Tuesday, January 31, 2006

This Billionaire Collects Châteaus, Not Wines

Belgian billionaire, Albert Frère, who is co-owner of Château Cheval Blanc, is celebrating his 80th birthday on Saturday. Presumably, he is pouring his famed right bank Cabernet Franc for his friends this weekend. And considering that he is interested in also acquiring Taittinger—the whole house not just a bottle—he may be pouring that Champagne, too.

Monday, January 16, 2006

VDP-Newsletter No. 1 2006

Here’s the latest news from the VDP. The Prädikatsweingüter (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter, or Association of Prädikat Wine Estates) – always active in promoting Germany’s finest wines via trade fairs, auctions, tastings, and a wide range of cultural-culinary events in conjunction with their wines.


ProWein 26 – 28 March 2006

114 member estates jointly exhibiting in an 800-square-meter stand, the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates (VDP) will be the largest German exhibitor at ProWein 2006 in Düsseldorf from 26 – 28 March.
More: http://vdp.de/english/prowein2006.php


Weinbörse 23 – 24 April 2006

The VDP’s annual spring trade fair in Mainz – the Weinbörse – will be the first official showing of no fewer than 150 members’ complete range of vintage 2005 wines.
More: http://vdp.de/english/weinboerse2006.php


Vintage 2005

In general, VDP members rate 2005 as a premium vintage for good sites.
More: http://vdp.de/english/vintage2005.php


David Schildknecht, Parker’s newly appointed expert on Germany, awards highest notes to VDP members’ First und Great Growths

In the latest issue of his magazine The Wine Advocate, the renowned American wine critic devoted 26 pages to German Riesling wines.
More: http://vdp.de/english/wineadvocate.php


The WineBarn invites you to its annual trade Wine Tasting


Monday, 16th January 2006, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., IZ – German Information Centre, London, with personal appearances from some Germany’s leading producers.
More: http://vdp.de/english/wine-tasting.php


Weingut St.Urbans-Hof - New Activities in the UK Market

Weingut St.Urbans-Hof is one of the largest privately held estate wineries in the Mosel Region. Since 1997 Nik Weis, the founder’s grandson is responsible for the winery. He owns parcels in some of the finest sites of the Mosel and Saar valleys. His philosophy is to produce wines that fully reflect the typical character of the vineyard site in which they are grown. With Iris Ellmann and “The Winebarn” he has found an importer who offers great contacts to restaurants of various categories. Especially the high end restaurant scene of London with its innovative sommeliers is where Nik wants to work with his wines.
More: http://vdp.de/english/urbanshof.php