Berry Bros – Your March update from Max Lalondrelle
Whether it’s the brighter days or the prospect of a somewhat “normal” summer, things are looking up. There’s a lot happening in fine wine, too: our Rhône 2019 En Primeur offer is days away, followed in short order by our Barolo 2017 release. At the producer level, there are notable releases coming soon from Ch. Latour and Clos des Lambrays.
The big one, of course, will be Bordeaux En Primeur. Our Bordelais friends are certainly optimistic: the story so far is one of reduced quantity but high quality. At Domaine de l’A, Stéphane Derenoncourt calls it “a beautiful vintage”, drawing comparison to ’18, though with perhaps a little less power. Henri Lurton at Ch. Brane-Cantenac considers ’20 the third great vintage in a row – though his yields are down considerably at just 30 hl/ha. And at Ch. L’Evangile, the new team of Olivier Trégoat and Juliette Couderc have just finished the blend; they talk of balance, tension and opulence.
For the second year running, we’ll taste in Basingstoke rather than Bordeaux. Over the next couple of months, we’ll ramp up our Bordeaux coverage – we’re excited to get started.
Max Lalondrelle
Managing Director, Fine Wine
The latest fine wine news
Rhône 2019 vintage report
The 2019 Rhône vintage was characterised by searing heat and limited rainfall – and has translated into incredible wines, says our Buyer, Catriona Felstead MW. She found the wines of the North to be “glorious, with aromatic perfume and wonderful fruit.” In the South, including Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the wines are characteristically fresh, intense and concentrated.
Catriona has just published her complete vintage report. “In short,” she says, “2019 looks like an exceptional vintage for our growers.”
A guide to the Southern Rhône
This fascinating region is home to some of France’s most characterful and best-value wines. Here, Mark Pardoe MW explains how to navigate the Southern Rhône, from Châteauneuf-du-Pape where terroir speaks volumes, to the village wines where climate is key.
Barolo 2017 vintage report
The 2017 Barolo vintage is a “modern-age classic”, says our Italy Buyer, Davy Żyw. “Much of the vintage offers us early or medium-term drinking – a delightful counterpoint to the time-demanding ’16s”.
You can read Davy’s full vintage report on our blog.
Waterford: the quest for terroir in whisky
Mark Reynier led an enviable career in fine wine before moving into spirits. “When I entered the whisky industry, I remember feeling like I was going from the light side to the dark side,” he recalls.
We talk to Mark about making the leap from wine to spirits – first with Bruichladdich and now with Waterford – and his near-obsession with terroir in whisky.
Virtual event: Barolo and Barbaresco masterclass with Barbara Drew MW
The rolling hills of Langhe are hallowed ground for the Nebbiolo grape. Neighbouring appellations Barolo and Barbaresco invariably draw comparisons to Burgundy: here, they make wines from a single noble variety, and the best take years of ageing to reach their best.
Join Barbara Drew MW on Thursday 25th March 2021 for this in-depth look at the pride of Northern Italian winemaking.
La Màgia: the pursuit of quality
Fabian Schwarz is the second-generation owner-winemaker at La Màgia. Born and raised in Montalcino, he has seen a major transformation in the region. We recently caught up with him to talk farming, experimentation and family history.
Fine wine to drink now
The allure of a ready-to-drink fine wine is hard to resist. There’s the supple earthiness of an aged Claret; the haunting aromatics of a mature Bourgogne; or the dark-gold headiness of a fully developed Sauternes.
Discover our range of fine wines that are drinking wonderfully now.
Our At Home fine dining service
Our finish-at-home fine dining service is now available nationwide. Our Michelin-trained Executive Chef, Stewart Turner, has prepared an Alsace-inspired menu; for the full experience, you’ll also find expert wine pairing suggestions from Barbara Drew MW.
