20 things that I learned in 2018.........

1. I respect politicians even less.

2. Petrus is worth over €1 billion (for 11 hectares/ 28.2acres).

3. The 2016 vintage from Bordeaux,which has just been bottled will be sensational.

4. The 2018 vintage from Bordeaux, which has just been harvested will be even more sensational.

5. The growers in Burgundy are (finally) happy with quantity as well as quality for the 2018 harvest.

6. Champagne is a beautiful countryside area and the small villages are charming.

7. Reims Cathedral is still my favourite architechtural building in the World.

8. Gevrey Chambertin is vying with Volnay for my favourite Burgundy village for red wine.

9. Mexican, Ecuadorian, Peruvian and Brazilian clients are great fun.

10. Bordeaux 2013(for reds is a dead dog), whilst 2013 Sauternes is sensational.

Daniel Cathiard's dog at Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte.

11. Scottish people may have short arms and deep pockets, but they have a great sense of humour.

12. Everything in Texas is big.

13. Girls from Cardiff on a hen weekend in Bordeaux can be very entertaining, although I learned some new language and .......positions.

14. Having over 1000 genuine Instagram followers @bellawinetours has created more business opportunities.

15. Having over 4000 Facebook friends @ Hamish Wakes-Miller has not developed as many business opportunities as Instagram.

16. Having over 2000 followers on Twitter @hamishwm has maximum effect when you tweet @realdonaldtrump about wine taxation.....over 18000 impressions.

17. I worked 11% more for 6% less in 2018.

18. English footballers win recognition and praise for coming 4th in a World Cup, whilst a most honourable, talented and skilled ex England cricket captain receives a totally justifiable knighthood. Well done Sir Alastair Cook.

19. Even after 31 years working in the wine trade there is plenty more to learn, explore and taste. Burgundy and Champagne have been exhilarating to visit in 2018.

20. The wine world has some truly fabulous, interesting, charming and fantastic people.

Visiting Burgundy

The famous vineyard of Romanee Conti covers 1.63 hectares (4 acres). Production is +-3500 bottles per year. The wine sells for +- €20,000 per bottle. A monopole vineyard (ie one owner)

The Grand Cru vineyard of Chevalier Montrachet covers 7.47 hectares (18.5 acres) and produces approximately 40,000 bottles. Just above the village of Puligny Montrachet in the Cote de Beaune.

One of my favourite areas of Burgundy is the area around Gevrey Chambertin in the Cote de Nuits.

Fascinating map of the very precise vineyards of Gevrey Chambertin. Village, Premier and Grand Cru sites.

Domaine Jacques Prieur has some of the finest Grand Cru vineyards.

New investment from the American Evenstadt family of Oregon has energised this beautiful Domaine in Santenay, Chateau de la Cree.

Domaine Jacques Prieur cellars.

Hanging out with Alicia at Romanee Conti.

Another new investor in the area is Michael Baum who bought Chateau de Pommard in 2014. Michael was succesful in Big Data in San Francisco. He is already bringing analysis and technology to the estate, whilst respecting the fantastic potential in the terroir. An interesting long term investment to follow.

The famous Hotel Dieu in Beaune also known as the Hospices de Beaune, built in 1443 by the generous Nicolas Rolin. A hospital for the poor and the sick.

Not all estates are available to visit in Burgundy. But we have some great access to some beautiful places.

Montrachet is an iconic Grand Cru vineyard in the Cote de Beaune. 7.99 hectares (19.7 hectares) with 18 owners and 26 producers making +- 45,000 bottles per year.

We are running tours throughout the year in Burgundy, so please contact us for more details: hamish@bellawines.co.uk