Happy Wine Day! The 25th May is National Wine Day and we have been celebrating with Chateaux Lafite Rothschild and Cheval Blanc.
As far as we are concerned wine is to be celebrated every day: the making of it, the enjoying and the investment returns it can provide! This year we have celebrated National Wine Day in absolutely spectacular style!
I was joined by Chris Robshaw, former England Rugby Captain and our Sports & Entertainment Director, along with ex-England cricketer Matthew Hoggard MBE, one of the nation’s most famous fast bowlers, along with a select few clients, for an extraordinary visit to the world’s most famous fine wine region.
After our earlier visit to Bordeaux, for the En Primeurs tastings recently, I was really excited to be back with three of Bordeaux’ great estates this week. I knew this trip was going to be special, but it surpassed all my expectations! We were royally entertained. In fact, Pierre Lurton at Chateau Cheval Blanc who had been entertaining a royal guest, kindly made time to welcome us! Both Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Cheval Blanc wined and dined us in their ‘family homes’ with amazing wines selected from their private cellars. It was a huge privilege and an experience I will never forget!” Chris Robshaw.
Our itinerary across two days in Bordeaux this week was truly awesome. On landing in Bordeaux, we were driven directly to St Emilion and the amazing Chateau Cheval Blanc, where we were welcomed by Commercial Director, Arnaud de Laforcade and President, Pierre Lurton. Following a tour of the Chateau and grounds and tasting, we enjoyed at an incredibly special private lunch in the Chateau paired with Cheval Blanc vintages 2011, 2014, 2009 and 2006.
From Cheval Blanc we went to the newly elevated Chateau Figeac, awarded St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe A status in the 2022 Classification. We enjoyed a tour of the chateau and grounds, following which we were treated to a tasting of their 2009 and 2015 grand vins. Just superb!
A small break in the itinerary allowed a refresher back at our base, The Grand Hotel in Bordeaux, before an evening with our negociant. A celebratory Krug was enjoyed – well National Wine Day had to be toasted - prior to a selection of superb reds showcasing some great vintages spanning decades between 1970 to 2016 and a sumptuous Sauternes from Chateau Doisy Vedrines!
Our second day was all about Chateau Lafite! We were welcomed back by Managing Director, Frederic Mairesse, who escorted us around the chateau grounds and cellar to the iconic Lafite oval barrel room. This is truly a shrine to the world’s greatest wines. You can only feel reverence – it is just mind-blowing! From there we were taken to the Rothchild’s private dining room where we were joined by Technical Director, Eric Kohler who hosted a private lunch for us all following a special tasting. Lunch commenced with Carruades de Lafite 2010, followed by Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1998 and 1985.
Matthew Hoggard: “What an amazing couple of days. The service and hospitality were on point from the moment we got off the plane. You then throw some of the world’s best vineyards and wines into the mix with lunch in the dining room of Chateau Lafite Rothschild, you have an experience that will stick with you forever! I feel very lucky to have been part of this, I cannot wait for the next one. Jamie, you have set the bar very high!”
We are incredibly fortunate to have access to these amazing, world-class estates. We do not take for granted the exceptional privilege we were provided with, having enjoyed lunch and exquisite wines at the Chateaux, hosted by the senior teams at each. For our guests, this week’s visit brought alive the value of these extraordinary wines. Witnessing first hand the vineyards, cellars, ‘best-in-the-world’ wine makers and the history and heritage of these great estates, clearly establishes the value that is bestowed on them by global markets.
So, we celebrated National Wine Day 2023 in extraordinary style – but you don’t have to wait for that one day a year to do so. To find out more about Vin-X exclusive wine events contact our team on 0203 384 2262.