Bordeaux set for historic trio

2010 is likely to complete a trio of excellent consecutive Bordeaux vintages, but how is the market set for the influx of yet another onslaught of top-scoring clarets – and how is it going to be priced?

While not making any definitive statements about the quality of this year’s vintage, the Bordelais vintners are quietly confident that, if the weather continues in its current trend, 2010 will be another excellent harvest, the third in a row, mirroring – if not surpassing – the ’88, ’89, ’90 triumvirate.

Gary Boom, founder and managing director of fine wine merchant Bordeaux Index, said: “Bordeaux has been enjoying another great summer so far, but the next six to eight weeks will determine the final quality of the vintage”.

Once again, this year’s weather made a change for the better, saving the day (and the grapes) towards the end of the growing season, although the turnaround was less dramatic this year than it was in the previous two years, which were dubbed the "Hollywood vintages" by some, reflecting the improbable and dramatic improvement in the weather.

Despite the long hot days and the cool evenings in one of the warmest Julys on record, the year started out relatively wet, resulting in coulure, or shatter, which will mean a reduced crop for most, not only in Bordeaux, but across a number of wine growing regions, including Alsace and Burgundy – the latter reporting a likely decrease of 20% in this year’s harvest.

Reduced quantity will no doubt translate to high prices once more, especially if the global economic recovery continues.

Considering current market performance, Bordeaux Index’s unspoilt 15-month run of gains fell flat in July.

The market is likely to pick up again, however, in late September with the Asian mid-Autumn festival: “Sales in countries such as China, Hong Kong and Taiwan are likely to be a bell-weather for market direction”, predicted Boom.

As for conditions in Bordeaux, for the next six to eight weeks the châteaux are at the mercy of the weather’s caprice.

Marinel FitzSimons, 12.08.2010