Grand Vin Wine Merchants UK | Blog

Saint Emilion 2012 – why classify? Saint Emilion, in spirit at least, is far removed from the flat expanses and grand Châteaux of the Médoc. This hilly, sacred town is stirringly picturesque, with an ancient tradition of vines and winemaking. Today, both the town and its vineyards are a UNESCO world heritage site. There is a sense of a back story as you walk around Saint Emilion, which you don't need to be a wine nerd to feel. Religious significance, concentrated architectural interest and the eyrie views of vineyards combine to make this bit of Bordeaux more romantic than its left bank cousins. Today, Saint Emilion is famed as a source of the Right Bank's greatest wines, as renowned as the best of the Left Bank Médoc. Not so long ago, however, it was a bit of a vinous back-water. It is further from the major ports than the Médoc, and also from the tempering influence of the sea. Summer is warmer, but more abrupt. Merlot and Cabernet Franc dominate. Soils are very significa...

Italians (especially Tuscans) will tell you that the Tuscan dialect is the purest form of Italian. The Super Tuscan wine story is perhaps the purest expression of the journey that Italian wine has taken these past five decades. Tuscany is a place of poets and aristocrats. This once-feudal region is characterised by large and established estates, their hills topped with cypress and ravishing old castelli. The climate is broadly Mediterranean, with hot, sunny summers and occasionally abrupt autumns. Tuscany is known for its poor soils and quite considerable hills: the best vineyards are on slopes at altitudes of 150 metres and above. Reds, whites and sweeties are all made. There is an ancient winemaking tradition here, with many native varieties and long-established vineyards. The region’s singular character, importance and influence in wine terms is reflected in this venerable history and the established awareness of both the region, and its classic wines. Sang...