What Are The Types of Champagne Producer?

Recently, Ideal Wine Company revealed how to read a Champagne label. Within this article, we pointed out that on the label you will see a two letter code, which refers to the type of Champagne producer that made the product. Delving deeper into this subject, here we outline the seven different types of Champagne producer you may encounter when consuming this luxury tipple.

Récoltant Coopérateur (RC)

Referred to on bottles with ‘RC,’ this code means that the grower-producer behind the Champagne in question made the product at a Co-Op facility, but sells it under their own label.  Co-Ops are villages in the Champagne region of France which provide growers with the necessary sparkling wine making equipment, if they don’t have these tools to hand in order to produce their vintage.

Négociant Distributeur (ND)

These Champagnes, noted on bottles with the code ‘ND,’ refer to a buyer. In these cases, some other party grows the grapes and makes the final product. Afterwards the buyer purchases the product and labels it, before distributing the vintage to the general public.

Marque d’Acheteur (MA)

Otherwise known as “buyer’s own brand,” Marque d’Acheteur is shortened to ‘MA’ on Champagne labels. This code refers to a large retail chain or restaurant that buys a fully made Champagne from another producer. However, they sell the product under their own label.

Société de Récoltants (SR)

The term Société de Récoltants is used to describe a union of Champagne growers. Here, the union shares resources to make their products, but they are not a Co-Operative. The growers within this association sell their products, with the marker ‘SR’ on bottles, under their own private labels.

Récoltant Manipulant (RM)

If you see the code ‘RM’ on a Champagne label, the product in question is a Récoltant Manipulant. Otherwise known as ‘grower Champagne’ this code refers to growers who make Champagne from their own grapes. Typically, at least 95% of an RM’s grapes will come from the grower’s estate.

Coopérative Manipulant (CM)

In many ways, a Coopérative Manipulant shares similarities with a Récoltant Manipulant and a Récoltant Coopérateur. These Champagnes, marked out with the code ‘CM’ on labels, are made by Co-Operatives comprised of growers, with all the grapes they produce pulled together to make bottles released under a joint CM label.

Négociant Manipulant (NM)

The majority of major brands, such as those behind many of our Champagnes, are Négociant Manipulant producers. Referred to as ‘NM’ Champagnes, these describe producers who buy all or some of their grapes from other growers. Anything less than 94% estate fruit must be labelled an NM.

Try out your knowledge

If you know the type of producer behind your Champagne, you can find out more about how the final product was made and marketed, allowing you to cultivate a deeper understanding of your purchase. Now you know how to interpret Champagne producer codes, why don’t you put your new knowledge to the test? Buy the Salon 1999 from Ideal Wine Company and use the label to find out which kind of producer was behind this brilliant bottle of Champagne! 

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. 

Buying Wines Online with Ideal Wine Company

The emergence of digital technologies have changed the way we shop. Data from Rabobank suggests that increasingly, we Brits are buying wines online. If you’re looking for a cost-effect wine e-retailer, think about coming to the Ideal Wine Company.

Selecting your vintage

Ideal Wine Company’s online service is incredibly easy to use. All you have to do is head to our website, where you can search for your chosen vintage by region. We feature bottles from some of the most celebrated wine making regions on earth, from old world places like Bordeaux and Italy to new world areas such as California and Australia. You can also find great Champagnes, Cognacs and Ports.

All of the regions featured by Ideal Wine Company are listed on the left-hand side of our website. Click on your desired region and you will be presented with the bottles produced in this area which you can buy from us. Then all you have to do is click your chosen bottle and you will be brought to a page which lists its price and features a picture of the vintage. By hovering your cursor over the picture, you can see an enlarged version of the image, which will allow you to read the bottle’s label.

Buy your wine

Once you’ve selected your vintage, you can buy it quite easily. Let’s say you wanted to purchase the Chateau Petrus 2001, a rich red Bordeaux boasting hints of vanilla, blackcurrants and truffles. Head to this wine’s page, click the ‘buy button’ and this fine vintage will be added to your shopping basket.

After you’ve filled your shopping basket, you can head to Ideal Wine Company’s ‘checkout;’ this button is listed on the left-hand side of our website. Here, you can submit your payment in order to complete your purchase. Note that when you reach the checkout you will also need to utilise our first-rate delivery service, which will ensure your chosen bottles are brought straight to your door!

You will need to know how to pay for your Ideal Wine Company purchase to complete this process. We accept three forms of payment; credit/debit card, bank transfer and cheques. Note that we accept all major credit and debit cards however, any product paid for via card must be delivered to the billing address. There is a 2.5% surcharge for credit card payments and a 3.5% charge for Amex cards, but there is no charge if you pay via debit card.

Enjoy your wine!

It really is that simple! After you have completed the process of buying wines online with Ideal Wine Company, you can sit back and relax. Once your chosen vintages have been delivered, you can crack open a bottle, pour yourself a nice glass and indulge in a fine wine your taste buds are sure to love! 

Explaining the Ideal Wine Company's Fine Wine Delivery Service

We always strive to ensure you receive outstanding service when you purchase a bottle of luxury wine from the Ideal Wine Company. As part of our commitment to excellence, we have a first-rate fine wine delivery service. Road on for more details.

Buying wine online

Data from Rabobank, a financial services group, indicates that people across the UK are increasingly choosing to buy wine online. It’s not hard to see why. E-commerce channels provide consumers with convenience, allowing them to make purchases from the comfort of their own homes.

If you’re looking for an online fine wine retailer, think about purchasing your next luxury vintage from the Ideal Wine Company. We sell bottles produced in some of the most prominent wine making regions on earth, from old world areas like Bordeaux, to emerging new world regions like California.

Fine wine delivery

When you make a purchase from us, you will need to use our fine wine delivery service, where we arrange for your bottles to be sent right to your doorstep. Our deliveries take place between 8am and 5pm on weekdays. No deliveries can be made on a weekend.

There is a charge attached to the Ideal Wine Company fine wine delivery service. We should note that the cost listed in this article is based on UK addresses only, so prices may vary for delivery to non-UK addresses and import duty may apply. We don’t currently deliver overseas. Our minimum delivery charge is a bank balance friendly £15 and this will allow for up to 12 bottles of your favourite tipple to be sent direct to you.

Here at the Ideal Wine Company, we also buy fine wine from consumers, allowing us to widen the variety of products available to our customers. We should note that if we buy a bottle of wine from you, we won’t charge you for collection, ensuring you truly reap the benefits of the sale. It’s important to note however that if the wine you are transferring to us is in a bonded warehouse account, you may be charged a fee by your warehouse.

Value for money

The Ideal Wine Company is committed to providing real value for money. Our fine wine delivery service ensures you receive your purchase conveniently, without having to break the bank! For instance if you buy three bottles of Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT 1990 from us– a great Italian red wine by the way, you can have them delivered straight to you for just £15!

Study Reveals Most Expensive Cities to Buy a Glass of Wine

The results of a new study should prove invaluable to wine tourists. The research has shown the five most expensive cities on earth to buy a glass of wine.

Wine travel

Travelling the world to experience different wine cultures can be an incredibly fruitful endeavour. It can allow you to learn more about grape production, give you the opportunity to sample local varietals and provide you with the chance to visit some of the most famous wine bars on earth. 

Ideal Wine Company previously revealed what we believe are the top five wine destinations of 2016. They included fabulous metropolises such as Porto, the global capital for the Port wine industry and Hong Kong, where you can find some of the most breath-taking Bordeaux's you’ll ever taste.

Expensive cities

The latest version of The Economist’s bi-annual ‘cost of living report’ has shown which cities have the most expensive wine prices. Online industry portal The Drinks Business explains that this study determines a city’s overall cost of listing by considering over 50,000 individual prices throughout more than 400 products and services.

The report looked at everything from the cost of pint of milk to the price of a bottle of wine. Through this analysis the research discovered that overall, Singapore is the most expensive city in the world. This is the third year in a row the South East Asian metropolis has earned this title, “but its lead over the next two cities in the ranking has nearly evaporated.”

Further analysis

Continuing, the report writes: “Zurich and Hong Kong follow closely in joint second place, with Hong Kong climbing seven places up the ranking in the last 12 months. London, New York and Los Angeles also move up the ranking to 6th, 7th and 8th place, respectively, displacing Sydney, Melbourne and Oslo from the ten most expensive cities.

“New York and Los Angeles move up the ranking because of currency headwinds rather than significant local price rises. In fact, the opposite may be true. With the falling cost of oil and a strong US dollar pushing down prices, local inflation has been relatively low across the US. Despite this, New York is in its highest global position since 2002 and has risen by some 42 places up the cost of living ranking since 2011, when it was barely among the 50 most expensive cities, let alone the top ten.”

Take it online

Rather than buying a glass of wine, you may wish to take the more cost effective option of purchasing a bottle online. Figures from Rabobank, a financial services company, suggest that Britons are increasingly buying wine online. At online wine retailer Ideal Wine Company, you can find a great selection of Bordeauxs for prices your wallet is sure to love! 

Celebrate Pi Day with these wine and pie pairings

PiDay is officially upon us. This event may be designed to celebrate the mathematical concept of ‘pi,’ but a lot of people mark it by tucking into a nice tasty ‘pie’ instead. If you want to team one of these gorgeous pastries with wine to create a true culinary experience, stick around. The Ideal Wine Company reveals which wines to pair with some of your favourite pies.

Roast Vegetable pies

This pastry dish can be really varied, so the bottles you choose should depend on your roast vegetable pie’s main ingredients. If it contains things like red onions or coriander, go for a light white. A Riesling or a Chenin Blanc would work really well here. However, a Rhône-style Syrah, like the Hermitage La Chapelle 1985, works fantastically if your pie has elements such as cumin and sweet potatoes.

Chicken pot pies

A total classic, chicken pot pie never gets old. However, if you want to add a new twist to this favourite and pair it with wine, opt for a dry white. This will really complement the chicken. If you pour yourself a glass of Chardonnay or Chenin Blanc before you tuck into your chicken pot pie, you’ll give yourself a treat your taste buds are sure to thank you for!

Steak and kidney pie

These pies can be really weighty, so you might want to go for a heavy wine to achieve the right balance. Steak and kidney pie tastes wonderful with full-bodied reds, particularly those produced in Bordeaux. We’d suggest you buy the Chateau Palmer 1989 here. Produced in Bordeaux’s illustrious Medoc region, this bottle boasts the unique character needed to set off a steak and kidney pie!

Apple pie

Most people say that sweet pies should be paired with dessert wines. This can work well but if you want to be more adventurous, try a Port instead. The caramel-infused flavour of a decent Port basically makes apple pie taste like caramel apples, which is great if you have a sweet tooth! The Fonsecas Finest 1977 Vintage Port, which you can purchase from us, would serve as the perfect choice here.

Experiment with pi

We’ve only just scratched the surface. Pie is a very versatile dish - there are so many kinds! Whatever kind of wine you love, there will be a pie somewhere that matches it; you just have to find the right one! Instead of doing sums this Pi Day, why don’t you do some experimenting, so you can find the right wine and pie pairing for your taste buds! 

Which wines are good for Easter?

Easter’s fast approaching. Now would be a good time to think about which wines you want for the occasion. Whether having a meal with loved ones or simply enjoying an Easter egg to yourself, Ideal Wine discuss the perfect wine accompaniment.  

Pair with chocolate

You’re never too old for an Easter egg, so if you’re looking for wines to drink this Easter you might want to opt for vintages that taste amazing with chocolate. We’d suggest that you learn the key rules of pairing wine with chocolate, so you select a vintage that’ll really complement your Easter eggs.

For example the darker the chocolate, the darker your wine should be. Therefore if your Easter egg has a high cocoa content, you might want to team it with the Chateau Lafleur 1990, which you can purchase from the Ideal Wine Company. The subtle complexities of this robust Bordeaux red will highlight the rich flavours of the chocolate, providing you with a great Easter treat!

Cater to your meal

If you’re holding a family gathering this Easter, you might want to pick a wine that’ll complement your Easter Sunday meal. Some people opt for ham on this family occasion and if you’re planning to do the same, you may want to go for a Riesling-style dry white. These vintages boast enough acidity to bring out the best qualities of ham, without compromising its flavour.

But spring is the time of re-birth, so many people choose to serve lamb on Easter Sunday. If you’re planning on lamb, you may want to pair this succulent meat with wines that boast the fruity hints and acid levels required to highlight its mouth-watering flavours. Reds – especially from Burgundy or the Rhone Valley – tend to go well with lamb. We’d suggest you buy the Le Corton 2002, a rich Burgundy red, if you’re thinking of serving lamb this Easter.

Push the boat out

But this holiday only comes around once a year, so which wines should you select if you really want to push the boat out this Easter? We’d advise you to go for Champagne – this French tipple just screams luxury, making it the perfect choice if you want to celebrate this holiday with style!

If you want to find a Champagne that’ll work well for Easter, but won’t break the bank, visit the Ideal Wine Company website’s Occasion Wines Page. Here, we list the outstanding vintages you can use to ring in the special events of your life. For example, here you can find the Dom Perignon Rose 1996; this gorgeous pink sparkling wine contains a heady array of rich fruity flavours. It’s go down a treat with your family when you serve it to them this Easter!