Wine-Searcher

Nov 11, 2024 | wine-searcher.com | Barnaby Eales

"Burgundy and Jura producers are turning up in Alsace with cash in hand willing to pay very high sums for Pinot Noir grapes, sums which Alsace growers just can't pay," bemoaned Thomas Larmoyer, a young, rising star winemaker in Alsace. Larmoyer, who makes terroir-driven wines from historic lieux-dits vineyards, under the name of Soil Therapy in Soultzmatt, in southern Alsace, was furious at being driven out of the market.

Aug 4, 2024 | wine-searcher.com | Barnaby Eales

In French supermarkets and hypermarkets, more Crémant bottles are now being sold than Champagne. Crémant exports are riding on a wave and now account for 40 percent of sales. Made in the same traditional method as Champagne, with strict production rules, the rise of Crémant has much to do with the booming cost of living, growth of quality production in relation to price, and changing consumer habits.

Jul 19, 2024 | wine-searcher.com | Barnaby Eales

US President George Washington is said to have enjoyed a bottle of Madeira wine every day; extolling its everlasting aging ability, he toasted his inauguration with Madeira. Presidents since Washington have done the same – but Washington would probably be turning his grave, if he knew that the future of Madeira wine was under threat from several fronts.

May 2, 2024 | wine-searcher.com | Barnaby Eales

The shape of the aging vessel might not fight climate change, but it does impact the finished wine. A top Burgundy winemaker has mocked claims that production vessels are helping winemakers grapple with the climate crisis. Wine producers in France and elsewhere in Europe, are increasingly using rounded or oval big wooden foudres vats to replace smaller barriques, as well as rounded concrete eggs and amphorae.

Apr 3, 2024 | wine-searcher.com | Barnaby Eales

The Champenois were taken aback when Romain Le Guillou told them he was leaving Champagne – to make wine in his homeland of Brittany, an unusual and emerging wine region out west. Le Guillou, aged 40, spent 13 years working in Champagne – first at Krug and then mostly at Veuve Clicquot, where he became director of viticulture in 2017, and director of grape supplies in 2020.