Talking Wine – January 2017

Our UK based suppliers have been very quick to pass on ‘interim price increases’ to us in the wake of the Brexit inspired exchange rate issues and of course anything we have shipped since May will have cost us considerably more by the time we have paid the bills. This will undoubtedly force up prices although we have absorbed almost everything so far and have yet to pass on any price increases to our customers. Interestingly I note that these suppliers were not so quick to reduce prices when they enjoyed the much better rates than anticipated pre Brexit. As the ratio creeps back up (as I write it is 1.18 euros to the pound) I wonder if there will be a reversal of the interim increase? I don’t think I need to spell out the answer! Of course the majority of faster moving lines are shipped in directly and I won’t pretend that it hasn’t hurt a little – but we keep smiling!

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who have announced that they have started divorce proceedings are likely to put their wine property in Provence, Chateau Miraval, on the market. A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Rolle, their rosé wine made an immediate impact after the Chateau was purchased in 2011. The winemaker is Marc Perrin, owner of the famous Chateau Beaucastel in the Rhone and the 2016 vintage will be released despite doubts about the future. They also make a red and a white but undoubtedly the star is the rosé which still drinks really well despite some huge price rises in recent years. It is interesting how Provence rosé sales have increased over the years. No longer is it considered just a simple summer glugger but actually sells well throughout the year. I certainly enjoy the dry and subtle minerality with the salty tang working really well with certain foods. As I now seem to spend some of my summer in France I am a complete convert and would urge those who enjoy drier styles and food orientated wines to give Provence a go.