What's going on in the vineyards of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne? Exclusive, private, guided wine tours at www.bellawinetours.com
Wednesday 25 January 2012
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte New Sculptor.
One of my very favorite Chateaux to visit at Bella Wine Tours is the magnificent Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte in the Pessac Leognan area. It is definitely worth clicking on their link as there are very few websites that have U2 as backing music!!
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte is owned by the deeply charismatic and passionate Cathiard family. Daniel and Florence run the Chateau, whilst their daughters run the 5 star Hotel Les Sources de Caudalie which is based in the vineyards and also the hugely successful global Caudalie cosmetic brand.
The Cathiard family work extremely hard and they are evidently one of the movers and shakers in the Bordeaux wine world. However they were complete outsiders when they initially bought the slightly unkempt Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte back in 1990. The Chateau had been run by the negociant firm Louis Eschenauer for a few years and there had not been an enormous re investment. The subsequent vintages of 1991 (frost), 1992 (rain), 1993 (average) were a big lesson for Daniel and Florence Cathiard as they wanted to develop and invest in the vineyards and the property.
However now the Cathiard family are reaping the rewards for their years of passion, vision and investment. The Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is a truly stunning wine. The minerality and grapefruit zest character are in beautiful balance. Whilst the Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge has progressed in leaps and bounds. Although I generally find it slightly lighter style it normally has a warming savory and spice which are reflective of the excellent quality of the grapes.
One aspect that is always evident when visiting the Chateau are the incredible sculptures that spring up around the vineyards. The 'leaping hare' (by Barry Flanagan) is a beautiful creation between the vines and the restaurant (apt?). The 'scrunched up wine tasting notes' sculpture is in the main lawn area, whilst the 'man with the birds pecking him' overlooks the vines. Some of the sculptures are slightly odd, some of them you have to decipher and work out. But it is fun, innovative and eccentric to have a vineyard and wine estate dotted with statements and feeling.
The latest sculpture by the English sculptor, Charles Hadcock, has been revealed by Jane Anson in Decanter magazine here.
Thursday 19 January 2012
Guest Spot: Alexander Hall, Vineyard Intelligence
THE man to ask is Alexander Hall of Vineyard Intelligence. We are very pleased that he has answered a few questions here:
1. So Alex. tell me why you ended working with wine?
Thanks Alex.
So, if you want to take the plunge and invest in a vineyard, or if you have friends who want to live the dream I can thoroughly recommend that you contact Alex Hall at Vineyard Intelligence.
Wednesday 4 January 2012
Chateau Coupe Roses
Owners: Pascal et Francoise Frissant Le Calvez
Hectares under Vine: 45 hectares.
Appellation: Minervois AOC. Small parcels located at the top of the hills. A dry and relatively cold climate. the soils are stony over a clay, limestone base.
Grape varieties:
Red: Syrah, Grenache Noir, Carignan, Cinsault, Mourvedre and Lledoner Pelut
Whites: Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Muscat Petit Grains and Grenache Blanc
Styles of wine produced: Very fruity, but with a strong structure and soft tannins. Well balanced.
Web Links: www.coupe-roses.fr
Tuesday 3 January 2012
Chateau de la Riviere
We work with some fantastic quality wine producers from Bordeaux and the Languedoc. We will feature some of their details here from time to time:
Name of Producer….. : James GREGOIRE
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How many hectares under vine…… : 60
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Which appelation or area? Fronsac
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Grape varieties planted……..80% Merlot ; 15% Cabernet Sauvignon ; 4% Cabernet Franc ; 1% Malbec
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Soil types……… clay-limestone
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Styles of wine produced…….Top (ARIA) and first (Ch de La Riviere) cuvees are produced in order to extract the best of our terroir : powerful, elegance. Second wine (Les Sources du Ch de La Riviere) is an easy-to-drink wine, on the fruit, round.
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Awards, Medals, Achievements? Gold or silver medal at Concours General de Paris every year.
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Web links to your website/blog etc ? WEBSITE : www.vignobles-gregoire.com
FACEBOOK PAGE : http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ch%C3%A2teau-de-La-Rivi%C3%A8re/162089740523321
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TWITTER : @ChdeLaRiviere
YOUTUBE : ChdeLaRiviere
Sunday 1 January 2012
Happy New Year 2012
2011 has been an interesting year on all fronts. business for Bella Wines has been solid and reliable in the UK market, whilst Bella Wine Tours has significantly increased the quantity of quality wine tours that we operate in Bordeaux and the south of France. Our largest group was 28 people in May 2011. This was a challenge for the logistics, but a thoroughly enjoyable tour. 14 people stayed in a 5 star Hotel and 14 people stayed in a 3 star Hotel. We managed all the transport, visits, tastings, lunches and some special extra meetings with Chateau owners and key people in Bordeaux.. We managed to visit and taste the wines at Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Margaux, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Pontet Canet, Chateau Lynch Bages, Chateau La Mission Haut Brion, Chateau Yquem and many many more magnificent places.
The client was so happy that they have re booked for a larger tour in 2012.
We have benefited from 'word of mouth' marketing so far to generate virtually all of our business, apart from writing this blog and gradually increasing my Twitter usage (@hamishwm). We have also started a Facebook page dedicated to Bella Wine Tours. So please feel free to follow, like or contact me via any or all of these media outlets to keep abreast of what is going on.
Our goals for 2012 are quite clear for bella Wines. We want to expand our wine distribution for quality Languedoc and Bordeaux wines in to the USA, Canada, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brazil, India and Russia.
And the goals for Bella Wine Tours are also clear. We want to generate more partnerships with wine clubs and wine groups all around the world as we firmly believe that we offer an exceptional wine tour at Bella Wine Tours.
Our focus will remain on quality wines, quality people and quality service.
Please feel free to add comments on this blog, we appreciate all feedback.
Cheers and a Very Happy New Year.