NYT on Bordeaux at French supermarket fairs

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http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/dinin ... ref=dining

Of course, who could believe that there would be classified 2009s selling below 1er tranche, we all know the Asian market already bought it all. And obviously a mistake re critic scores, we've been assured only the Americans buy by scores.

[James Roscoe]

This kind of crap could only appear in the NY Times! Obviously it is a bunch of Burgundian propaganda designed to make the Bordelais look like arrogant jackasses.

I think you can still read 1 article free w/o registering

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/dinin ... ref=dining

Of course, who could believe that there would be classified 2009s selling below 1er tranche, we all know the Asian market already bought it all. And obviously a mistake re critic scores, we've been assured only the Americans buy by scores.

It would most likely to be scores from French critics like Bettane/Desseauve and the RVF, both of whom have made extensive reprts on the offer at the Foires aux Vins, which varies from store to store even in the same chain.

Belgian supermarkets also do Foires aux Vins but I was away in Italy when they opened. By the time I got to the local Carrefour store, any 2009s must have been snapped up leaving quantities of uninspiring 2007s at not attractive enough prices for me to buy. The selection from other regions/countries was poor compared with what the RVF said was available in some French stores.

The next time you hear some say Bordeaux is overpriced, show them that article!

It so happens I went to a Foire aux Vins this afternoon at the Centre Leclerc in Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, a suburb of Bordeaux and bought the following:

2006 Ch. Arnauld, Ht. Médoc at 7.95
2006 Jean Faure, St. Emilion gd. cru at 17.90
2009 Pique Caillou, Pessac-Léognan (red) at 13.95
2009 Arnauton, Fronsac, at 9.95
2009 Séguin, Pessac-Léognan (red) at 19.95
2009 Roque Le Mayne, Côtes de Castillon at 8.90
2006 Haut Gramons, Graves (red) at 8.70
2005 Le Crock, St. Estèphe (owned by the Cuveliers of Léoville Poyferré) at 21.80
2006 Lamothe Bergeron at 9.50
2010 Chantegrive, Cuvée Caroline (Graves blanc) at 13.95
2009 La Dauphine, Fronsac at 14.95
2007 Hermitage, Texier at 29.50
2008 Larrivet Haut Brion, Pessac-Léognan (white) at 29.90
2006 Nuits St. Georges Premier Cru "Les Pruliers" from Gouges at 55.00
2009 Gloria, St. Julien - magnum - at 64.50

All prices in euros including tax.

What the article doesn't say is that famous wines from politically correct vintages are not the mainstay of these fairs, and so a very false impression is given.
They are far more a way of unloading so-called off-vintages.

Best regards,
Alex R.

2007 Hermitage, Texier at 29.50
2006 Nuits St. Georges Premier Cru "Les Pruliers" from Gouges at 55.00

Nice to see you leaving Bordeaux!

Great price on the Texier. Fair price on the Gouges. I'd be happy to drink both wines, forget that other Bordeaux stuff.

What can I say, looks like the Hermitage there is a very decent value.

What can I say, looks like the Hermitage there is a very decent value.

Indeed. We pay that for the St Joseph or the Brezeme here in the US.

Right on. And Gouges can be so awesome, too.

I stumbled on an autumn wine fair in La Rochelle a number of years ago and will never forget it. A long line of men waiting to sign up for home delivery guarded shopping baskets stacked with their prize cases. The aisles were packed with shoppers, almost all courteous, and there was lots of help. One employee adopted me with my very limited French, trying to understand me as best he could, By the end I was calling him "mon ami" and he smiled each time. We had room for just small amount of wine. How I envied those guys on the home delivery line.