The Bordeaux Wine Magazine 5,     July-August, Vintage 2011

Vinexpo 2011 Special

Goes out to over 23.000 Bordeaux Wine Lovers all over the world!

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Read about:

vVinexpo 2011, first the facts and the feasts

v Vinexpo the facts

v Vinexpo the feasts

v Dinner at Haut Brion

v Join the trip of a lifetime

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Dear Wine Lover,

Ronald tasting some great wines with Decanter Magazine's Steven Spurrier (R)

Don't be intimidated by tuxes and ties because this is the Gala Issue of this magazine. I lived in my tuxedo and suits for a week because of Vinexpo. This largest fine wine exhibition in the world was a great success last week.
But that's not the only reason why 2011 is a very exciting year to be living in Bordeaux: The outstanding vintage 2010 is being released on futures.
And we're looking at another very interesting Bordeaux vintage in the making because the 2011 Bordeaux may be the earliest harvest ever! The whites may start the harvest in August and the reds will probably start picking early September.

My personal challenge
On a personal note I must tell you about the kind emails I have been receiving of people seeing my pictures in the Vintage Special: Yes, I have lost weight and yes, it was on purpose. Some of you were worried that I may have been ill. Absolutely not! Actually I am feeling better than ever. I am very excited that I have managed to loose 26 kg (some 57 lbs). That's why in in the last few issues of this Magazine I couldn't write a lot of the " What Ronald has been drinking" part, as Ronald hadn't been drinking much during his diet. My dieting days are over now but the challenge remains of course to keep this weight off. Especially as I was faced with all the great meals we enjoyed on the May Grand Tour and the dinners we attended during Vinexpo. As we are recuperating from Vinexpo and preparing for next week's Grand Tour of Bordeaux, I have found the answer: Loads of water and some exercise. Hopefully you can see which pictures are from before, and which are from a more recent date...

The Bordeaux 2010 being released
The outstanding vintage 2010 is now being released on futures. If you were hoping for lower prices you were too optimistic. First Growth Chateau Margaux released 9% up from it's 2009 initial release. Mouton Rothschild has mirrored Margaux and released at € 600 ex-negociant. The second wine "le Petit Mouton" is at € 108, almost double the initial release price of the 2009 vintage (€ 60). Latour was the most expensive First Growth at € 650 ex chateau.
Small potatoes compared to right bank star Ausone up 17% on its 2009 price of € 960 to come out this year at € 1120 per bottle ex negociants. (just about € 200 per glass!).

Make a wine lover's dream come true
Are you still dreaming of visiting the top Bordeaux vineyards? For the price of a few of these First Growths you can make this dream come true. You may even leave your tuxedo's suits and ties at home! I have seen enough of these last week.
On the Grand Tour of Bordeaux you will visit and taste at First Growths Lafite Rothschild Mouton Rothschild, Margaux, Latour, Haut Brion and Yquem!
Be one of the lucky ones to join us for this once in a lifetime experience. We have some spots left for the Grand Tour of September and some spots for the Bordeaux Harvest Tour.
And we can recommend the November Grand Tour to you. Just click here now and we will send you the detailed itinerary. Remember we just conduct a limited number of these tours per year, so be sure to be with us in 2011. (See the 2012 Bordeaux Wine Tour Schedule for the upcoming season).

Ronald and Margaret ready for the 9 star dinner at First Growth Château Haut Brion

My tuxedo is currently at the dry cleaners to get all Grand Cru stains removed and will be replaced by a more relaxed attire during next week's Grand Tour of Bordeaux.

I hope you won't be intimidated by all my stories about the great wines, extraordinary food and wonderful people we met. Don't worry, we're back on earth again.

And please remember: Don’t drink anything I wouldn't drink!
Cheers from Bordeaux,

Ronald Rens, M. Sc., Wine Master
Editor-in-Chief and Wine writer
The Bordeaux Wine Magazine

 

Vinexpo 2011 the facts and the feasts

Over 48.000 wine professionals attended Vinexpo this year

Let me first explain what Vinexpo actually is. Vinexpo is the largest professional fine wine exhibition in the world. This wine show is held bi-annually in Bordeaux. Next year Vinexpo will be in Hong Kong to return to Bordeaux in 2013.

Vinexpo the facts

Vinexpo, open to wine professionals only, is huge, with 2400 exhibitors from 47 countries. The exhibition was attended by some 48.000 visitors (3% more than in 2009) from more than 138 countries. The number of foreign visitors (non French) set a record with, in particular, an exceptionally strong presence from Asia which contributed one foreign visitor in three. China showed its strength and growing interest in wine by doubling the number of participants.
France is the largest exhibitor with about a quarter of the total stand space. Bordeaux has the "home plate" so to speak and many chateaux organize lunches, dinners and receptions. We have attended an outstanding selection of these events for you and enjoyed no less than 13 Michelin stars!
I will tell you all about two of those remarkable dinner parties and I'll be keeping two stories for the September issue of this Magazine.

Vinexpo the feasts

Attention to detail at the Vinexpo Openings Dinner

Vinexpo traditionally kicks off with the Opening Dinner in the Pessac-Léognan. This year this dinner was held at Chateau Bouscaut. All the Grand Crus Classés de Graves present their wines at a tasting that precedes the dinner. We were received by Haut Brion's Jean Philippe Delmas, this time acting as president of the Crus Classés de Graves. I asked him how he was doing. He jokingly referred to the futures prices that hadn't been released at the time: "Everything is great, I feel like the guy falling from a skyscraper; As long as I am still falling, everything is great!".
In his speech over dinner Delmas continued his mocking tone: "Even for a great vintage like 2010 the prices eventually will come out and like always the buyer will think it is too expensive and the seller finds it too cheap".

For the aperitif we were invited into the gardens behind the chateau. It was lovely to mingle with the international crowd of wine makers, wine traders, wine journalists and wine buyers while enyoing a glass of Chateau Bouscaut. Dinner was served in a conservatory kind of structure built especially for this occasion. Intimacy was created by the dramatic night blue velvet ceiling covering.
Don't dine at Michelin rated restaurants in France during Vinexpo because all chefs will be in Bordeaux. This night our chef Pascal Nibaudeau from the Pressoir d'Argent, the one Michelin star restaurant from Bordeaux's Regent Grand Hotel left his restaurant to cook for us here.

Ronald and Margaret enjoying the Bouscaut 1985 from Imperiale

The wines were served "au hasard des tables". The literal translation would be randomly. Well, not completely random as all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others. Monsieur Delmas and his table guests enjoyed Haut Brion of course, while Veronique Sanders made sure that at her table Haut Bailly was served. But who am I to complain, we were more than happy with the excellent wines served at our table.
All wines were brought in -dramatically accompanied- by the intimidating music from Richard Strauss's "Also sprach Zarathustra".
For the whites Margaret and I enjoyed the Chateau de Couhins 2007 and the Couhins Lurton 2001 from Magnum. They were served on an original combination of red tuna sushi style and crispy spiced lobster. The main course, roasted sea bass with a very successful combination of foie gras, was accompanied by the reds: Fieuzal 2001, an excellent Pape Clément 2004 and an outstanding magnum of Smith Haut Lafitte 1998.
Traditionally the hosting chateau presents its wine for the cheese. The Chateau Bouscaut 1985 from Imperiale was delicious on the cheese platter.

"Casper the friendly ghost" meets "inflated Michelin men"

For the dessert we were treated to a Sauternes. The First Growth Chateau Climmens 2005 went very well with the steamed biscuit with Persian lemon with a daring saffron ice-cream and almond cream.
For coffee, cognac and cigars we were invited in the castle's courtyard. Here we were amazed by a rather bizarre spectacle. There was a dance of what is probably best described as a blend of "Casper the friendly ghost" and some "inflated Michelin men". These creatures danced with a large inflated lit up ball that was going up and down in the air.
The standing joke was whether this represented the Bordeaux 2010 bubble...

Haut Brion: one of my best wine and dine experiences ever

Of the many dinner parties during Vinexpo there is without a doubt one that is the most prestigious of all. That is the dinner held by the Conseil des Grand Crus Classés en 1855 to welcome the international press to Vinexpo. This black tie dinner is traditionally hosted by a First Growth. Since we’ve arrived in Bordeaux we’ve attended the parties that were held at Chateau Margaux, Chateau d’Yquem, Chateau Mouton Rothschild and last time at Chateau Lafite Rothschild.
This year we received a dinner invitation by HRH Prince Robert of Luxembourg, the owner of First Growth Chateau Haut Brion.
Arriving at Haut Brion we were welcomed by Philippe Castéja, President of the Conseil des Grands Crus Classés and Jean-Philippe Delmas, the estate manager of Haut Brion. Traditionally the cocktail consists of Classified Growths from Sauternes and Barsac. We tasted the vintages 2005 to 2008.
As entertainment dancers of the Ballet Nationale de Bordeaux performed with the Chateau as a backdrop.
Our host, Prince Robert, welcomed some 360 guests at his property. On the guest list: Bordeaux Maire and Minister of Foreign Affairs Alain Juppé and many owners of the Classified Growths from the Medoc, Sauternes and Barsac and of course journalists from all over the world.

Dinner was served in a spectacular minimalistic tent structure. But that was to be the only minimalistic touch of the evening. Everything else was over-the-top luxury, from the flower arrangements to the chandeliers and of course the beautiful tables. The entire room was transparent to show off the chateau and the park surrounding it.

Tested each year
In his dinner speech Prince Robert posed the question: "What brought my family to Bordeaux?" The answer was: Passion! In his words: "We have inherited a potential for excellence at Haut Brion, but we are tested each year."

Opulence, luxury and class as a First Growth receives guests

A dining Experience
Three different chefs with each three Michelin stars signed for this banquet. Prince Robert quoted a French proverb: "Too many chefs in a kitchen is a recipe for disaster". The challenge this night of course was to prove this proverb wrong. The chefs were Alain Passard, Yannick Alleno and my personal favorite Anne-Sophie Pic, the only female chef in France with three stars in the Guide Michelin.
Philippe Castéja in his speech as president, commemorated the fact that the French Gastronomy recently was recognized as a UNESCO world heritage. Be that as it may - and I am a big fan of French Gastronomy - I felt that chef Alain Passard challenged our taste buds with his beet roots in a chocolate and honey sauce. A bit too daring for me, but unfortunately also for the wines.

White gloves for the double magnum of Haut Brion 1975 served from the chateau's decanters

I was at the table with Gonzague Lurton the owner of Margaux Second Growth Chateau Durfort Vivens. His wife, Claire Villars-Lurton, owns Margaux Third Growth Chateau Ferrière and Pauillac Fifth Growth Haut Bages Libéral. The Ferrière 2003 and the Dufort Vivens were approachable and pleasing but I preferred the Haut Bages Libéral from the vintage 1990.
On the roasted veal we enjoyed the wine of our host: Chateau Haut Brion 1975. A beautifully evolved color and a great complex nose. Leather aroma's mixed with the famous tobacco and spices. The best of the reds that I tasted this Vinexpo.

9 Michelin stars on one dish

A 9 star dessert.
Each of our three star chefs added to what was called: Dessert Neuf Étoiles. This delicate combination of flavors was the perfect match for the outstanding Chateau Yquem 1990. A spectacular massif Yquem that seemed much younger than its 21 years. Tropical fruit and caramel were strongly present. This wine has a great balance thanks to its good structure and acidity. I think that this is an Yquem that will be enjoyed for generations to come.

Want the best vacation of your life too?

It is still possible join us on The Grand Tour of Bordeaux 2011 on November 21 - November 26, or on the Bordeaux Harvest Tour 2011 from September 26 - October 1.

‘This has been the best vacation of our lives; and believe me, we have had a few great ones!’
Dale and Theresa from California
Grand Tour of Bordeaux May 2011

Are you ready for the ultimate vacation for Wine Lovers?

The Grand Tour of Bordeaux received at Chateau Margaux by the owner Corinne Mentzelopulos

We’re only half way through 2011 but we know many of you plan your travel early.
We are extremely proud to present you the dates for our tours for 2012. If you want to join the fun please check your calendar right now and let us know which tour dates fit you most. Contact us now and I will send you the detailed tour itinerary and other forms straight away. We have planned just 4 Tours for 2012 and we know from experience that these will sell out. So don’t wait to reserve your spot but do it right now! We don’t have room for everybody.
Our aim is to create the best Bordeaux Wine Experiences. We don't organize many tours each year; it’s just a few! There is not a lot of space here. So if you're planning on touring with us, you have to start acting right now.

We know what you want
Your vacation is precious. It’s not just about money but also your valuable time and energy. You want to have the best experience there is.
We realize how valuable your holiday is to you and we promise you the ultimate vacation for any wine lover.

Look at the 7 reasons why savvy travelers toured with us:
• Enjoy the trip of a lifetime
• A great food and wine experience
• Taste at First Growths
• Stay at a private Chateau
• Make new wine friends
• Enjoy and learn more about Bordeaux
• Experience the best Bordeaux has to offer

Still not convinced?
Don't take our word for it. Read what others have to say about our tours: Just click here to read what others have to say on our tours. But don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to see Bordeaux as an insider. There are just six double/twin rooms and one single. If you want to be part of this select group please let me know and I’ll email you all the information you need.

Subscribe your Friends
Dear %%First name%%, I hope you enjoyed this issue. I would like to ask you to subscribe your friends, family members and colleagues that love wine, because it's fun, easy and free!

We wish you a great Summer and we look forward to seeing you in Bordeaux in the near future!

Cheers from Bordeaux,

Ronald and Margaret Rens

Visit our website:

Bordeaux Wine Tours

www.BXWINEX.com

2011 Wine Tour Schedule
(Just six double/twin rooms ,
one single room per tour!)
Open for booking

Last tours and dates for 2011:

The September Grand Tour of Bordeaux 
September 5 - Sept 10, 2011

The Bordeaux Harvest Tour
September 26– October 1, 2011

The November Grand Tour of Bordeaux 
November 21 -Nov 26, 2011

These Bordeaux Wine Tours are 6 days, 5 nights.
 

Avoid disappointment and reserve your place today!
(Click here!)

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2012 Wine Tour Schedule
(Just six double/twin rooms,
one single room per tour!)
Open for booking

Tours and dates for 2012:

The June Grand Tour of
Bordeaux  2012
June 11 - June 16, 2012

The July Grand Tour of
Bordeaux  2012
July 2 - July 7, 2012

The September Grand Tour of Bordeaux  2012
September 3 - Sept 8, 2012

The Bordeaux Harvest Tour
October 1 - October 6, 2012

These Bordeaux Wine Tours are 6 days, 5 nights.
 

Avoid disappointment and reserve your place today!
(Click here!)

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Day Tour Packages
The most complete Packages
in Bordeaux!

Best of Both Worlds
Three days, two nights private wine tour packages
(to Médoc and Saint Emilion)
(Click here!)

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Bordeaux:
Self catering accommodation at Chateau Coulon Laurensac
(Last weeks available this summer)

Chateau Chateau Coulon Laurensac is situated less than 10 minutes from the Bordeaux city center and offers two deluxe self catering holiday homes for two persons and
two self catering cottages for four persons.

Click here for more information.

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The Bordeaux Wine Experience
Chateau Coulon Laurensac
1, chemin de Meydieu
33360 Latresne (BORDEAUX), France

Tel: +33 (0)556 20 64 12
Fax: +33(0)556 21 79 44

Email : info@BXWINEX.com
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Copyright © 2011 by The Bordeaux Wine Experience. All rights reserved. The content, design and graphical elements of this Magazine are copyrighted. The Bordeaux Wine Experience is a Dutch company specializing in wine and culinary tours in the Bordeaux region for an English speaking international clientele.

Please note: For this issue of The Bordeaux Wine Experience Magazine, you're welcome to use the content on the Internet or in hard copy provided you e-mail Ronald (Ronald@BXWINEX.com) to let him know and use this credit line at the top under the title (please make the link clickable if it's online):

Reprinted from The Bordeaux Wine Experience Magazine a free Bordeaux e-Newsletter with permission of The Bordeaux Wine Experience, the leading Bordeaux Wine Tour Company: www.BXWINEX.com