Nick's Vintage 2011

Producing wine is like any type of agriculture, it depends on so many things coming together at the right time to produce the best results: great grapes, suitable soils, climate, weather and expert viticulture. Harvest across Europe has thrown up many challenges this year – from hail, rain and wet conditions to heat spikes and dehydration – but France has certainly had the best vintage across Europe both in terms of volume and quality, for which we are very thankful!

Producing wine is like any type of agriculture, it depends on so many things coming together at the right time to produce the best results: great grapes, suitable soils, climate, weather and expert viticulture. Harvest across Europe has thrown up many challenges this year – from hail, rain and wet conditions to heat spikes and dehydration – but France has certainly had the best vintage across Europe both in terms of volume and quality, for which we are very thankful!

I go over to France many times in September and October to visit our partner producers and to see how the harvest is progressing and to look at early tanks of whites and rosés that have finished fermentation. It’s an exciting time but can also be nerve-wracking too – luckily I needn’t have worried….

Here are my first thoughts on vintage 2011:

French Connection Sélection wines – the quality looks really good for the white and rosé; they are bright, fresh and fruity.

French Connection Reserve Chardonnay – the quality here is very good too with freshly balanced acidity from the Languedoc and bright, fresh and easy-drinking juice from higher yielding regions of Gascogne and Charentes.

French Connection Reserve Merlot – Merlot is an early-ripening red grape variety that was affected by the challenging weather but our producers picked later resulting in grapes with better, richer qualities. Good stuff.

French Connection Grande Reserve Sauvignon Blanc – there is good, fresh quality here with a vibrant nettle component from the Gascogne region. The Languedoc portion is very fresh with good flavour and palate weight. I am looking forward to making up the first blends in December.

French Connection Grande Reserve Shiraz – this looks good both in terms of even quality and reasonable crop. The wines are already showing good blackberry fruit and pepper characters.

French Connection Champagne – in Champagne picking began on 19 August, the earliest harvest since 2003, which was in itself was the earliest since the 19th century. Results so far show good quality and quantity. Delicious!

Now the work starts in the wineries and I look forward to seeing how the wines progress over the coming months and, of course, bringing you the fantastic results next year.

Nick

Producing wine is like any type of agriculture, it depends on so many things coming together at the right time to produce the best results: great grapes, suitable soils, climate, weather and expert viticulture. Harvest across Europe has thrown up many challenges this year – from hail, rain and wet conditions to heat spikes and dehydration – but France has certainly had the best vintage across Europe both in terms of volume and quality, for which we are very thankful!