Wine Tech Sheets: How to Understand Your Fine Wine – Moncharm Fine Wine Merchants

If desiring to further your wine knowledge, delving into wine tech sheets is an important undertaking. Provided by the vineyard that produces the wine, wine tech sheets yield much more information for the wine connoisseur than any commercial label provides.
Though perhaps confusing at first, once you understand the abbreviations and terms, reading a wine tech sheet becomes a breeze. For that reason we will go through the 7 main abbreviations that the fine wine lover should know to better understand the attributes of their beverage of choice.

Wine Tech Sheet Terminology

1. pH

Your wine’s pH level indicates how intense the acids in the wine taste. The lower the number, the more intense the taste. Each decrease in number indicates 10 times more acidity than the previous. For example, a pH of 5 has 10 times more acidity than a pH of 6.

2. Acidity

The acidity level indicates the concentration of acids present. A low number indicates very low acidity – in other words, a flat-tasting wine (around 2 g/l), while a high number indicates high acidity and a sour taste (around 10 g/l). Average wines are between 4 g/l and 8 g/l. In general, total acidity is more powerful than pH, but at extreme levels the pH has its effect as well.

3. Alcohol by volume

ABV (alcohol by volume) is the percentage of alcohol in your fine wine. Most wines range from 10-15%, though there are exceptions. Dry ports tend to be over 15%, and sweet Moscato d’Astis are under 10%, for example.
Sweet wines will usually range between 8% to 9% alcohol, while dry wines will most commonly have between 11% and 13% ABV. You can read our full article on sugar in wine for more information about wine sweetness and how it correlates with ABV.

4. Malolactic fermentation

MLF (Malolactic Fermentation) tells you if the winemaker chose to change malic acid to lactic acid. The answer here is usually a yes or a no, most red wines going through MLF while and most whites do not. Malolactic fermentation usually occurs during oak barrel aging (see below).

5. Residual sugar

The RS abbreviation in wine tech sheets stands for residual sugar, or the sugar left over after fermentation in the wine. It is a measure of a wine’s sweetness. Some very dry wines have no residual sugar at all.

6. Brix

Brix measures the percentage of sugar in the original grape juice before processing into wine. It indicates percentage, so for example 22 Brix is 22% sweetness in the original grape.

7. Aging

Maturation (or Aging) indicates the winemaker’s aging method, including the type of barrel used (either oak or stainless steel). Depending on the vineyard, some are very specific, and will even indicate the type of oak and how old the barrels were.
Red wines tend to have more aging than white wines, to improve the taste and quality of tannins. White wines have less aging to preserve acidity and delicate aromas, which would otherwise be at risk of being reduced.
Stainless steel tanks preserve acidity and floral flavours, while smoothing out tannins. Oak barrels on the other hand allow oxygen into the wine, reducing the harshness of tannins while imparting flavour compounds. They also allow for more evaporation to give the remaining wine a higher alcohol percentage.

Where to Find Your Wine Tech Sheet?

You can contact the wine producer to obtain the wine tech sheet. Most fine wine merchants have tech sheets for their offerings, and will be happy to provide them upon request (or obtain them for you).
While wine tech sheets do not necessarily indicate the quality of your fine wine (nor your potential enjoyment), they do provide essential information that will allow you to better understand the intrinsic characteristics that make your preferred fine wine taste the way it does.
If you need assistance in selecting the perfect wine (be it for investment purposes or personal enjoyment), our fine wine experts will be happy to assist. Please have a look through our online wine shop for a rich selection of the world’s best, or contact us today for a prompt response to any fine wine related questions you may have.
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Perfect Wine Dinner: A Quick Guide to "Bring Your Own" Wine – Moncharm Fine Wine Merchants

Perfect Wine Dinner: A Quick Guide to "Bring Your Own" Wine – Moncharm Fine Wine Merchants

Perfect Wine Dinner: A Quick Guide to "Bring Your Own" Wine

July 09, 2015 • Bring Your Own Wine • BYO Wine • Fine Wine Blog • Michelin Wines

Bring your own wine policies are finding their way into some top London restaurants. Once reserved to cheap snack shops and establishments lacking an alcohol license, top and trendy restaurants are now offering a way for guests to enjoy their favourite wine with a fine meal.

Bring Your Own Wine Etiquette

Many restaurants in London and from around the world (including some reputable Michelin-starred ones) are testing the waters of BYO wine, most of them exclusively offering the service on certain nights (usually weekdays, and most commonly Mondays).
You should always check with your restaurant in advance if unsure of their BYO policy, but here are some general guidelines.

BYO Guidelines

It is considered rude to bring a bottle already on the menu. Bring a favourite that the restaurant doesn’t have available (find inspiration further in this article for our own list of BYO favourites). If in doubt, call ahead or check the restaurant’s wine list online if available.
Do not bring a cheap bottle – or worse, a boxed wine. It may be considered an insult to the restaurant if you prefer to drink a cheap wine rather than something already on the wine list. For ideas, you should check out our online wine shop here – where you’ll find a selection of some of the world’s best, delivered to your doorstep.
Usually, you will be expected to pay a minor corkage fee unless otherwise stated. The corkage fee covers your wine serving and the rental of the glasses that you will be using.
It is considered good etiquette to offer a taste of your BYO wine to the sommelier, waiter, or manager – whoever is taking care of your wine. Whoever has tasted your wine will be better able to make a food pairing recommendation too.

BYO Wine Restaurants In London

If you’re looking for a BYO wine restaurant in London, you will find our list of favourites below. You should also check out our list of the world’s best wine bars.
1. Hix Oyster and Chophouse – most famous for its oysters, this Smithfields upmarket favourite has a BYO policy every Monday. Better yet, there is no corkage fee.
2. Foxlow – every Tuesday, you can bring your own wine to this carnivore’s dream-come-true for a minor corkage fee of £5.
3. Hawksmoor – on Mondays, you can enjoy your own fine wine all day for the minimal corkage fee of £5. Our most recommended dishes are fillet steak or rib-eye.

Top 5 BYO Wine Recommendations

Choosing a meal to pair with your wine can be easy with recommendations from the restaurant’s knowledgeable manager or sommelier. You can also call ahead and mention the wine you are bringing (and its flavour notes) to give them an idea of what to prepare in advance.
For the wine, any fine wine such as those from our online shop will do. Some of our personal favourites that you can choose from are below.

1. This Chateau d'Yquem, 2006 – the bouquet of this fine white is full of fresh aromas of pineapple, caramel, coconut, spices, and vanilla, with persistent floral notes throughout.

With a lighter mouth feel, it has a silky texture which caresses the palate. The exploding fruit flavours of lemon and coconut are balanced by a sharp acidic note.
2. The Marchesi di Barolo Riserva, 2004 – the bouquet of this ruby red is intense with violet, rose, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Also packed with mint, crème de cassis, tar, liquorice, cola, and cedar, its complexity gives a different taste to every sip.
With a full taste, full body, and soft tannins, the pleasant goudron and truffle are mixing perfectly with the aforementioned flower and spice flavours. The rich density also pairs perfectly with the long, persistent finish.
3. This Chateau Pontet Canet, 2006 – a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit-Verdot, this wine is definitely up there at the top, having strong critical acclaim for its previous four vintages.
It has a very strong nose, bursting onto the palate with graphite, charcoal, crème de cassis, dark fruits, and just a glance of scorched earthiness.
4. The Tignanello, 2007 – this wine is a unique blend of Sangiovese (80%), Cabernet Sauvignon (15%), and Cabernet Franc (5%).
A delightful bouquet and ripe palate of cherries, spices, flowers, tobacco, sage, mint, cedar and minerals provides an exquisite experience, followed by a silky tannin finish.
5. This Chateau Carrades de Lafitte, 2005 – the bouquet of this premium dark vintage is a sweet blend of black fruits, sea salt, and black cherries.
The palate has a balanced concentration and strong memories of toasty black fruits, black pepper, and spices.

Enjoying Your BYO Wine Dinner

You can choose any of the above selections with confidence, as each bottle is deserving of its own chance to impress at your next BYO wine dinner.
For further BYO wine recommendations, wine investment advice, or any other questions about fine wine in general, the bespoke experts of Moncharm fine wine will be happy to assist you. Please contact us at any time, and we will respond promptly!
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# BURGUNDIAN WINE GRAPES MAIN REGIONS

# BURGUNDIAN WINE GRAPES MAIN REGIONS

WHAT IS BURGUNDY FAMOUS FOR?

France’s UNESCO Sites: Why Should Wine Investors Care? – Moncharm Fine Wine Merchants

France’s UNESCO Sites: Why Should Wine Investors Care? – Moncharm Fine Wine Merchants

France’s UNESCO Sites: Why Should Wine Investors Care?

• Fine Wine Blog • UNESCO Bordeaux • UNESCO Burgundy • UNESCO Champagne • UNESCO Sites

The World Heritage designation is directed by UNESCO, the cultural arm of the United Nations and the manager of its UNESCO sites. This status is awarded to areas of cultural and natural significance that are of crucial value to worldwide history.
The official UNESCO site designation increases international interest in any site, and has the potential to increase tourism while also possibly helping the area earn funding for preservation.

UNESCO Sites In France

France is home to over 41 UNESCO sites on the World Heritage List, four of which are wine-making regions. Saint Emilion and Port of the Moon are both located within the Bordeaux region, while the regions of Champagne and part of Burgundy have only recently been granted the award.
The recognition is greatly deserved by all of the awarded regions, and will help them better preserve for posterity. Additional effects such as increased tourism and a heightened interest toward the UNESCO regions’ wines result in increased value over time – which should be of interest to any wine enthusiast who considers investing.

1. UNESCO Site: Bordeaux

Bordeaux has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Port of the Moon (Bordeaux’s port city) and also Saint Emilion, a village in the true heart of the Bordeaux area.
The Port of the Moon is a historic city with amazing architecture from the age of the enlightenment. This city has more historically protected buildings than any other city in France except for Paris. It is recognized for its history spanning over 2000 years of cultural exchange and commerce, including as a capital city for world famous wine production.
Saint Emilion – the second UNESCO site in Bordeaux – is a small, pretty village in the center of the wine region. It is home to world class wine, excellent wineries, and beautiful architecture. It also boasts over 2000 years of history, with an important focus on world-class fine wine.

2. UNESCO Site: Burgundy

One of the most recently designated UNESCO sites, the wine-making region of Burgundy, was recognized for its grape cultivation and production.
The Climats (vineyards) on the side of the Cote de Nuits and the Cote de Beaune (south of the city of Dijon) are the areas specifically recognized for preservation and recognition.
UNESCO states that "the site is an outstanding example of grape cultivation and wine production developed since the High Middle Ages.” A great example of a world-class wine region with a long history of innovation, Burgundy is a worthy addition to the world’s officially designated UNESCO sites.

3. UNESCO Site: Champagne

Along with Burgundy, the region of Champagne (where our favourite bubbly is produced) was very recently announced as a World Heritage Site.
Its innovative production method was developed in the early 17th century and industrialized throughout the 19th century – a strong reason for UNESCO to recognize its cultural and historical significance.
The area includes production locations, cellars, champagne houses, and the vineyards of the Hautvilliers, Ay, Mareuil-sur-Ay, Saint-Nicaise Hill, the Avenue de Champagne, and Fort Chabrol.
UNESCO’s official designation of Champagne as a new UNESCO site states “the property bears clear testimony to the development of a very specialized artisan activity that has become an agro-industrial enterprise” – one that has come to be known and loved worldwide, we might add.

Investment Value of the UNESCO Status

Tourism in the UNESCO designated wine regions is expected to grow, as interest in World Heritage sites strengthens worldwide. Heightened attention (and free advertising) toward the regions is also likely to increase demand for their wines, which would naturally result in the appreciation of the tangible asset.
This may create an excellent opportunity for savvy wine investors. If you’re looking for high quality wine from these regions, the best place to look is our online wine shop – where a wide selection of the world’s finest is a few clicks away from arriving at your doorstep.
If you need help making the most informed decision when investing in Bordeaux, Burgundy, or Champagne, the skilled wine experts of Moncharm would be happy to assist. Please feel free to write us a quick message or give us a call for any queries you may have, and we will respond promptly.
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Wine Serving Temperature: Store & Serve Fine Wine Like A Pro – Moncharm Fine Wine Merchants

Wine Serving Temperature: Store & Serve Fine Wine Like A Pro – Moncharm Fine Wine Merchants

Wine Serving Temperature: Store & Serve Fine Wine Like A Pro

July 30, 2015 • Fine Wine Blog • Wine Serving • Wine Storage • Wine Temperature

The temperature of your wine is extremely important for your final tasting experience. By keeping track of your wine's temperature during both storage and serving, you’ll ensure you enjoy that highly acclaimed label at its very best.

Wine Temperatures: Storage & Serving

An incorrect wine storage temperature can damage the wine irreparably. Storing the wine at a stable, ideal temperature (10-16C for reds, and a bit lower for whites) preserves its flavour and taste and will allow it to later be served at an optimal serving temperature.
The wine’s serving temperature affects its aromas, flavour, and taste at the moment of serving. A wine that is served too warm will taste alcoholic, while a wine that is served too cold will lose its flavour.
A properly stored wine also needs to be served at the best temperature for its characteristics, which will usually be different to its storage temperature.
In general a low quality wine is best served a bit cooler than average, while high quality fine wines such as those in our online wine shop are best served a bit warmer.
But what is the best wine serving temperature for the bottle you’re looking at right now? It will depend on the wine’s characteristics, and we discuss the ideal wine serving temperatures for each type of wine below.

Red Wine Serving Temperature

Rich red wines should be served a little cool, most usually between 17-21C. A good example is this Château Le Petit Cheval, 2010 as well as other high quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines. The high tannins of these wines do best and mellow at the warmer temperature.
Light red wines (such as Pinot Noir and Zinfandel) should be served cool, most usually between 12-17C. Light, fruity weds can be served cooler to be more refreshing, or a bit warmer to enhance the flavours.
To achieve the ideal temperature of light reds, it is suggested that the wine be placed in the fridge for approximately 30 minutes or less before serving.

White Wine Serving Temperature

White wines should be served refrigerator-cooled, from 7-14C. A good example is this Chateau d'Yquem, 2006 as well as other Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Chardonnay wines. The lighter and zestier the white wine, the further on the cool end it should be served.
Oaked wines should be served a bit warmer. Full-bodied white wines should be served warmer to take advantage of their complexity and aroma range. Depending on the desired temperature, the wine should be placed in the fridge for 2 to 3 hours before serving.

Champagne Serving Temperature

Sparkling wines such as Champagne should be served ice cold, from 5-10C. A good example is this Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon, 2002 along with other Champagne, Prosecco, and Cava sparkling wines.
The chilling keeps bubbles fine and deliberate instead of frothy. To achieve this temperature, the champagne should be placed in the freezer for no more than 1 hour.

Last Minute Miracles

For urgent cases where you have less than an hour to prepare a wine that is not at the desired temperature, a few tips can save the day. The most important general rule is that if a wine tastes too alcoholic, it should be cooled. If there is not enough flavour, it should be warmed.
If a wine is too warm and needs to be cooled, it can be immersed in a bath of ice and cold water. A red wine should be submerged for 10 minutes, a white for approximately 20 minutes, and a bubbly for 30 minutes or up until serving.
If a wine is too cold, it can be decanted into a warmed container, or immersed for a brief moment in warm water. Take care not to heat the wine directly, as this can destroy it.
When serving your wine it is better to start with a temperature a bit lower than desired, as the wine will always be easier to warm up in the glass when a hand cups it, as opposed to the hard task of further cooling it down.

No Wine to Cool Down?

Take a moment to check out our online wine shop, where a range of the world’s best fine wines is literally at your fingertips – be it for serving, collection, or even investment.
If you have any other wine-related questions, our experts are here to help. Just write us a short message or give us a call – our team always responds promptly, and will be happy to help!
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5 Regions Wine Investors Should Look At. #2 Is Essential to a Strong P – Moncharm Fine Wine Merchants

5 Regions Wine Investors Should Look At. #2 Is Essential to a Strong P – Moncharm Fine Wine Merchants

5 Regions Wine Investors Should Look At. #2 Is Essential to a Strong Portfolio

Bordeaux Wine • Famous Wine Regions • Fine Wine Blog • Wine Investment

Less than 0.1% of the wine produced in the world is regarded as “investment grade.” In general, the most popular and sought after wines for investment are top Bordeaux and Grand Cru Burgundy – but there are several other regions on the rise that informed wine investors should keep an eye on.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is rising in collectability, and certain fine wines from Rhone Valley and Tuscany are proven portfolio additions as well.
Like with any and all investments, information is what gives you the edge in achieving good ROI. With that in mind, we’ve put together this list of the best wine investment regions to give you a gateway into the world of wine investment.
With additional research and resulting informed decisions, wine from any of these 5 top wine regions can be turned profitable.

1. Burgundy

Some of the best and most popular wines around the world today, the best Burgundies of both red and white varietals fetch some of the highest prices at wine auctions.
Regularly dominating the Top 50 Most Expensive Wines (as seen here), Grand Cru and other Burgundy wines have high ROI to offer if purchased at opportune times.
The best Burgundies are made in the smallest quantities, and are quickly grabbed by smart investors, as they are sure to reappear on the market later at skyrocketing prices due to scarcity.

2. Bordeaux

Over 90% of all investment grade wine is produced in Bordeaux – making it a key, crucial component region to any wine investment portfolio.
Many traditional portfolios focus only on red Bordeaux from the best vintages, as they have a well-established secondary market and unsurpassable reputations for quality, consistency, and cellaring.
For example, the 2000 vintage of Bordeaux (see this Cheval Blanc, 2000) has seen some bottles quickly increase 4 and 5 fold in value, which was virtually unheard of previously in wine investment.
Bordeaux is the most traditional wine investment region, and offers the most security on future trading in wine, as there are known and consistent markets for it. Any proper portfolio will prioritize key vintages and vineyards of Bordeaux – of which you can read more about in this article on Moncharm.

3. Rhone Valley

While Burgundy and Bordeaux may generally outshine the other regions for investment wine in popularity, Rhone Valley does offer a few strong prospects that can reach the same prices.
Recommended wines from Napa that you should keep an eye on are the “La-La” wines: La Landonne, La Mouline, and La Turque. You can read more about various vintages from these Rhone wines, as well as other investment-grade wines from Rhone, in this article on Moncharm.

4. Tuscany

While Tuscan classics such as Brunellos and Vino Nobiles are sometimes included in wine portfolios, the top investment wines from the region that we recommend keeping an eye on are without a doubt the Super Tuscans.
Sassicaia, Solaia and Tignanello are some of the most popular and distinguished investment-grade wines to come out of Italy – and for good reason, given their past performance. You can read our full article and input on these Tuscan wines (as well as others from Italy), in this Moncharm article.

5. Napa Valley

While many of the New World regions offer expensive and top quality wine, very few have proven themselves as investment quality – one of which is the USA’s California.
Napa Valley is the shining star in investment wine here. While investment wines from Napa Valley are not traded as frequently in secondary markets as are French investment wines, they have still managed to prove they are a solid investment.
Two good examples of Napa investment-grade wines are this Screaming Eagle, 2011 and this Opus One, 2009. Apart from other vintages of these wines, you should also keep an eye on other top quality Cabernet Sauvignons.
You can find more about this region, as well as Champagne and Bordeaux, in this Moncharm article.

Win £500.00 Worth Of Wine From Top Investment Regions

If you’re a wine collector or investor – or, simply, if you’d like a chance to start your journey in wine collecting for free – we’d like to invite you to enter our monthly prize draw right now.
This gives you a monthly chance to win a case worth £500.00 of wine from some of the world’s top investment regions – including Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Rhone Valley, and Tuscany.
Did we mention that this is a free-to-enter giveaway? No strings attached – click here and enter now!

Creating A Strong Portfolio

Conventional wine investment wisdom suggests that a strong portfolio must contain a strong base of key vintages of Bordeaux, along with an optional selection of wines from the other regions that present potential – which we have discussed above.
If you have any other wine investment questions or queries, or if you’d simply like the input of a wine expert, please feel free to write us a short message here or give us a call at any time. Our team always responds promptly, and will be happy to help!
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Wine Acidity: A Guide to An Essential Wine Characteristic – Moncharm Fine Wine Merchants

Wine Acidity: A Guide to An Essential Wine Characteristic – Moncharm Fine Wine Merchants

Wine Acidity: A Guide to An Essential Wine Characteristic

• Fine Wine Blog • Wine Acidity • Wine Guide • Wine Tasting

Wine acidity is a confusing concept for many, and the taste of acidity is frequently mistaken for tannins or alcohol. But the acid in wine plays an important role.
From a functional perspective, acidity is crucial for the preservation of wine. Proper wine acidity prevents spoilage of the wine and inhibits microorganism growth – while an acidity level too low will ruin the wine quickly as it will go bad.
The acidity of your wine is also important from an enjoyment perspective, providing balance and zest. We discuss in greater detail in this quick guide to wine acidity.

What Does Acidity Taste Like In Wine?

For an easy generalization, wines with higher acidity feel lighter or “zestier,” while wines with less acidity feel heavier or “richer.” Acidity can be recognized as a tingling sensation at the sides of the tongue, or a bumpy feeling on the rough of the tongue, with a prominence of saliva in the mouth.
Wine lacking acidity tastes flat and boring, while wine with too much acidity is too tart and sour. Acidity and sweetness in an ideal wine should correctly be used to balance each other.
Proper acidity proportions can enhance a wine’s refreshing qualities, and can complement paired foods exquisitely. This is achieved incredibly well in highly regarded fine wines such as those from these wine investment regions.

Types Of Acid In Wine

Four types of acid are found most commonly in grapes and in wine. The presence of a fifth type of acid (acetic acid or vinegar) should be found only in tiny amounts in good wines, because in large amounts it indicates a wine flaw – a common occurrence in cheap table wine. Acetic acid is undesirable and volatile.
Tartaric and malic acid are the most common acids in wine, and are created in grapes as they mature on the vine, with acidity decreasing as the grapes continue to mature. In general, wines from cooler years and areas tend to have higher acidity and lower sugar.
Warm climate grapes tend to have lower acid and higher sugar. Colder climates’ acidity is preserved better as compared to warm climates (thus presenting a higher level in the wine), because warmth and sunlight cause grapes to both mature and lose acidity faster.

Measuring Wine Acidity: TA & pH

TA (or total acidity) is measured under the assumption that a wine’s acid is all tartaric, and measures the percentage of acid in the wine. Total acidity is recorded as grams per 100 mL of wine. The general range is between 0.4% and 1.3%, with a most desirable range between 0.6% and 0.7%.
Wine that tastes too tart and sour would rate near 1.0%, while wine that tastes flat and boring is near 0.4%. An average red table wine is about 0.6%, with the average white wine just slightly higher.
An exception is very sweet white dessert wines, which may have acidity above 1%. This is considered very high, but necessary to balance the high sugar.
pH, on the other hand, measures active acidity. It is a logarithmic measure of wine acidity, meaning that a pH of 4 translates in 10 times more acidity than a pH of 5. The lower the pH number, the higher the acidity. If a pH is too high, microorganisms may grow in the wine.
Most wines are between the pH levels of 3.3 and 3.7.
To learn how you can find the acidity measurements of your wine, we recommend reading our recent article on wine tech sheets.

Understanding Your Fine Wine

The enjoyability of your wine drinking experience is often times dependent on your knowledge of it. It is this knowledge that helps you choose the right wine for your palate, and keep choosing right wines in the future. This is why we bring you weekly articles and guides here on our blog!
We hope understanding wine acidity will help you better understand your wine, and we recommend checking out our online wine shop for a collection of some of the world’s best fine wines from the most popular wine making regions – all just a button away from arriving at your doorstep.
For any other fine wine related questions or queries – or if you’re interested in fine wine investment or collecting – please feel free to contact our experts at any time. We always respond promptly, and will be glad to help!
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What Makes A Wine Expensive? The 3 Wine Price Factors – Moncharm Fine Wine Merchants

What Makes A Wine Expensive? The 3 Wine Price Factors – Moncharm Fine Wine Merchants

What Makes A Wine Expensive? The 3 Wine Price Factors

• Fine Wine Blog • Most Expensive Wines • What Makes A Wine Expensive

What Makes A Wine Expensive?

The price of a wine reflects the cost of production, which includes the raw physical materials, such as grapes, other ingredients, barrels for aging, and bottles and labels for packaging.
High quality materials translate to a higher quality of wine, but also a higher price. In addition to the materials, the production method to move the grapes from the vineyard, to the barrels, to the bottles also needs to be considered.
Utilities add to the production cost, as does labour. A change in any one of these costs increases the end price of the wine – moreover, variables such as the grape yield (highly influenced by weather) will also affect production costs and are to be considered.
While many production factors interlace, three main aspects contribute to a wine’s end price.

3 Main Wine Price Factors

1. Time

It is a widely known fact that high quality wine that is well-aged tastes rounder and smoother – qualities that are highly sought after among consumers.
Aging adds heavily to the production costs (think storage, labour, uncertainty in an unstable market) as the wine takes up space in a winery and costs money for maintenance.

2. Oak barrel aging

Aging high quality fine wine in oak barrels is favourable to any other aging method, leading to enhanced flavours and an overall better quality.
Oak barrels result in lost wine as it evaporates from the barrel, leaving less wine to be bottled. This is not to mention that oak itself is an expensive material, coming with the need of expert staff to maintain quality and perform periodical tastings of the wine.

3. Vineyard Locations

Wine produced from vineyards in famous locations that are known for their ability to produce outstanding wine consistently will cost more.
The proven track record of the most famous wine investment regions almost always command higher prices. As with most any other product, branding and quality assurance costs more.
Wines from developing countries tend to be cheaper than from developed countries (sometimes resulting in great value wines during certain vintages). This can be attributed both to a reduced cost of production (cheaper labour, etc.), but to the region’s lower profile too.
Other factors contributing to the price of fine wines that will influence it in the future are the rarity of a high quality vintage, as well as its ability to attract collectors (something famous wine regions such as Bordeaux and Rhone are well known for).

What Are The Most Expensive Wines?

Wine Searcher compiled the top 50 of the most expensive wines in the world, gleaned from almost 55.000 wine price lists and based on the average price of a 750ml bottle.
The most expensive wines in the world are overwhelmingly European, with the top 10 coming from France (8) and Germany (2). The Cote de Nuits of France commands 4 of the top 10 spots, while Cote de Beaune of France commands 2.
All of the top 10 have average prices over $3000, with most of them nearer to or exceeding $10.000. The most expensive wine in the world right now, a highly renowned Burgundy, can go for as much as $24.000.

Great Wine Collecting Alternatives

If you’re looking to celebrate with, collect, or invest in fine wines of high quality from the same renowned wine regions (but without the $24.000 price tag), the following recommendations meet the criteria and provide great value – without the highest of costs.
Our main suggestions hail from the Rhone Region. Especially noteworthy are the famous “La La” wines – such as the La Mouline (1989 vintage), La Landonne (1995 vintage, 2009 vintage), or La Turque (1988 vintage, 2005 vintage). You can check out more recommendations here in our online wine shop.
For any other fine wine related questions or queries – or if you’re interested in fine wine investment or collecting – please feel free to contact our experts at any time. And don’t forget to sign up for our monthly prize draw right now for your chance of winning fine wine worth £500.00!
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Wine Temperature Chart: Storage & Serving | Moncharm - Fine wine Merchants

Wine Temperature Chart: Storage & Serving | Moncharm - Fine wine Merchants

Wine Serving Temperature: Store & Serve Fine Wine Like A Pro

• Fine Wine Blog • Wine Serving • Wine Storage • Wine Temperature

The temperature of your wine is extremely important for your final tasting experience. By keeping track of your wine's temperature during both storage and serving, you’ll ensure you enjoy that highly acclaimed label at its very best.

Wine Temperatures: Storage & Serving

An incorrect wine storage temperature can damage the wine irreparably. Storing the wine at a stable, ideal temperature (10-16C for reds, and a bit lower for whites) preserves its flavour and taste and will allow it to later be served at an optimal serving temperature.
The wine’s serving temperature affects its aromas, flavour, and taste at the moment of serving. A wine that is served too warm will taste alcoholic, while a wine that is served too cold will lose its flavour.
A properly stored wine also needs to be served at the best temperature for its characteristics, which will usually be different to its storage temperature.
In general a low quality wine is best served a bit cooler than average, while high quality fine wines such as those in our online wine shop are best served a bit warmer.
But what is the best wine serving temperature for the bottle you’re looking at right now? It will depend on the wine’s characteristics, and we discuss the ideal wine serving temperatures for each type of wine below.

Red Wine Serving Temperature

Rich red wines should be served a little cool, most usually between 17-21C. A good example is this Château Le Petit Cheval, 2010 as well as other high quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines. The high tannins of these wines do best and mellow at the warmer temperature.
Light red wines (such as Pinot Noir and Zinfandel) should be served cool, most usually between 12-17C. Light, fruity weds can be served cooler to be more refreshing, or a bit warmer to enhance the flavours.
To achieve the ideal temperature of light reds, it is suggested that the wine be placed in the fridge for approximately 30 minutes or less before serving.

White Wine Serving Temperature

White wines should be served refrigerator-cooled, from 7-14C. A good example is this Chateau d'Yquem, 2006 as well as other Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Chardonnay wines. The lighter and zestier the white wine, the further on the cool end it should be served.
Oaked wines should be served a bit warmer. Full-bodied white wines should be served warmer to take advantage of their complexity and aroma range. Depending on the desired temperature, the wine should be placed in the fridge for 2 to 3 hours before serving.

Champagne Serving Temperature

Sparkling wines such as Champagne should be served ice cold, from 5-10C. A good example is this Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon, 2002 along with other Champagne, Prosecco, and Cava sparkling wines.
The chilling keeps bubbles fine and deliberate instead of frothy. To achieve this temperature, the champagne should be placed in the freezer for no more than 1 hour.

Last Minute Miracles

For urgent cases where you have less than an hour to prepare a wine that is not at the desired temperature, a few tips can save the day. The most important general rule is that if a wine tastes too alcoholic, it should be cooled. If there is not enough flavour, it should be warmed.
If a wine is too warm and needs to be cooled, it can be immersed in a bath of ice and cold water. A red wine should be submerged for 10 minutes, a white for approximately 20 minutes, and a bubbly for 30 minutes or up until serving.
If a wine is too cold, it can be decanted into a warmed container, or immersed for a brief moment in warm water. Take care not to heat the wine directly, as this can destroy it.
When serving your wine it is better to start with a temperature a bit lower than desired, as the wine will always be easier to warm up in the glass when a hand cups it, as opposed to the hard task of further cooling it down.

No Wine to Cool Down?

Take a moment to check out our online wine shop, where a range of the world’s best fine wines is literally at your fingertips – be it for serving, collection, or even investment.
If you have any other wine-related questions, our experts are here to help. Just write us a short message or give us a call – our team always responds promptly, and will be happy to help!
Image source: Steven

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What Is Bordeaux Famous For? | Moncharm - Fine wine Merchants

What Is Bordeaux Famous For? | Moncharm - Fine wine Merchants

What Is Bordeaux Famous For?

• Bordeaux Wine • Bordeaux Wine Region • Fine Wine Blog • What Is Bordeaux Famous For

What is Bordeaux famous for? A natural question about the most popular wine region today that every newcomer to the world of fine wine asks. And for good reason, given all the talk about it in this online community!
Bordeaux is famous for its red wines – of course – but is known for so much more! The World Heritage designation that this wine region has maintained over the last decade has increased interest in the region, but why? And what exactly is Bordeaux famous for, if not just red wine?

1. The Bordeaux region is famous for its shopping

The Rue Saint Catherine in the Bordeaux wine region boasts over a kilometre of fancy shops, bustling cafes, and beautiful shopping centres. The famous department store Galeries Lafayette – which resembles a royal palace – is known for being the longest shopping strip throughout Europe.
And of course, it goes without saying that the myriad vineyards and shops selling the region’s famous wine and foodstuffs are a main tourist attraction point in this region.

2. The Bordeaux region is famous for its beauty

Bordeaux lovers like to say that parts of Paris were modelled after Bordeaux, long known for its well-worn charm and pretty buildings.
An affectionate nickname for the city is Petit Paris (meaning Little Paris). With three beautiful universities, neat avenues, open squares, and ornate architecture, the city has an international vibe that inspires old school elegance.

3. The Bordeaux region is famous for its history

Wine has been grown in Bordeaux for thousands of years – since even before the Romans arrived. The city of Bordeaux is almost as old, and its wine has always been at the forefront of the economy.
The location of the city (near the port) allowed for easy commerce, and due to the control of the English, a major customer was England – who called the Bordeaux red wine “claret.”

4. Bordeaux wine is famous for amazing grape blends

All Bordeaux wine is made of region-specific grape blends. Red Bordeaux wines are nearly always blends of mainly Cabernet and Merlot – which are the main red varieties of the region. Other grapes (in smaller amounts) are grown and occasionally used as well – such as Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.
A white Bordeaux wine is usually a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, with the occasional Muscadelle in smaller quantities.
These grape blends resulted in impressive wine aromas that have been highly regarded consistently by wine connoisseurs.

5. Bordeaux wine is famous for consistent excellence

The wine-making process has been perfected in Bordeaux for thousands of years. Additionally, the two main grapes of the Bordeaux blend lend themselves to excellence.
Because the two dominant grapes have different ripening seasons, even if say Cabernet Sauvignon has a bad season, Merlot would not – and vice versa.
This provides consistency and reliability for all Bordeaux vintages, and helped secure the region’s popularity as one of the very best for wine investment and wine collecting.

6. Bordeaux is famous for the sheer amount of wine it produces

Producing four times as much wine as the second most famous region in France (Burgundy), Bordeaux is a production powerhouse.
It has over 250.000 acres of vines and over 20.000 wine producers in the region (though only about 100 are famous worldwide for making the region’s very best). In total, 850 million bottles are produced each year.

7. Bordeaux wine is even famous for its iconic bottles

The wine bottles of Bordeaux are iconic and highly recognizable around the world. With high, right-angled shoulders, you can’t mistake a bottle of Bordeaux for anything lesser.

What Is Bordeaux Famous For?

We hope our 7 reasons why Bordeaux is the most popular wine (and wine region) have helped answer your question! A history-making wine producer, Bordeaux is sure to have a wine in store that will fit neatly with your personal tastes.
Try one of Bordeaux’s world-famous wines from our online wine shop (click here), and have a piece of flavourful history brought right in front of your doorstep by our expert team! You can check out our best Bordeaux recommendations here to get you started.
If you have any wine-related questions or queries, please feel free to write us a quick message or give us a call at any time. Our fine wine experts always respond promptly, and will be happy to help!
Image source: Muhamad


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Champagne Vs. Sparkling Wine – Characteristics & Recommendations | Moncharm - Fine wine Merchants

Champagne Vs. Sparkling Wine – Characteristics & Recommendations | Moncharm - Fine wine Merchants

Champagne Vs. Sparkling Wine – Characteristics & Recommendations

• Champagne • Fine Wine Blog • Sparkling Wine

When it’s time to celebrate, the first beverage that comes to mind is something bubbly, elegant, and festive.
But how do you know whether to reach for the Champagne or the Sparkling Wine? Even more importantly – do you know the differences between the two?
One of the easiest to spot and biggest differences is the price – Champagne is almost without exception more expensive than the rest of the sparkling wines. But that is definitely not the main difference. Let’s explore what is!

Sparkling Wine

Sparkling wine is made through ordinary winemaking techniques (combining sugar in the form of grapes and yeast, which results in alcohol and CO2), but is made special by not allowing the resulting gas to escape.
When wine is created by fermenting in a closed environment, the CO2 gas returns into the wine, creating sparkling wine. This gas is released in the tell-tale sparkling wine bubbles after popping the cork.
Sparkling wine is created in regions throughout the whole world, everywhere from Champagne to Tasmania and Austria to Oregon.
But the only sparkling wine that can be called Champagne is produced in the Champagne region. Even French sparkling wine produced outside the region of Champagne cannot be called Champagne.

3 Most Popular Sparkling Wines That Are Not Champagne

The most popular non-Champagne sparkling wines are Cava, Prosecco, and Cremant.

1. Prosecco comes from the Veneto region in northeastern Italy, and is produced mainly from the prosecco or glera grape.

2. Cava comes from Spain, and is produced mainly in the Catalonia region with macabeo, parallada, and xarel-lo grapes.

3. Cremant comes from France (like Champagne), but is produced in the regions of Alsace, Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Jura, Limoux, and Loire.

It is made from a wide variety of grapes including pinot blanc, auxerrois, pinot gris, pinot noir, and Riesling. The production process is quite similar to Champagne’s, however the result is less bubbly.
An excellent example of a great Cremant is this Cremant de Limoux Rose. At only £14, this sparkling wine is an absolute steal and an excellent value!

Champagne

All Champagne falls into the broad category of sparkling wine, however not all sparkling wine can be called Champagne.
Champagne is only the sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region of France, where the Méthode Champenoise unique method of winemaking started being used in the 19th century (see the oldest champagne bottle).
Champagne is, therefore, a sparkling wine categorized by two main factors: the region where it is produced (called Champagne) and the special wine making process used to make it (called Méthode Champenoise).

Champagne Grapes & Recommendations

Authentic Champagne can only be produced within the Champagne region of France, and must be made with chardonnay, pinot noir, and/or pinot meunier grapes.
This Tattinger Comtes de Champagne, 2004 is an excellent example in terms of value (priced at just £60), while this Krug, 1996 and this Dom Perignon Rose, 2002 are fine examples of exceptional quality Champagne.
The historical beverage of choice for kings, the Champagne Cristal is yet another example of exceptional quality. You can find more fine champagne recommendations in this article.

Champagne Vs. Sparkling Wine

Regardless of which of the two you prefer most, you can always find a comprehensive selection of some of the world’s best Champagnes and sparkling wines in our online wine shop – all just a few clicks away from arriving at your doorstep!
Additionally, if you have any wine related questions or queries, please feel free to contact us at any time. Our experts will respond promptly, and will be happy to help!
Image source: Cat Klein

Left Bank vs. Right Bank Bordeaux: What You Should Know | Moncharm - Fine wine Merchants

Left Bank vs. Right Bank Bordeaux: What You Should Know | Moncharm - Fine wine Merchants

Holiday Wine Pairing: How to Choose Wine for Your Dinner | Moncharm - Fine wine Merchants

Holiday Wine Pairing: How to Choose Wine for Your Dinner | Moncharm - Fine wine Merchants