Elena Walch is a leading Alto Adige wine estate, in family hands, and belongs to the elite in Italian wine production, with international success.
They say that taste is subjective, but is this true in a world where quality is everything? One’s enjoyment of something may well be yours and yours alone, but excellence is objective. In the world of beverages, it is this clarification that sets champagne aside from its less-distinguished colleagues in the fridges and in the cellars. How can one be expected to wade into these difficult waters with confidence and conviction? Let us guide you through the waves and into a world of elegance, grace, bliss and bubbles. These are the absolute best champagne brands to look out for.
Look up ‘Pol Roger Champagne’ in the thesaurus and you’ll come across words like ‘class’, ‘luxury’, ‘elite’ and ‘premier’. This is the best of the best in the champagne world, an intoxicating mix of history, grapes and bubbles that Sir Winston Churchill himself swore by. Pol Roger responded in kind, cultivating the Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill in the honour of the brand’s biggest fan. That creation isn’t the cheapest on the market but there are plenty of more affordable options, a variety of bubblies that won’t break the bank. Keep an eye out for the Blanc de Blancs, a sleek and sensuous chardonnay that the Pol Roger family was apprehensive to commit to but perfected nonetheless. Arguably the most consistent champagne house in Épernay, Pol Roger champagne is champagne for the top table.
If you’re naming your vintage cuvée after the Benedictine Monk who did more than most to develop the champagne world in a time when red wine was everything, you need no small amount of confidence in your bubbly. Moët & Chandon has plenty of it and then some, a prominent name in the champagne world since it was founded by Claude Moët back in 1743. Moët & Chandon is also the official champagne provider for Formula One, which tells its own story. Dom Pérignon must be smiling up in heaven. The cuvée is the pinnacle, but there are other less expensive vintages available.
You can’t beat a bottle of Bolly! The juxtaposition of opulent champagne and the British obsession with slang will never grow old. Bollinger’s official champagne house (originally Renaudin Bollinger) may have been founded in 1829 but the family have champagne-producing roots going back to the 15th century, and you can’t beat experience. Price? Anywhere between €25 and €300.
The third best selling champagne brand on the planet, Laurent-Perrier is a wine with a story. Established in 1812, the brand was well on its way to becoming one of the biggest in the world when World War I intervened, a theme that continued with the devastation of World War II and the Nazi Holocaust. Laurent-Perrier sits on the more affordable end of the champagne scale, with bottles available between €30 and €75.
Sitting between Laurent-Perrier and Moët & Chandon in second place is Veuve Clicquot, a near 250 year old champagne house famous for creating the very first vintage champagne, way back in 1820. Madame Clicquot was something of a champagne trailblazer, inventing techniques to improve the beverage as well as devising the very first blended rosé champagne. She also ensured that the distinctive yellow label found its way into the royal houses of Europe, a trend that continues today. The famous rosé is at the top end of the price scale, but other vintages are available for double figure prices.
The production of champagne might be a world dominated by traditional French names and gallic flair, but it is no great surprise to find a little bit of Germanic aptitude in amongst it all. G.H. Mumm was established by a trio of German winemaking brothers from the Rhine, the family had all of its property confiscated in the bitter fallout from World War I, but the name lives on today. The G.H. Mumm brand is known for its marketing creativity, famously employing Usain Bolt as its CEO (Chief Entertainment Officer) back in 2016.
It might not have the name recognition and industrial might of more prestigious monikers, but the medium-sized organisation that is Billecart-Salmon more than holds its own in the taste and price stakes. Billecart-Salmon is a family-owned champagne house where quality trumps quantity, and the prices remain reassuringly low. The Billecart-Salmon rosé, blanc de blancs and brut réserve all chime in under the €70 mark, which is a glorified steal for bubbly this refreshing.
If we’re talking about experience in the wine-making game, it doesn’t get any more impressive than that of the Cattier family. These people have been producing the good stuff since the middle of the 17th century, 13 generations of wine-making expertise that is apparent in every drop of its production. The Cattier cellars are celebrated as the deepest in the game. Price? Well, a bottle of the Cattier Brut Antique Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru will set you back around €55.
The oldest established champagne house in the game, Ruinart has been producing bubbly since way back in 1729, sending out its first bottle of ‘wine with bubbles’ a year later. Ruinart has been about creativity from the beginning, fulfilling the artistic desires of those at the helm and sparing no expense in bringing in outside help along the way, best exemplified by the work of celebrated Czech artist Alphonse Mucha back in 1895. Ruinart’s famous cellars evolved from old chalk pits, keeping a constant temperature and guaranteeing some of the best bubbly going. Price? Well, anywhere between €50 and €200 for a bottle of this famous beverage.
Once the official wine supplier to the Imperial Courts of Russia, Louis Roederer was one of the first champagne makers to focus its efforts on the international market, a ploy that had its fair share of advantages and disadvantages. The proof is in the pudding, which in this case is deliciously opulent bubbly, with its Louis Roederer Brut Premier consistently celebrated as one of the best affordable drinks going. If you’re looking for a fantastic champagne under €50, Louis Roederer Brut Premier is the end of your quest.
]]>POGGIO AL TESORO. Linking innovation and tradition.
As a result of colossal work, we have made a fantastic line of high-quality wines that have received a worldwide calling. We have received numerous awards.
]]>Bolgheri was nothing more than a dream for the Allegrini family: the vision of creating unique wines in a world-famous wine region. The goal came true in stages - ideas gradually materialized and gave way to confidence, plans, knowledge, and concrete steps, until finally, the final project appeared: Poggio Al Tesoro. An exceptional terroir and ideal climatic conditions, together with many years of experience and knowledge, have made Poggio al Tesoro a reality. It now produces wines with a distinct character and personality, reflecting both power, elegance and depth. After several years and a lot of detailed work, Poggio Al Tesoro has become a fantastic 70-hectare estate in the main wine-growing area of Bolgheri.
When you come to Bolgheri and begin to travel along its famous roads, cypress boulevards, the famous Bolgerese highway, you understand that Bolgheri is a continuous series of terraces, ascents, and hills that gradually descend to the sea.
And if you pay attention to the soil, you will immediately notice the changing shades from yellowish to a color similar to tan and coffee as you approach the hills of Castiglioncello. And it is here, thanks to colossal human efforts, began an amazing viticultural transformation from an abandoned, unhealthy place caused by malaria to a famous magical place - the center of Bolgheri wines.
The first vine was planted on the estate in 2003. The choice of varieties was made based on the climatic conditions and characteristics of the POGGIO AL TESORO soil.
Sandy, rocky soils have been planted with more powerful grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. On the other hand, soils rich in clay and minerals are better suited for varieties like Merlot, which produce elegant, harmonious and full-bodied wine flavors. At Via Bolgherese, light tillage keeps the soil cool and aerated, while at Le Sondraie, the grass is grown between each row of vines (winter and spring) to suppress the turbulent energy and maintain the best temperature-humidity ratio.
Vineyards Poggio al Tesoro in Bolgeri :
51% Cabernet Sauvignon 49% Cabernet Franc
This vineyard also has 7 ha. Petit Verdot was planted in the sandiest part and stonier soils were instead planted with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
33% Cabernet Franc 22% Cabernet Sauvignon 45% Petit Verdot
High magnesium content allows growing extremely great Merlot.
20% Merlot 18% Cabernet Sauvignon 28% Cabernet Franc
Also 7 ha planted in 2008
34% Cabernet Sauvignon 33% Cabernet Franc 33% Viognier
As a result of colossal work, we have made a fantastic line of high-quality wines that have received a worldwide calling. We have received numerous awards.
2003
91 - Wine Spectator
2004
92 - The Wine Advocate
92 - Wine Spectator
2005
92 - The Wine Advocate
95 - Wine Enthusiast
91 - Wine Spectator
2006
92+ - The Wine Advocate
94 - Wine Spectator
2007
93 - The Wine Advocate
2008
93 - Wine Enthusiast
90 - Wine Spectator
Gold Medal - International Wine Challenge
2010
91 – Wine Enthusiast
95 – The Wine Advocate
92 – James Suckling
96 – Decanter
17 – Jancis Robinson
2011
94 – Wine Spectator
93 – The Wine Advocate
95 – James Suckling
92 – Vinous
Super 3 Stelle – Guida Oro Veronelli
2012
93 – The Wine Advocate
93 – Wine Enthusiast
95 – Decanter Magazine
Tre Bicchieri – Gambero Rosso
5 grappoli – Bibenda
2014
93 – The Wine Advocate
93 – Wine Enthusiast
95 – Decanter Magazine
Tre Bicchieri – Gambero Rosso
5 grappoli – Bibenda
2015
Super 3 Stelle – Guida Oro Veronelli
97 – Wine Advocate
94 – James Suckling
Now POGGIO AL TESORO wines can be purchased in the wevino.store wine shop.
Besides, the first customer who reads this article can take advantage of a unique special offer to buy a box of 6 bottles Poggio Al Tesoro Bolgheri Il Seggio 2017 with discount code "Seggio" for only 99 euros.
The famous french Pol Roger champagne brand that calls the fruitful grounds of the vast green Champagne valley its home, stands out as one of the best champagne brands in the world. Located in the very heart of Epernay, the exquisite Pol Roger champagne is waiting to be tasted and brought to daylight from one of the longest wine cellars running beneath the Avenue de Champagne.
Pol Roger champagne has kept the family run business a true success story from the vineyards in France for over five generations. The Pol Roger family has remained loyal to the tradition of champagne making and strategy that has been initiated from the very beginning by the Pol Roger founders who have established the Pol Roger champagne brand in 1849. With that being said, the Pol Roger champagne remains one of the rare few champagne houses and brands in the world, which is still run independently by the descendants of Pol Roger.
Due to its harmonious taste and consistent blend, the word about Pol Roger began to spread across the channel and found its way to the United Kingdom in the 19th century. The famous french champagne Pol Roger became quite popular among the British people due to its high quality taste. And this is how the love affair between the Pol Roger champagn and the Brits began. We could easily say the rest is history, but the truth is this is where it actually all began to unfold for the Pol Roger champagn. The world about the exquisite Pol Roger knocked on the doors of the Royal palace in London. Pol Roger got its first Royal Warrant in 1877. Queen Victoria appointed Pol Roger as the royal champagne supplier in 1884.
However, it wasn't until the late Sir Winston Churchill took his first sip of the Pol Roger champagne in 1908 at the Armistice Day Party in Paris, when the news about this exclusive champagne really began to spread across the world and began to gain a lot of traction among the masses, both those in high society circles and “mortals” alike. But the love for the famous french champagne Pol Roger among the British royal family didn't really stop there. Pol Roger champagne was later also honoured with the English Royal Seal. And what an honour for the Pol Roger champagne that really is. There are only nine champagne houses in the world that bear the honour of having the English Royal Seal. Pol Roger still holds and boasts itself with the Royal Warrant till this day and it is still known as the champagne of royalty as it boasts itself with the Royal Warrant, which in translation means Pol Roger champagne is the exclusive champagne brand that provides none other than Her royal Majesty Elizabeth II with all the champagne her British heart desires. It truly does not come as a surprise that the Pol Roger champagne is often referred to as “the most British of champagnes”, despite the french origin of the Pol Roger champagne.
There probably isn't a bigger honour or seal of approval than the approval of the British royal family. Pol Roger Bollier was also one of the champagnes served at the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Diana. In 2011 the Pol Roger champagne received another royal wedding invitation in the mail as they were selected as the prized wedding champagne for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, also known to the masses as William and Kate. However, this wasn't Pol Roger champagne's last royal wedding attendance among the creme de la creme of the world. Alongside Pol Roger champagne being served at the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011, the famous french champagne brand Pol Roger was also served at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (now known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex) in 2018. The last royal wedding Pol Roger champagne attended was at the wedding reception of Princess Eugenie of York and Jack Brooksbank. Pol Roger was the champagne of choice for four royal weddings in succession. With these facts in mind, we could easily say that Pol Roger is the champagne fit for royals.
Pol Roger champagne house is based in the city of Epernay, which is the most famous city in the French Champagne region. The Pol Roger champagne house was founded by Pol Roger in 1849. Initially the well-known Pol Roger champagne house began their business as a wine wholesaler, the founder, son of a lawyer Pol Roger, sold his first bottle of wine at the age of 18.
Pol Roger champagne is one of nine champagne brands in the world that proudly holds Royal Warrant as purveyors of champagne of the British royal family. If the Pol Roger champagne is good enough for her royal majesty Queen Elizabeth II, then we think it will be good enough for you to.
One of the most common questions we see on the internet is: how does Pol Roger cost since the famous French champagne is a favorite among the royals. In this article we will take a look through Pol Roger prices, bottle by bottle.
The Pol Roger Reserve Brut is produced each year at the Pol Roger champagne house, where the ability to reproduce the consistent style and quality in their wine cellars. The Réserve Brut champagne is a terrific blend of equal parts of the three champenois grape varieties: pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay from 30 different crus. The Pol Roger Reserve Brut is also known as the flag-bearer for Pol Roger champagne, which was in fact their first produced Pol Roger champagne. Pol Roger Reserve Brut enchants you with a beautiful display of golden straw and an abundance of the finest bubbles. Pol Roger Brut Reserve champagne’s price is around 50 € or less.
The Pol Roger Brut Vintage champagne is made from the traditional Pol Roger champagne vintage blend, which consists of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay from 20 Grands. The Pol Roger Brut Vintage has been aged for 8 years in the Pol Roger wine cellars, which are hidden beneath the Avenue de Champagne. The Pol Roger Brut Vintage with its attractive gold colour, which is filled with intensity and a continuous stream of bubbles is produced in limited quantities. The Pol Roger Brut vintage is priced between 60 and 75 euros.
Pol Roger Pure is one of the newest additions added to the Pol Roger champagne production line. The Pol Roger Pure champagne has been created solely for the purpose of completing the Pol Roger champagne ranges. With Pol Roger Pure champagne offers a new sensation to champagne connoisseurs and enthistast alike. With this cuvée from Pol Roger champagne house you will be able to taste the champagne’s most natural state as it captures the spirit, diversity of terroirs of the famous French Champagne valley while providing you with the perfect balance combined from three grape varieties, which are all beautifully and equally blended in this exclusive Pol Roger Pure champagne bottle. Pol Roger Pure champagne is most known for its shining and dense golden color, which is accentuated with thousands of tiny bubbles. A bottle of Pol Roger Pure champagne is priced at around 55 €.
The Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs is exclusively made from Chardonnays. It wasn’t until the end of World War II that the famous French champagne house Pol Roger decided to start producing chardonnay. The name of this champagne, Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs, translates to ‘white from white’. The Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs champagne is produced in limited quantities, after that it is aged in one of the biggest wine cellars in France for 9 years, before they make their way to the store and into the comfort of your homes. The pale yellow color with a display of greenish golden glimmers of Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs champagne has a price of 80 € or less.
The Pol Roger Brut Rosé is based on Pol Roger Brut Vintage, which is combined from 60 % Pinot Noir and 40 % Chardonnay. The specialty of this Pol Roger champagne is that it goes through second fermentation before being bottled up. Pol Roger Brut Rosé champagne is made from the best Crus of the Montagne de Reims. Pol Roger Brut Rosé champagne will take you away with a tasteful flavours and an intense pink peppercorn color. Pol Roger Brut Rosé champagne is produced in limited quantities and it is aged for 7 years in the Pol Roger wine cellars before hitting the market, where it is priced at 75 € a bottle.
Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill is homage to one of the most prominent British historic figures of the 20th century. Sir Winston Churchill had a very serious “romantic” relationship with Pol Roger champagne, which began in 1908 at a party in Paris. After the passing of Sir Winston Churchill, the Pol Roger champagne house decided to pay a special tribute to the Brit, who loved their champagne so much he drank every drop of not one, but four Pol Roger vintages. It is estimated that Sir Winston Churchill drank around 42,000 bottles of Pol Roger champagne.
The Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill champagne is made from Pol Roger Prestige Cuvée, which is also known as one of the best cuvees from the French champagne house. The Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill champagne beautifully captures the true character of the man, who’s name is carried on by the Pol Roger champagne house, which are a full-bodied character, power, confidence and relative maturity. The exact blend of the Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill champagne is a closely guarded secret. The finest bubbles of Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill champagne are priced at 215 €, however, the price for the best vintage Pol Roger champagne bottle can set you back from anywhere up to 500 €.
A stroll down the Avenue de Champagne in Épernay is a stroll through humanity’s collective dream. The names glistening on the iron gates and graceful facades read like a who’s who of high culture, a conveyer belt of champagne producers who have provided an air of elegance to the celebratory tones of history. It takes a special something to stand out in a sea of excellence, but ‘a special something’ could well be taken as another way of describing Pol Roger, the champagne of royalty; quite literally, as Pol Roger’s Royal Warrant means it provides Her Majesty Elizabeth II with all the champagne.
The late Winston Churchill’s love affair with alcohol is well-documented, although the extent to which the famous Englishman actually drank borders more on the legendary than the legitimate. Still, his adoration for Pol Roger was no myth, a romance that began when the British Bulldog first drank Pol Roger champagne way back in 1908 and continues to this very day, in the form of Pol Roger’s famous Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill. Introduced in 1984, this unique Pol Roger champagne replaced the Pol Roger Special Reserve at the top of the range, an honour befitting one of modern Britain’s most dominant characters.
Churchill first tasted the magic of Pol Roger champagne in 1908, but it was a chance meeting at an Armistice Day party in Paris that saw the relationship evolve from personal one between a man and Pol Roger champagne to that of a de-facto brand ambassador. The City of Lights was finally free of brutal Nazi occupation, liberated after years of struggle, and Churchill was in town. Sir Winston was the guest of honour at a British Embassy party and was introduced to Odette Pol-Roger, the doyenne of this most famous Pol Roger champagne family, a striking beauty who had spent much of the war risking her life as a courier for the French Resistance. The two got on like the proverbial house on fire, Churchill’s famous oratory skills and love of the family vintage meshing smoothly with Odette’s wit and intangible charisma, beginning a platonic friendship that continued for the rest of Churchill’s life.
And what a life that was. The man tasked with defending Britain during World War II was thought to have drunk 42,000 bottles of Pol Roger in his lifetime, although as mentioned it is wise to take a pinch of salt with such claims. The number of drank bottles of Pol Roger itself isn’t so important as one can accurately say that Sir Winston imbibed more Pol Roger than most. Every birthday was marked by a case of the 1928 Pol Roger vintage, sent by Odette, who remained at the top of the guest list whenever Churchill was in Paris. Churchill actually managed to drink Pol Roger out of its 1928, thus moving on to the 1935 (then the 1945, and finally the 1947). It is said that once he tasted Pol Roger champagne, Churchill never drank any other champagne that wasn’t Pol Roger. Why would he want to drink anything other than Pol Roger champagne?
But even his beloved Pol Roger wasn’t safe from Churchill’s quirks. A busy schedule made convenience a selling point, itself leading to the development of a pint-sized Pol Roger bottle that could sit comfortably in the middle ground between desire and necessity. The Pol Roger half-bottles simply didn’t cover the requirements of a socially active Prime Minister, and Lady Churchill wasn’t about to countenance Winston’s interest in moving up to frequent full Pol Roger bottles. The Pol Roger pint-sized bottle became a happy compromise. The presence of Pol Roger and Sir Winston Churchill in each other’s lives also spread beyond visibility and pleasure; Churchill went on to name his champion racehorse Pol Roger after his beloved Pol Roger champagne.
Pol Roger is a major player in the champagne world. The Pol Roger cuvée Sir Winston Churchill sits at the top of the table, but this is a feast attended by a bevvy of fantastic drinks, ticking the ‘something for everybody’ box that is the hallmark of any self-respecting international brand. This is by no means a comprehensive list - no list should ever be comprehensive - but it is a glimpse into some of Pol Roger’s finest.
The definitive in-house Pol Roger, the non-vintage Pol Roger Brut Reserve has been a flag-bearer for the Pol Roger family since that flag was first flown. This is classic Pol Roger champagne, equal parts Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, providing body, lightness and freshness in spades. The nose of Pol Roger gives a hint of white flowers that juxtaposes deliciously with the initial nuttiness on the palate, giving way to suggestions of honey and stone fruits as time goes by. The Pol Roger Brut Reserve is good to go from purchase, but those willing to let it sit for a while will reap the rewards. As far as champagnes under €50 go, it doesn’t get much better than the Pol Roger Brut Reserve Non-Vintage.
Making Pol Roger vintage champagne is risky business. Sure, many household names are happy to throw the term out there with gay abandon, but not Pol Roger; credibility is vital in these parts. The 2012 Pol Roger season threw up the perfect conditions for a vintage (not without hurdles, of course, all expertly negotiated) and this limited quantity Pol Roger champagne is completely worthy of its lofty title. Balance is everything when it comes to true Pol Roger vintage, and no stone was left unturned in this Pol Roger production process. Expect the price to be anywhere between €60 and €75 for this Pol Roger.
The Pol Roger champagne carousel never stops turning and Pol Roger isn’t about to get left behind. The Pol Roger Pure Extra Brut is the latest addition to the production line, dense golden champagne full of life and the confidence of relative youth. A clean taste of Pol Roger gives way to an impressive length, as cloves and rose combine with spectacular results. A bottle of this Pol Roger fresh fancy will set you back for the price around €55, on average.
It took a long while for the Pol Roger family to come round to the idea of a chardonnay. Old Maurice famously referred to it as la flotte (water), and it wasn’t until the post-World War II era that Pol Roger started taking this most delicate of beverages seriously. It was a case of good things coming to those who wait, and the Blanc de Blancs (‘white from white’) is an honest grasp for that dream Pol Roger champagne, hints of butterscotch bleeding out of the shimmering bubbles before presenting apricot, peaches and more. The axiom ‘traditional yet modern’ is arguably the most flogged of all gastronomy’s dead horses, but it sums up the heart and soul of this prized creation. The use of the word ‘prized’ is no coincidence, as expecting to pay the price of any less than €80 for a bottle of Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs is misguided at best.
What do you expect from a fine rosé? A thrilling combination of flavours on the palate, of course, but you should also demand a clear structure to reveal itself upon making its acquaintance with those most eager buds. Pol Roger’s Rosé steps up to the plate and then some, its rich basket of pale raspberry and fine copper providing a depth and luxury that Pol Roger is famous for. The Pol Roger rosé shines brightest alongside fish dishes and fruit desserts (not at the same time, obviously), and the price of this Pol Roger stops around €75 a bottle.
Which brings us back to where we began, with the fabled relationship between Pol Roger and Sir Winston Churchill. This is the top of the Pol Roger table, the best of the best from a family brand that has built its reputation on the word ‘best’. The wine was created as a tribute to Pol Roger’s most famous (and biggest) fan, a beverage intricately tailored to the characteristics of the man himself, exhibiting power and confidence through the nose and on the palate, a captivating dance that unfolds over time. A slow fermentation process produces the finest bubbles, the best wines put to the test in a cepage that remains a closely-guarded family secret. Available by the bottle beginning at the price of €215, the cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is best enjoyed in magnum form, although expect to part way with the better part of €500 for the privilege, and believe us, it is a privilege.
You can buy Pol Roger from WeVino of course! There is a range of Pol Roger bottles available from our online shop, ranging from the relatively inexpensive Pol Roger non-vintages all the way up to that most magnificent Pol Roger of wines the cuvée Sir Winston Churchill. Sales aren’t infrequent, meaning there really is no excuse not to pick up some seriously good Pol Roger to take pride of place in your cellar.
As you can see, the price of a bottle of Pol Roger covers quite a lot of ground, but such variables are always to be expected in the modern world. Gone are the days of brands focusing solely on high or low end products, although you’d be hard-pushed to use the latter to describe anything put out by Pol Roger. Let’s go with less to more expensive, that seems more respectful. As outlined above, Pol Roger bottles in the €50 region can be found, while those looking to embrace their inner-Winston Churchill and crack open a bottle of Pol Roger’s finest will be spending well into three figures.
Sir Winston Churchill will be far from your mind as you settle into the magenta skies of early morning Épernay. France’s famous champagne port is a bustling maze of narrow streets and vintage exuberance, but it is in the verdant vineyards that the commune comes alive. It was in these dignified surroundings that Pol Roger was born, both the man and the champagne. The eponymous Pol Roger creator of the beloved beverage was just 18 years old when he made his first sale of wine to a merchant in nearby Aÿ, a transaction that took place in 1849. Pol Roger’s initial hope of following his father into the business of law was curtailed by a serious illness that enveloped his father, leaving the young man with the prospect of having to establish a business of his own. Wine was the answer.
That first sale for Pol Roger came in 1849, but by 1853 things were moving in earnest. From the very beginning, Pol Roger tried to tailor his creations to the English market, focusing on drier champagnes and showcasing a shrew business mind in the process. Pol passed away from pneumonia in 1899, but his two sons were ready to take Pol Roger Champagne to the next level.
Things couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start. Less than a year into their tenure the Pol Roger cellars collapsed, destroying more than half a million Pol Roger bottles in the process. Such a tragedy would destroy a less determined outfit but the Pol Roger family was not to be stopped, and a mixture of courage and community love helped the legacy of Pol Roger to continue. ‘Pol Roger’ became the official name of the champagne in 1900 when the Pol Roger boys legally changed their surname to ‘Pol-Roger’, and both found themselves sewn into the intricate fabric of Épernay society.
The 20th century was one of the most tumultuous in human history, but it was going to take more than the various events of the globe to stop the momentum of Pol-Roger. International celebrity was forthcoming, a growing reputation that managed to survive prohibition, the Russian Revolution, two World Wars and all the rest, as the creation of an 18-year-old prodigy became a name synonymous with everything that is great about Pol Roger champagne; the pomp and circumstance, the elegance, the luxury and above all the taste.
These traditions continue well into the 21st century. Pol Roger Champagne has largely managed to hold back from throwing itself into the world of tourism, focusing instead on producing quality champagnes that do all the talking. As such, a visit to what Churchill deemed the ‘most drinkable address in the world’ is only possible for those on the inside, unless you happen to be an iconic 20th century British Prime Minister. Churchill himself never made the journey to Épernay, although he did more than most to make this famous Pol Roger drink an even more famous institution.
Humanity’s relationship with champagne is a curious one, a love affair built on the perception of glitz and glamour that often belies the inherent down to earth (literally) nature of its production. Churchill famously called it the ‘wine of civilisation and the oil of government’. When it came to Pol Roger, he knew better than most.
Written by John Bills, The Slovenia
“The wines are outstanding quality, from simple Bordeaux to cru classe.”
]]>From tastings at his wine bar in Hong Kong, James Suckling put out his 1st scores, of which the best awards were given to vintages from 2018 (including 3 that received 100pt scores!). However, several large brands were absent, so perfection may not be here yet.
He gave compliments to the 2019 vintages when compared to 2018, but said they had “less exuberance and plushness in fruit and tannins”, and “the wines seem more typical for Bordeaux – which is a good thing”.
Suckling conversed with winemakers who told him the 2019 wines were comparable to the wonderful vintages of 2010, “but without the austerity and intensity”.
The biggest issue now seems to be figuring out when the vintages will be released, and at what cost. The makers and sellers that Suckling heard from in Bordeaux told him “they will release prices for wines in June and all agreed that prices have to come down […] from about 10 percent to 40 percent”.
With future wines coming out in these extraordinary times, Suckling said “the market will indeed decide if now is the time to buy 2019 en primeur when the wines begin selling in a few weeks”.
Elena Walch is a leading Alto Adige wine estate, in family hands, and belongs to the elite in Italian wine production, with international success.
Elena Walch is an internationally successful, family owned, Alto Adige wine estate. They are one of the top producers in Italian wines.
As a leader in innovative concepts and quality, Elena has been widely praised for her efforts. Originally an architect, she married into one of the best known wine families in the area and added her own ideas into the old traditions. Now the family business is being run by her daughters as the 5th generation of wine producers.
The ideology the estate follows is that of sustainability for the following generations while maintaining their wines as unique to their local climate, specific soil and methods of cultivating among their 60 hectares of vineyards, including the 2 biggest in Alto Adige; Caldaro's VIGNA Castel Ringberg and Tramin's VIGNA Kastelaz.
These professional, elegant wines reflect their excellent surroundings and locale that produces the freshest and fruitiest of wine wines and red wine that is smooth and concentrated.
Sustainability was introduced a number of years ago as a gradual learning process throughout the company and changes as it adapts to what is best for the next generation, rather than just following a specific set of rules.
Elena Walch, as a company, strives to be environmentally friendly by using good, sustainable ideas, while also maintaining the utmost in quality for their award-winning wines.
To this end they have implemented the following...
- Composts in Castel Ringberg
- Ending the use of herbicides to better maintain the soil
- Ameliorate root space & ensuring better fertile soil by seeding legumes and grass milling.
- Mulching the yards to enhance nutrients in the soil.
- Following ecologically friendly rules to battle infections.
- Significantly lowering the use of substances.
- Specific use of protection, when needed.
- Continuously monitoring water usage & exclusively using drip-irrigation.
- Alternate mowing to be less intrusive to the environment of helpful insects.
- Improved methods for battling grape moths.
- Monitor infection & weather conditions to ensure better vineyards and adopting methods to deal quickly with problems that may arise.
= Pulling leaves from the vine for improved air circulation which reduces the risks for diseases.
- Cultivating of "Bronner“, the disease-resistant PIWI type of white wine.
ElENA WALCH SUSTAINABLE CELLAR USAGE
- Solar power used for almost half of all electic needs.
- Water needs cut in half with the cooling water recycled for irrigation & cleaning.
- Using gravity, rather than pumps, due to the hill above the cellars.
- Natural cooling and, therefore, less energy consumed, due to the cellar location far under the surface.
- Partial use of more natural corks with less added substances.
- Some use of plant based, fully recycled capsules.
- Less heavy glass used for “Selezione” wines for improved carbon-dioxide balancing.
- The creation of gift packages without glue.
- The law now requires bottle lot numbers to be traceable back to the original vineyard.
Domaine Leflaive is the most prominent name in Puligny-Montrachet, and arguably the most famous white Burgundy producer.
Probably the most well-knowned of the white burgundy producers is Domaine Leflaive. This domain can be traced back as far as 1717, but it's founding has largely been attributed to Joseph (1870-1953), who was one of the engineers working on the 1st French submarine. As a married man, however, he followed a different path by taking charge of the family vineyard in Puligny-Montrachet. He and the estate manger replanted in 1920, after the phylloxera outbreak, and eventually were able to start selling their wine to private individuals using the Leflaive name.
Many years later 2 of Joseph's sons took over, and then his grand-daughter, Anne-Claude, who became a pioneering figure in biodynamic viticulture with the family vineyard leading the way and converting totally to biodynamic by the late 1990's.
Recently the family business has been run by Joseph’s great grandson & Anne-Claude’s nephew, who have been expanding into other areas, including several HA in Mâconnais and another vineyard started in Hautes Côtes de Beaune.
In 2009 the Leflaive wines were responsible for more than 50% of sales for white burgundy. Today the demand for white burgundy's have increased by almost 4x and the Leflaive name is on about 30% of those sales.
Their current most popular wines are the Chevalier Montrachet, Batard Montrachet & Puligny Montrachet Clavoillon. Among vintages, the 2017 was the leader, but 2014/15 are gaining trade ground.
The Leflaive index has outdone the white Burgundy's pricing in the short/mid term and has risen by over 50% over the past few years, as opposed to the white burgundy's 25%. In 2016-18, though, they fell behind Burgundy 150, which had gained over 70% due to the price increases of popular brands, like DRC & Armand Rousseau, but last year the tables turned and Leflaive finally even surpassed that.
But tables have turned in the past year, with Leflaive (6.5%) outperforming the Burgundy 150 (-7.2%) too.
The Leflaive family vineyards have been enticing buyers for 100's of years due to their critically acclaimed product and performance, and will likely due so for each century to come.
Global online sales of wines have increased dramatically lately; similar to the normal holiday period rise in sales. Buyers from the European Union, Asia & the USA are enjoying a bit cheaper prices due to current currency values.
Burgundy's & Bordeaux fell in trade during the week while market share went to Champagne & Italy. Moet & Chandon, Dom Perignon 2008 stood in the lead for the 2nd week.
Super Tuscans Sassicaia 2017 scored lower than Ornellaia 2016, which out priced the 2017, even though the 2017 has declined in price since its debut and now is comparable to the 2011/14 vintages.
At £1,800, Ornellaia 2016 once stood as the highest priced vintage, but now with the price in decline it represents a better value.
Yineyards are now monitored via satellite and on-ground tech by using images throughout the season using the services of Saturnalia, and its algorithms.
Among concerns related to wine disruptions during these difficult times, Liv-ex has continued to fill global trades and normal pricing protocols.
The predominate leader, Bordeaux, has dropped to half so far in 2020 and now the most popular trading is among the vintages of 2009/10 & 2016.
Burgundy's, which traditionally benefit from any drop in Bordeaux movement, have also been falling, down 2.4% over last year. Performances in pricing have also declined, with Burgundy 150 down 2.5%, as well as slight drops with Champagne & the Rhone prices.
However, in general, trades in wine from Italy has been rising with the value incrasing 4% over last year and prices increasing slightly.
Globally the wine trade shares have doubled to 10% so far this year with Australia, Germany & Spain each at 1% (3% total) and the U.S. at just over 5 percent, which has brought the RoW (Rest of World) category to a new high. Regionally, the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons have led the most actives.
Owner: Sichel and Mahler-Besse families
1855 Classification: Third Growth
The Liv-ex Classification 2019: Second Tier
Vineyard area: 66 ha
Colour: Red
Grape varieties planted: 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot
Other wines: Alter Ego Palmer
In the early 1800's, General Charles Palmer, on a stagecoach coming back from the Battle of Toulouse, met the widow Marie de Gascq and purchased land from her, which became the birth of Chateau Palmer, one of the best known of the Bordeaux estates.
Palmer went on to London to promote his Claret, but eventually his aggressive expansion of his vinyard to 163ha became too much and by 1843 his financial situation, as well as his marriage, had fallen apart. The estate ended up being sold, but with the name intact.
The French bankers, Isaac & Emile Perreire, took ownership in 1853. Their wealth allowed them to improve the property, which eventually led to Palmer wine being hailed among the best in Margaux. This came to an end in 1938 when war, the depression and diseases led to the vineyard being sold yet again.
However, in the last couple of generations there have been significant efforts made to reclaim Palmer's place among the leaders in Bordeaux estates. It was bought by 4 well-known Bordeaux families and 2 of those still run it today, headed by wine-maker Thomas Duroux.
The Palmer Index during the past decade has largely followed the parent index (Left Bank 200), but less volatile, and since 2014 rose 89%. The Left Bank 200, on the other hand went up 74% since 2009.
The steady increase has mostly slowed this year with the exception of the En Primeur campaign that gained renewed enthusiasm for Palmer again. The 2018 Palmer vintage outperformed all the other vintages from that estate and the small product run, combined with the praises of many critics, made it greatly sought after and a noted sell out.
The highest cost among the physical vintages are known along Bordeaux as “on-vintages”, with the years 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015 & 2016 all scoring 97 points or more.
Due to recent events forcing people indoors, wine consumers are now shopping online more, as stores experience empty racks while trying to keep up with the demand. Some internet-based retailers have had to postpone orders just to catch-up to the sales volume. Any supplier who can keep up with the demand is enjoying an unprecedented sales spike!
The marketplace for wholesale fine wines is equally boosted by these wordwide events, with increases in trade & values, but at lowered prices in some cases. Dom Perignon 2008 has been among the most traded.
Champagne usually does well during times of trouble, including being Churchill’s favorite during WW2. The Liv-ex Champagne 50 shows this, as it stayed strong during the financial breakdown of 2008/09 and market drop of 2011/14. Against the volatile nature of other products during these difficult times, Champagne remains strong.
It has been suggested that, in light of recent events, that the 2019 vintage should not be released until perhaps April or May of 2021. While many are opposed to this, it has already been postponed this year and is unlikely to be tasted anytime soon this summer. Read Rupert Millar's point of view HERE.
These are trying times for the trades in fine wines, but Live-Ex has posted a few ways to make the best of a bad situation HERE.
Bordeaux expert, Gavin Quinney, says that primeurs, while only a small part of the overall output, can tell us a great deal about Bordeaux's, as a whole.
Quinney remarks that, after looking at yearly output extensively, he concludes that the 2019 output will likely be less than the previous decade average from 2009-2018; close to 2018, a bit higher than 2017, but lower than 2016.
2019 produced 486,300,000L, just a bit less than 2018's 498,600,000L
While 2019 is near the decade average, that previous 10-year span also saw 2 lower than average crop yields (2013 & 2017) and the ten years before that was actually higher yielding, but mostly due to a larger crop area.
Most of what was produced in 2019 came from red varieties (89%), while only 11% was from white. From those reds came mostly Merlot (66%), then Cabernet Sauvignon at 22%, Cabernet Franc at 9%, and the last small amount was among Petit Verdot, Malbec & a tiny fraction of Carmenère. The whites are divided equally among Sauvignon Blanc & Sémillon (46% each), followed by a small percent of Muscadelle and then tiny fractions of everything else.
From the red grapes there was rosé, at just under 5%, and also dry whites were just under 10%, with sweet whites produced at 1.2%
Yielding good results in the best Bordeaux appellations
While the 2019 production year was close to 2018, the yield was better in the 7 best areas, up from the 2 prior vintages.
After the problems from 2018 (mildew threat) & 2017 (frost), Pomerol, Margaux & Pessac-Léognan rebounded in 2019 to the previous 2016 levels. Saint-Estèphe & Saint-Julien mostly avoided the 2017 frosts and continue their successes, while Pauillac have recovered from the part of their crop hit by mildew in 2018.
These areas have a high vine density, at 6k-10k vines per ha (hectare), which equals to 1 bottle per vine for an area with 6,000 plants per ha. A similar yield would only make 2/3 a bottle in a more dense area, such as Saint-Julien.
Poor weather for flowering
While the risk of mildew was down in 2019, the cold weather and rains affected the June flowering for any vineyard in an area not as fortunate as the 7 best, thus lowering their yields. Then a drought in summertime caused a smaller berry that produced not as much juices in those places hardest hit.
The average appellations have 3,000-4,000 vines per ha for normal AOP Bordeaux, while it can go up to 6000 for an area like Côtes de Bordeaux.
Refer to the chart below to see where 650,000,000 bottles originate from...
As much as 30% is Bordeaux rouge, with most coming from the land in-between the Garonne & Dordogne rivers called Entre Deux Mers, which is exclusively a 'white only' appellation.
The Haut-Médoc & Saint-Julien appellations have continued great yields, especially when compared to the 2017 'Right-Bank'.
The greenish circles on the map show where most of the dry white vineyards are, but it is not a full representation.
So, the 2019 Bordeaux vintage yielded great results for the best appellations and OK for the others. That's a great deal of wine that needs to be consumed, and at prices to match every budget!
The recently released "Piedmontese" wines from the 2016 vintage are making critics rave of their exceptional quality.
Renowned writer of fine wines, Victoria M., went to the area earlier in the year, before the Covid related restrictions, and the article she wrote about her visit was published in Luxury magazine's March edition. Even though Italy was hit hard by the virus throughout the country, and continues to struggle, the 2016 vintage Barolo was not affected by any of the chaos and is still being released this year, but likely with some wait times on the shipments.
The Release Of The 2009 Pol Roger, Sir Winston Churchill
At 3% less than when the 2008 vintage was released, the 2009 is the 18th vintage that has been available since it's initial release date of 1975, as the maker, Pol Roger, only releases it during the best years. When launched this year their director, Hubert de Billy, claimed that 2008 was a collector vintage, but 2009 is the drinker's vintage!
The Sir Winston Churchill prices are not in line with the critic's scoring, as the value of a vintage increases as it gets older, except for 2008, which is currently the highest price of the past 20 years. Therefore, buyers can see the value in its quality relative to the high cost.
In 2019 the vintage from 2008 went up 28.5% on the very 1st trading day, but was still at a lower cost compared to vintages from 1998 and previous years. As we wait for scores on the 2009 vintage, the markets wait to see where it goes as well.
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The Release of Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904, 2011
Only increased less than 10% of the release from 2010, the 2011 is only the 8th vintage in a half century to be given an excellent rating by the Rioja Wine Board. Antonio Galloni called it a mix of 2009 & 2010 in quality.
Coming at a slight higher cost than the 2009/10, the trading of 2011 Rioja Alta 904 is still greatly discounted compared to older wines.
It was the fifth most actively wine traded from Spain in 2019 and the 2010 is the highest trade among Spanish wines this year with almost one quarter of the trades for the region so far.
Global equities have taken a severe hit this past week as Covid-19 has continued to spread globally. With every small piece of fresh news adding to the uncertainty, finding calm waters has been challenge. But as you can see in the chart above, fine wine has been almost boringly stable.
With a low correlation to equity markets, fine wine moves at a glacial pace and is generally influenced by two long term economic fundamentals – namely supply and demand. Over the past three months, wine prices have drifted, due to factors both internal (wine tariffs) and external (Covid-19), but there has been scant evidence of panic selling. Indeed, long term buyers are emerging to hunt for any bargains that might appear.
Trade volumes have remained steady but Bordeaux (57.3%) has seen its share of trade grow, taking over 50% for the first time since late January. 2016 has recently been the most traded vintage for Bordeaux but this week was led by the great vintages of 2010, 2009, and 2005.
Burgundy (12.2%), Champagne (5.3%), Italy (12.3%) and the USA’s (3.5%) shares of trade all drifted from the week prior.
Rhone (2.5%) maintained its share while the Others category (6.9%) was led by Germany, where decent volumes of topflight Riesling producer, Weingut Keller, changed hands.
Giacomo Conterno, Barolo Riserva Monfortino 2013, was not only the top traded wine of the week but is also the top traded wine year to date. Antonio Galloni recently awarded it 99 points saying, “readers will find a biting, vibrant Monfortino built along super classic lines that includes vintages like 1996 and 1999”. The 2013 sits comfortably between the 100-point 2010 and 97-point 2008.