Côtes de Meuse is the PGI title given to wines produced in parts of the Meuse department in Northeast France. Although the region is situated between the famous vineyards of Champagne and Alsace, the vineyards of the Meuse produce only a tiny amount of wine, mainly from Burgundian Grape varieties such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Auxerrois. The Meuse Lies on the border of Belgium and Luxembourg, at the high latitude of 49 degrees north, and therefore has a cool continental Climate with cold winters and Warm - not hot - summers. Côtes de Meuse growers exploit the region's hilly topography for viticulture, and the vineyards tend to occupy the South and east facing slopes around the river.
Here, optimal exposure to the sun favours the ripening process, and the hills provide shelter from the cold, rainy northwest winds. The clay-limestone soils have sufficient water holding capacity to keep the vines hydrated throughout the growing season, although the natural slope of the vines helps to Drain excess water, keeping the vines from flooding and limiting excessive vigor. The northern location of the Côtes de Meuse vineyards means that the growing season is fairly Short and early varieties are therefore favoured. Fresh and simple white wines are made from Auxerrois and Chardonnay, while Pinot Noir and Gamay are used in the light and fruity reds.
When I have some time to myself in the southern Rhône, my favourite place to relax is the peaceful village of Gigondas. I had even more reason to visit this June, as the growers’ syndicate was celebrating the 50th anniversary of the appellation. Over a meal at Domaine du Clos des Tourelles, we had the opportunity to taste wines spanning five decades, including a remarkable 1971 that was still very much alive and kicking. Gigondas has long been recognised as an exceptional site for winemaking, bu ...
Following a recent modification of EU rules, member states are now allowed to employ resistant varieties in the production of wines with protected denominations of origin (PDO). The decision, published last week in the Official Journal of the European Union, is part of a wider revision of previous regulations that established common quality schemes, organisation of the market, definitions, descriptions, presentations, and labelling of European agricultural products and foodstuffs. Before the ann ...
Prices have been rising on California fine wines, and especially Screaming Eagle, said Liv-ex this week. Its California 50 index, which tracks the price performance of Screaming Eagle, Harlan Estate, Dominus, Opus One and Ridge Monte Bello, has increased by around 32% in the last year. ‘High quality and heightened demand have led to rising prices,’ said Liv-ex, a global marketplace for the trade. Its figures provide more evidence of a strong 12 months for the fine wine market in general, and fol ...
