Damian Tillson of Sotheby's wine department considers that sales of Burgundy in the auction market are sluggish. "Except for top domaines such as DRC, de Vogüé and Coche Dury, it's a buyers' market at the moment." Interest in Burgundy and the prices reached at Sotheby's sale this June, which concentrated on vintages 1996, 1997 and 1998, were modest. Tillson observes that the trade are only interested in Bordeaux and that Burgundy enthusiasts who bought generously in the late 90s are awash with stock. Currently Sotheby's wine department is receiving substantial interest from vendors in Europe as well as the UK who are keen to sell their '96, '97 and '98 vintages which are not appreciating in value. Expect some low estimates in the forthcoming sale in London on the 21st September. |
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| Sauzet makes Les Truffière |
| Domaine Sauzet adds a new Puligny Montrachet premier cru to the portfolio of wine with the 2004 vintage. Gerard Boudot produced Les Truffière before the domaine was divided in 1990 and Jean-Marc Boillot took possession of the vines with his share of the domaine. Boudot's new Les Truffière is under the same ownership as Sauzet's La Folatières. The vines are 55 years old. (Tasting notes in the next issue) |
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New venture |
Dujac and de Montille are collaborating in a new venture. Jeremy Seysses comments, "We are seeking to increase the domaine's landholdings and are currently hoping to acquire some vineyards in Vosne-Romanée and Gevrey-Chambertin." The details are not finalised. In the next issue we hope to have a more comprehensive report. |
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| Hollywood store |
| Paul Wasserman is to open a retail wine shop in Hollywood in partnership with Rudy Kurniawan, a young collector. Wasserman, son of the highly respected Burgundy based wine agent Becky Wasserman, has 10 years of experience in the United States in wholesale and retail. For the past five years Wasserman has been a buyer for Woodland Hills Wine Company in Los Angeles, which is well regarded for its Burgundy list. |
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| Germain diversifies |
Benoît Germain of Château de Chorey is to launch a negociant business under his own name later this year. |
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Colin-Déléger family go separate ways |
| From the 2004 vintage Domaine Michel Colin-Déléger domaine has been divided. Michel Colin's sons Philippe and Bruno now produce their own wine. Michel retains the Chevalier and the Demoiselles. Tasting notes on Bruno's first solo vintage will be in the next issue, together with Michel's wine. |
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| New member for the DFT |
| Domaine Charles Rousseau joins Les Domaines Familiaux de Tradition. |
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| New recruits for Mâconnais group |
| The Artisans Vignerons de Bourgogne du Sud which was formed to promote the wine of a group of artisanal producers in the Mâconnais who use sustainable agriculture has acquired two new members - Pascal Pauget of Tournus and Nicolas Maillet of Verzé. |
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| BIVB launch website in English |
| The trade can now refer to an English language website at www.bourgogne-wines.com |
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| New President and Vice President for the BIVB |
| Michel Baldassini succeeds Jean-Francois Delorme as president and Bernard Hervet has been elected as vice president for the customary period of two years. |
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| Cork charter |
| The BIVB (Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne) are attacking the problem of TCA with an official Code of Practice launched this spring, together with advice for members of the trade (bouchcons@bivb.com). |
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| Grand experience |
| Burgundy placed Chardonnay in the spotlight at Vin Expo this year to demonstrate its special affinity with the region and its capacity to express terroir as wine ages. This was illustrated with a tasting of two decades of Grand Cru vintages 'La Saga des Grand Bourgognes Blancs de 1981 à 2001.' |
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| Organic branding |
| French wine labelled from the beginning of this year can carry the AB (agriculture biologique) logo generally found on organic products. BIVB figures indicate that Burgundy has 378 hectares of certified organic vineyards, a rapid expansion from 150 hectares in 2000. There are a further 132 under conversion. |
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| White ascendancy |
| Benard Devillard of the BIVB reports that white Burgundy now accounts for nearly two thirds of production largely due to the expansion of planting in the Mâconnais and Chablis. |
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| A Swiss Alliance |
| An information centre run by the Rochat Agency has been recently opened in Geneva to disseminate information from the BIVB and answer questions. Tel. (0) 22 786 54 22. Email. bourgogne@rochat-pr.ch |
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