Fellow Wine Lovers,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First up, Happy Birthday to Wyclef Jean, Anil Kumble and Eminem \u2013 three unlikely musketeers – joined by actors Mathhew Macfadyen and Felicity Jones around a cake holding 257 candles, deep breathes everybody, make a wish\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, before we get too carried away with celebrating the birthdays of complete strangers let\u2019s first tune up our tiny violins for the Fine Wine Market, specifically the En Primeur aspect of it. We\u2019ve been hearing the rumours for a while now but this was confirmed when we heard some of the findings of the inaugural 67 Pall Mall London Fine Wine Trends Report.<\/em> Trade rag, Drinks Retailing, reports that the \u201cmembers were particularly disillusioned with the rising price of En Primeur wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy. Members noted that they felt prices had been inflated to \u2018the point where it no longer makes sense to buy wines on release,\u2019 instead opting to purchase on the secondary market.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Couldn\u2019t agree more, ordinary punters have been being priced out of the market over the last few years and, as Adam Garforth MW pointed out: \u201cBordeaux only started being really successful after the 1982 vintage \u2013 and that\u2019s only 40 years ago. Before that, they were working like dogs. But since then, they\u2019ve become a bit lazy.\u201d<\/em> A selling policy that relies on customers FOMO must have a limited shelf life \u2013 we ourselves have seen this with one of our suppliers that we buy top end Italian, Spanish and American kit from. We have bought a number of wines from these characters \u2018En Primeur\u2019, with allocation restrictions, stipulations and complicated terms whilst also paying for these wines anywhere up to 24 months before we see them. Imagine our delight when some of their wines turned up on the Christmas Offers list last week, for less than we paid for them 2 years ago!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyway, we\u2019re not bitter and we move on. We\u2019ve all heard about people \u2018diagnosing\u2019 bone spurs to avoid going to war but it would seem they\u2019re not the first to use a \u2018note\u2019 to their advantage. Our very own former PM, Sir Winston, received a note from Otto C. Pickhardt, M.D. on January 26, 1932, to circumvent Prohibition rules:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is to certify that the post-accident convalescence of the Hon. Winston S. Churchill necessitates the use of alcoholic spirits especially at meal times. The quantity is naturally indefinite but the minimum requirements would be 250 cubic centimetres.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n With power comes great irresponsibility, still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyway, back to wine. We suggested a few new listings last week and now I can let you know about a few more:<\/p>\n\n\n\n First up, a low-alcohol Riesling. We\u2019ve found the No & Lo sector a bit difficult to navigate and have tasted more than we\u2019d have liked to try and find something that feels like it could almost be wine. We\u2019ve got a couple in stock already but two weeks ago we tasted Walt L\u00d8 Riesling 0.5% – \u00a311.49<\/strong> which was a bit of a revelation. Riesling is a natural fit for a low alcohol wine, given they are often made at 8.5%, their fruit and acidity being constantly appealing. Often however, they can be too, too sweet, which is why this one was a revelation – fresh, crisp, light and fruity but with some crisp apple character and a hint of peach in the background, not at all bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next up, a new beer. Herzoglich Bayerisches Brauhaus Tegernsee Tegernseer Hell – \u00a33.60<\/strong> is definitely easier to drink than it is to say! A few customers suggested we try this and so we did \u2013 for me it falls somewhere between Augustiner and Paulaner in style and is certainly refreshing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n