Monthly Archives: July 2011

Newsletter July 2011, Vol. IV  No.VII

Wine Around The World

A friend of mine Skyped me out of the blue the other day. She sounded a bit tired and distant and for good reason. She had just gotten off a plane and had dinner with colleagues after traveling all day to China.  She lives in Burgundy, France, where she works for a company that produces oak barrels for the wine industry. It is her job to sell them to wine producers all over the world. “What on earth are you doing in China?” I asked her.  As it turns out, this has been her second trip to Asia just this year and China is becoming a serious player in the wine-producing realm. After China she is headed to India for 2 weeks to meet with winemakers there and develop custom barrels for the wines they are producing.

China and India producing wine, hmm.  Why not? I mean culturally and traditionally speaking, neither of these countries ever consumed wine (not entirely true of India, as the Persians introduced wine to the region in 45 B.C., but after independence India went as far as to ban alcohol in their constitution), but the wine industry is growing and it is growing thanks to the embrace of certain aspects of western culture by Asian countries.  It makes me think of Friedman’s book, “The World is Flat”, perhaps a little globalization is in effect.

To be fair, the first sake brewery I ever visited was in California, the second was in Oregon. As the world welcomes globalization, vineyards in Shandong Province in northeastern China will be the norm. Wine Spectator will be rating wines from Punjab and comparing them with those from France.  Personally, I think that is great.  More interesting regions for wine to be produced means more discoveries for wine geeks like me and you to.  While it may be a while before we start bringing in wines from Asia it is very satisfying to see the success of some new wine regions we have introduced to the island.  Stay tuned, there is a lot more on the way.

A little note on Champagne

We have been doing a lot of bubbly drinking lately.  Our friend, Nikki, over at Bermuda Bride instigated it as it is wedding season and everyone wants to know what the best bubbly is. Enter Armand de Brignac (Ace of Spades as it is known, undisputedly the most expensive Champagne on the market), Krug Grande Cuvée and Deutz 1998 Blanc de Blanc Brut.  All very yummy, however one clear winner. We don’t sell it but we have to give props where props are due – Krug is amazing. Absolutely the finest Champagne on the market. Period.  Want to hear me rant on the subject?  Check out our blog.

www.discoverywinesofbermuda.blogspot.com/