red with subtle hints of cocoa, plums and chocolate, from the Ideal Wine Company today?

But France’s neighbour to the north, England, is rapidly developing a lucrative wine industry of its own. Traditionally England’s famously miserable weather hasn’t been conducive to wine making, but climate change has provided southern regions in the country, such as Kent and Sussex, with the environment needed to cultivate robust wine producing operations.

Wine summit

At present, there are 470 vineyards and 135 wineries in England. Statistics suggest that English vineyards have been growing 10%, on average, over the past decade, and that ‘land under the wine’ in England and Wales is set to double, if current trends persist, in the next seven years.

The industry’s growth potential has caught the eye of the UK’s government. Environment secretary Liz Truss, along with the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WTSA), the industry’s trade body, has said that a ‘wine summit’ will be held in the new year to promote English wine making.

Truss said that she wanted to “encourage the industry to grow,” and that she would hold a round-table with representatives of the English wine sector at the event to discover how to achieve this aim. The WTSA will also host a discussion at the event, in order to identify land suitable for viticulture in England, as well as encourage data collection and data sharing in the sector to promote growth.

Huge potential

Commenting on the announcement of the summit, WSTA chief executive Miles Beale, was quoted by The Drinks Business saying that “we are delighted to be part of this round-table discussion to drive support for the English Wine industry.”

Continuing, Beale added, “it is an industry which has huge potential and is proving to be one of the new faces of modern British agriculture.” He went on to note: “If properly backed by Government it will encourage the growth of highly skilled jobs, increase tourism in the UK, stimulate local economies and we hope to see a boost to the export market of another great British product.”

 Growing industry

The English wine making sector may be growing rapidly, but it’s still in its infancy. Unlike nations such as France that have been making world-class wine for centuries, English vintners don’t yet have the experience necessary to produce truly legendary vintages. This summit could provide English wine producers with the support they need to compete on the global wine making stage.