NEWS LINKS
First look at the upcoming 2007 harvest
August 6, 2007
The lucky country for the 2007 harvest is shaping up to be Italy. Dramatic climate change has created perfect growing conditions that have ripened the grapes early, and there is much anticipation in the air over the potential of the 2007 vintage.
Germany was also blessed with warmer than usual weather. This is great news for these producers in one of the coolest growing regions in the world. The often hard to ripen Riesling should be no problem this year.
2006 Bordeaux: A Spotty Year with Mixed Reviews
April 1, 2007
2006 in Bordeaux may have weeded out the pretenders due to the difficult growing season - but some excellent wines did prevail.
To Chip or not to chip
March 16, 2007
The 2006 vintage from some of Europe’s premier wine growing regions will showcase for the first time the use of wood chips, a new world technique that combats the cost and timeliness of traditional oak barrels. This process utilizes oak chips like giant tea bags, placing them in massive stainless steel vats in an effort to quickly enhance aroma and flavor. For some European producers, the backing for oak chipping is seen as a necessary evil needed to modernize and re-launch European wines on the world market.
Australia 2007: Incredible efforts to yield small harvest, but exciting wines.
March 16, 2007
Mother Nature has given Australian winemakers a run for their money in 2007, but it looks like they will be compensated for their hard work after all.
Introducing the Colchagua Valley
The Next Napa Valley?
February 6, 2007
The Colchagua Valley is a stretch of land well South of Santiago Chile. It is about 75 miles long by 22 miles wide. The Valley is beautiful, newly discovered and rapidly becoming a tourist destination for those with the “been there, done that” attitude towards Napa.
2006
Former President George H.W. Bush Attends N.I.A.F.
November 3, 2006
The N.I.A.F (National Italian American Foundation) Anniversary Gala last week was a hugely successful event for Montesquieu. Consisting of a wine tasting, gala dinners, a cocktail party with Frankie Vali and the Four Seasons, a luncheon with former President George H.W. Bush, a guest appearance by President George W. Bush and a judicial debate with guest Supreme Court justices Antonin Scalia and Samuel Alito, the well rounded event was held at the Washington Hilton in D.C.
Exploring Alternatives to Chardonnay
October 26, 2006
Chardonnay is the undisputed king of the white wine. It is prevalent throughout most of the world’s top important viticultural regions and is available wherever wine is marketed. Its versatility, ease of ripening, and vigor make it one of the least difficult grapes to work with.
Harvest Report: Helene Mingot Discusses the Harvest
October 24, 2006
This year, the picking season got off to a late start. Helene Mingot and Stéphane Derénoncourt expect to be very busy right through Christmas. Prior to the start of harvest, the winemaking team had been directing their efforts towards selecting grapes from winegrowers, visiting vineyards and wineries, and choosing grapes and blocks with good terroir, soil, climate and exposition.
New Winemaker Joins Montesquieu Team
Helene Mingot to Assist Stéphane Derénoncourt in Napa Valley
October 23, 2006
Bringing with her an impressive list of winemaking credentials, Helene Mingot, raised in Frances’ famed Loire Valley, has joined the Montesquieu team.
Montesquieu Wine Maker Derenoncourt Gains Further Recognition
New St. Emilion Classifications Announced
September 15, 2006
The new, 2006 classification system has been announced. Troplong Mondat and Stephane Derononcourt’s Chateaux Pavie-Macquin have both been elevated to the selective group of Premier Grand Cru Classes: Category B. Other notable Chateaux in that group are Chateau Angelus, Chateau Pavie and Chateau La Gaffeliere.
B.Y.O.W ! The Top 20 Restaurants
Montesquieu Wines Restaurant Recommendations
September 12, 2006
Bringing wine to restaurants is more accepted than you may think. It is a common practice amongst wine lovers and can be rewarding in more ways then one. Not only will you be able to enjoy a wine that you know you love, but you can also avoid the 400% markup that occurs when ordering a wine off a list.
Biodynamics
August 1, 2006
A winemaker’s pursuit of harmony with his vineyards
Stéphane Derenoncourt’s work philosophy is to respect nature and the identity of each wine he makes. Taste his wines, they carry a sense of place and character that few in this day of alcohol-laden fruit bombs can rival.
Biodynamic Farming: Heal the Earth, Treat Your Palate
July 21, 2006
The age old, yet recently revived practice of Biodynamics is steadily proving itself in the wine community. Although the notion of combining the cosmos with an organic and holistic approach to farming may seem a bit far-fetched to some people, others are reaping the benefits.
Napa Valley Wine Auction
June 20, 2006
Once again, the extravagant and star-studded Napa Valley Wine Auction proved itself to be the most successful charity wine event in the world. This year, the four-day long whirlwind of wine tastings, dinners and auctions brought in an impressive $8.4 million for youth programs, health care and low-income housing charity efforts.
Rhone Madness!
March 9, 2006
Following a series of great vintages, Rhone wines are the ones to watch. Rhone wine lovers will soon be showered with a great number of enticing wines from the Rhone Valley. With both red and white varietals benefiting from a string of outstanding vintages and the release of 1997 and 1998 vintages from Hermitage and Condrieu, we are entering another period of Rhone Madness.