Bulletin d’Info
Three interesting articles involving France and its storied wines are on our radar this week.
First, Decanter.com reports that a bottle of 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay — the winner in the famous “Judgment of Paris” wine tasting of 1976 — has hit the auction block for a great cause, the Haitian charity “Friends of the Orphans.” Aside from a few bottles left in the winemaker’s cellar, and one bottle archived at the Smithsonian, it’s not known just how much remains in the world of this seminal wine. Bon chance to those bidding!
On the other side of the world, French politicians are working with partners in China to develop a “wine embassy” for educating the Chinese public. In addition to providing information on French denominations and winemaking regions, the founders hope to stem the recent uptick in the counterfeiting of French wines that has tarnished the reputation of some famous vintages. One question left unanswered in the article: Might the Ambassador of Champagne and Port consider the job?
Finally, the southern AOC of Languedoc — known until now for its seriously lackluster wines — hopes to raise its reputation with a new generation of vines planted not on the plains, but on its beautiful hills overlooking the Mediterranean. Andrew Jefford of FinancialTimes.com even posits that within a few decades these reds might contend with the best from Cote Rotie and Chateauneuf du Pape. Mon Dieu, pass the cassoulet and raise a toast to the end of the “wine lake“!
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