Offers for the 1995 Bordeaux indent are currently in circulation. Given that the wines are still in barrel, it is difficult to get an Australian perception of them, but reaction from commentators in the UK and USA suggest that the season is at the very least, excellent. Barsac and Sauternes, especially, appear have produced some first-class wines. What to expect from 1995 in Italy North East Verona’s vintage was small, of high quality, especially for reds. Although overall production was down by 25% on 1994, excellent conditions at the end of harvest with dry days and cool nights helped fashion fine traditional ‘amarone’ styles. Of the north-eastern whites, the later ripening Italian white varieties did better those from France and Germany. Look for good garganega (Soave), trebbiano (Lugana) ribolla and verduzzo (Friuli) and nosiola (Trentino). Piemonte Poor flowering, exacerbated by hail damage in early August led to a small crop. Those who harvested late benefited greatly from October sunshine with nebbiolo, while if barbera was picked really late, it performed wonderfully as well. Early reds such as dolcetto had tougher time, resulting in high acids and light colours, comparable to the wines of 1991. Importer of Italian wine, Michael Trembath, says that with Piemonte wines facing huge demand from Switzerland, Germany and the USA, the best current buys in nebbiolo appear to be from the deliciously traditional Barbarescos of 1993. Tuscany A sensational vintage in 1995, especially for those who held their nerve and picked their Brunello really late in October. A great year throughout Chianti Classico, which people are talking about in the same breath as 1990. While the wines may not the opulent fruit richness of that year, they are likely to be more classical. Honest, local opinion If your travel itinerary includes Madrid and you’re interested in a restaurant guide with a difference, consider En boca de todos (On Everybody’s Lips), which quotes local non-trade opinion on 700 restaurants of all sizes and styles. This new book, which could inspire a global trend, includes comments such as: ‘Whatever you do, don’t ask for a sirloin steak. It’s terrible.’ Order from RST Publishers; Lagasca, 102; 28006 Madrid. Tel 34-1-578 01 36, Fax 34-1-575 02 25. Stray Men from La Mancha Spain’s massive La Mancha wine region, responsible for around half of Spain’s entire production, is slowly beginning to reveal its true potential, although some of its more innovative new producers are choosing to stay outside its regulatory framework. Carlos Falco, Marques de Grioon, an agronomist, has shunned the region’s traditional varieties of airen (white), cencibel (known elsewhere in Spain as tempranillo) and garnacha (grenache), both red. Owner of estates in several Spanish regions, he opts for cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, saying that innovative entrepreneurs work better unhindered by regulations. Italy, he says, has over 120 Denominations of Origin, none of which cover its best wines. Blushing Bordeaux Trends are reversing in Bordeaux again towards the production of pink wines, sold as ‘rose’ and ‘clairet’ from cabernet sauvignon and merlot. The area designated for these wines has increased from 1,043 ha in 1990 to 1719 ha in 1995. Both are made with the ‘saignee’ method of bleeding off free-run red juice after a short skin maceration. Made the same way, the clairets must contain three times the colour density of the roses and are more likely the result of warmer years. Generally two-thirds of production is rose, but in years like 1993 the situation was reversed. World Wine consumption Up Wine consumption is up by over 2% in non-wine producing countries such as Denmark and Great Britain. 30 years ago the British drank only 2 litres per capita per year, while today they drink over 12 litres. Sales of wine in the US rose by over 2% last year, with 40% being red, as the message gets through that by drinking the stuff in moderation, you are likely to live longer. How the French Hurt Themselves Reaction to the French nuclear testing programme saw wine sales to Denmark drop by 20% and to The Netherlands, Sweden and Finland by 13%. The boycott cost the French wine and spirits industry 700 million francs ($A170 million). Diary Date: Vinexpo, Bordeaux. 16-20 June, 1997.
