Focus

  • 31 AUGUST 2009 Focus on 149th Hospices de Beaune Charity Wine Auction The Hospices de Beaune is the result of more than six centuries of history. Founded with the aims of healing the sick and comforting the destitute, the hospital has never ceased to develop, thanks, in large part, to numerous benefactors who have enabled the Domaine to grow, thanks to their gifts of vineyards. The funds collected at the Hospices de Beaune wine auctions are entirely destined for the institution’s charities. CATEGORY: WINE
  • 31 AUGUST 2009 A Run Up a Fabled Burgundy Hill From the wall outside the tiny vineyard of Montrachet, known as Le Montrachet on the Chassagne side, I could look back down to the village surrounded by the most sought after Chardonnay grapes in the world (apologies to Napa and Martinborough). CATEGORY: WINE
  • 27 AUGUST 2009 A Night to Remember: A Fabulous Collection – and a Fabulous Dinner During recent weeks, a team of specialists from the Wine department in London has been making a number of visits to a cellar in Holland. The collection numbers around 50,000 bottles and contains all the greats – Bordeaux, Rhone, Alsace, Germany, Australia and many other iconic New World classics. CATEGORY: WINE
  • 1 JUNE 2009 A Musar Masterclass Christie’s Wine Specialist, Trim Triptee attends a tasting masterclass directed by Serge Hochar, the mastermind behind the classic fine wine from Lebanon - Château Musar. CATEGORY: WINE
  • 1 JUNE 2009 A Tasting with Raymond Blanc Christie’s Senior Wine Specialist, Carolyn Holmes, visits the renowned Michelin starred restaurant at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, deep in the Oxfordshire countryside and recounts one of her best food and wine experiences with M. Raymond Blanc. CATEGORY: WINE
  • 1 MAY 2009 Focus on Bollinger, Grande Année - Top Fizz The last remaining independent Champagne house, Bollinger comprises over 150 hectares of vineyards. Founded in 1829 by Jacques Bollinger and two friends, the estate has been run by members of the Bollinger family ever since. CATEGORY: WINE
  • 1 MAY 2009 Focus on Château d’Yquem – Wearing The Crown Proudly situated at the top of the hilly commune of Sauternes, Château d’Yquem produces the most famous dessert wine in the whole of Bordeaux, the famous winemaking province in the southwestern France. CATEGORY: WINE
  • 1 MAY 2009 Focus on Louis Roederer’s Millennium Cristal To celebrate the millennium, Louis Roederer produced 2000 six-litre bottles of its top cuvée, Cristal, from the excellent 1990 vintage. Almost 10 years later, the number of these bottles still in existence must be small. CATEGORY: WINE
  • 20 APRIL 2009 Focus on Large Formats Michael Ganne, Christie’s Wine Specialist, discusses the reasons wine connoisseurs love large format bottles - rarity; better aging potential; and resistance to temperature fluctuations. And there is nothing like bringing out an impressive, large bottle at a notable celebration or a great occasion. CATEGORY: WINE
  • 20 APRIL 2009 Focus on the Importance of Provenance David Elswood, International Wine Department Head discusses the importance of provenance and the significance ‘Case History’ when buying wine at auction. Perfect provenance of any valuable object increases desirability. This applies to wine as much, and maybe even more, as it does to any artwork or object. CATEGORY: WINE
  • 19 APRIL 2009 Focus on Domaine Leroy Amanda Crawford, Christie’s Wine Specialist, visits the Burgandy estate of Madame Lalou Bize-Leroy and discusses the rigourous and trendsetting methods of farming and pruning that she employs to produce the unique wines of Domaine Leroy, which reflect both the terrior of the land and the personality of the maker. CATEGORY: WINE
  • 19 MARCH 2009 Focus on the Changing Face of Burgundy Burgundy, in terms of viticulture and vinification has changed significantly over the last few decades, however the wines have retained their charm, seductiveness, diversity and mystery, which keeps wine lovers fascinated and intrigued. CATEGORY: WINE
  • 19 MARCH 2009 Focus on the Wines of Bordeaux Among the red wines of the Bordeaux region, the most basic division is between the wines of the “Left Bank” and the wines of the “Right Bank” and there has long been a rivalry between these two districts. CATEGORY: WINE
  • 19 MARCH 2009 Focus on Whiskey Whether you prefer Scotch whiskey or American whiskey, there is a world of whiskey that waits to be tasted. CATEGORY: WINE
  • NOVEMBER 2008 Focus on Madeira from the Funchal Cellar of William Leacock The history and development of Madeira wines over the last 500 years are inextricably linked with England. Numerous references to Madeira and Malmsey specifically are to be found in the manuscripts of William Shakespeare dating from the latter part of the 16th century… CATEGORY: WINE