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A brief update on where we're at, and great news for all: The end of the 2010 financial year shows very strong growth for Eurocentric Wine Imports and rising demand from retailers and restaurants for larger allocations of our boutique and cult producers, champagne in particular. However, the banks are unimpressed (by anything it seems) and will not back a business that does not have substantial property equity. And we have none. That being the case, it's sale time online! We have at least four containers of new wine lined up for the second half of this year, with more focus on the value end of the market, and that means I need to clear space and find the money for these goodies. These include our first two Spanish producers, more Chablis, cult Champagnes, more Burgundy, Rhones, new German aces and South Africa's cult superstar. Rather than re-price everything online, you can shop now and use the coupon code "special" (without the quotes) and you will get a 10% discount on already reduced prices. Given that a minimum order of 12 bottles (mixed or straight) already entitled you to the 10% discounted rates, and some exclusive lines are reduced 40%, your total saving now is around 20-50%. And make sure you choose the $0 freight option for orders over $500. The schedule of arrivals for the rest of the year is very exciting, if not overwhelming. This is the virtual completion of more than two years of research and hunting for the best, most elegant, terroir-stamped, food-friendly wines that Europe, NZ and South Africa have to offer, and from here the portfolio will undergo minor tweaks and additions rather than such a massive influx. Supply from some of these cult producers is so tight that a pre-arrival offer will go out to subscribers (that's you) before anyone else. If you have friends you think might be interested, encourage them to sign up now. Those who do their research will know how good they are. Take Champagne Marie-Courtin for instance. I'd be surprised if anyone in Australia had heard of it, but the new French sommelier at three-hat Marque restaurant in Sydney had, and promptly ordered 30 dozen of one of the cuvees without a care about the price. The first offer for the next shipment will go out today -- the brilliant new Minervois reds from leading Burgundy couple Anne Gros (Vosne Romanee) and Jean-Paul Tollot (Tollot Beau). There are four cuvees of the 2008s, starting at less than $50 a bottle, but availability is very limited. The entry-level 50-50 (Cinquante-Cinquante) and top of the range Les Carretals are limited to 120 bottles each, but if demand is there I can order more of the other two cuvees. However, the order is going to be picked up on July 28, so you can imagine time is tight. To whet your appetite, the rest of our fifth European container, due in late September, will include: * Roland Pignard Morgon 07 (certified biodynamic cru Beaujolais) * Jean-Marc Burgaud Chateau de Thulon Beaujolais villages 09 (from a mind-blowing vintage -- the best in 50 years, some say) * Domaine des Espiers Sablet and Gigondas 08, and Cotes du Rhone 08 and 09 * Domaine David Clark 07 (Morey St Denis). Only 31 dozen from one of the smallest and most exciting young producers on the Cote d'Or * Maison Alex Gambal 07 (Beaune). Brilliant reds and whites, from bourgogne to 1er cru, at lower prices than the 06s! 50 dozen only. * Domaine Pattes Loup 08 (Chablis). There are oceans of boring Chablis. And then there is biodynamic artist Thomas Pico. Get in before the reviews come out. 25 dozen only. * Chartogne-Taillet (Champagne). Alexandre Chartogne did a year as Anselme Selosse's apprentice before taking over his family domaine. And the accolades are flowing thick and fast. Only three dozen of the sensational Cuvee Les Barres, but good stocks of great-value NV brut and rosé. * Henri Billiot (Champagne). New stocks of the Tradition, and the launch of the 2004 Millesime, another great vintage. * Weingut Forstmeister-Geltz Zilliken. My tip is that Zilliken will be hailed far and wide as having one of the best collections of 2009. Reserve a place in the queue by snapping up a limited range of juicy 2008s, and take advantage of a very rare opportunity to buy 1993 spatlese and auslese fresh from the cellars. * Weingut Maximin Grunhaus. At last, a full range of the Ruwer star's best from the 2007 vintage, but as little as one dozen bottles of some cuvees. There are many others to come: cult champagnes from Cedric Bouchard, Vouette et Sorbee, Pierre Gerbais, Benoit Lahaye, Ulysse Collin, Georges Laval, Bonnet-Gilmert and Marie Courtin; a top-10 German producer; two new Chablis stars; Burgundy from Auguste & Lucie Lignier, Pierre Guillemot, Drouhin Laroze and Laroze de Drouhin; northern Rhones from Lionel Faury and Emmanuel Barou; Spanish reds from $15; and the Sadie Family sensations from South Africa. Our goal is to help you drink better for less, and we appreciate your support! So, off to the website, and watch your inbox for the Gros-Tollot offer! Best wishes, Neville |
