Global stock markets got hit hard this week as Covid-19 cases grew, threatening global supply chains and pushing investors into safer assets – metals, bonds and cash. Sterling softened from its recent highs as the UK threatened to walk away from trade talks as early as June if certain red lines were not agreed to. The negotiations start on Monday. Expect a bumpy ride in the Sterling-Euro market.
With the very real threat of economic disruption keeping Asian buyers at bay, Bordeaux’s market share held below the 50% level.
However, with spring in the air (somewhere!) US tariff-exempt Champagne saw a decent clip of trade. Yquem 2009 took top spot by trade value as a parcel was cleared through the market at a big discount to its release price.
Taittinger, Comtes Champagne has been the top performing Champagne over the past 10 years, but more recently it has underperformed. Cristal and Dom Perignon have led Champagne 50 index, although they achieved this via two very different paths.
While the smaller production Cristal has put in a steady performance, Dom Perignon saw a large upswing in December 2018, when the much admired 2008 vintage was released and added as an index component. Taittinger, Comtes Champagne is set to release their highly anticipated 2008 vintage this spring. Perhaps one to watch.
Bordeaux 2019 report
Gavin Quinney has provided an in depth look at the production figures for Bordeaux 2019. The report is illustrated with detailed graphs, tables, and serves as a backdrop for the En Premier tastings in early April. With over 600 million bottles of wine made in the region every year, the report is a very useful guide to conditions on the ground, appellation by appellation.
Neal Martin reviews 2017 DRC
Neal Martin released his notes from his recent DRC 2017 tasting. The event allows a side by side judgement of the wines, which due to the current market price of each bottle, does not happen all too often.
