1928 Krug sets world auction record for Champagne bottle

A 1928 Krug has broken the world record for the most expensive bottle of Champagne sold at auction.

Lafite: Chinese vineyard was considered 15 years ago

Following the announcement of its new Chinese estate, the head of Domaines Baron Rothschild (DBR) has told decanter.com the company had been considering a move to the country for 15 years.

Scarlett Johansson named Moet ambassador

American actor Scarlett Johansson was named ‘ambassador’ for Champagne house Moet & Chandon at a gala film evening in London this week.

Bordeaux: wine boom may be over

The boom of blue chip Bordeaux wines may be over, according to senior industry commentators.

Vin de Pays d’Oc in massive US fraud scandal

Several hundred thousand hectolitres of Vin de Pays d’Oc was fraudulently sold and exported to the US over the last four years, it has emerged.

Prats of Cos calls for September en primeur

Jean-Guillaume Prats, the managing director of Bordeaux Second Growth Chateau Cos d’Estournel, has called for radical changes to the en primeur system.

Quincy and Reuilly - back on the wine map!

A unique form of co-op has put Quincy and Reuilly back on the Loire map. But are they now facing opposition from within their ACs

Bordeaux 2008 ‘excellent’ says head of Bordeaux Superieur

The head of the Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur winemakers’ union has called the 2008 vintage ‘excellent’, despite early indications that the vintage is poor.

Israeli authorities lift wine ban

Sacramental wine produced in Bethlehem for a Christian charity based in the UK has finally been cleared for export by Israeli authorities following months of embargo.

French government dismisses St-Emilion reclassification proposal

The French government council has thrown out a move to reinstate eight declassified St-Emilion chateaux.

Sebastiani sold to Foley Wine Group

Californian wine company Sebastiani Vineyards is set to be sold to US wine group Foley for an undisclosed sum, it was announced yesterday.

German scientist logs Champagne cork speed

A German scientist has managed to register the speed of a Champagne cork as it leaves the bottle.

Decanter panel praises 2006 northern Rhone vintage

A top Decanter tasting panel has praised a ‘fantastic’ 2006 vintage in the northern Rhone.

French press slam 2008 vintage

France’s two main newspapers have slammed the 2008 vintage, saying poor weather has jeopardised the quality of the harvest across the country.

Wine prices: Bordeaux '08 must come down say UK wine merchants

As another difficult Bordeaux harvest nears its close, wine merchants in the UK are already calling for chateaux to reduce their prices after next year’s barrel tastings.

France allows regions to do away with traditional ‘ban des vendanges’

The Graves region of Bordeaux and Bourgeuil in the Loire have become some of the first appellations to do away with the traditional harvest start date, or ‘ban des vendanges’.

Chateau Carbonnieux owner dies

Anthony Perrin, the owner Bordeaux chateau Carbonnieux, has died of lung cancer aged 68.

Didier Dagueneau dies

Didier Dagueneau, one of the greatest Sauvignon Blanc producers in the world, has died in a flying accident at the age of 52.

French harvest down on 2007

The 2008 harvest in France will be smaller than in 2007, due to poor weather conditions and an ongoing uprooting programme.

Hilary Swank buys film rights to French Paradox book

Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank has bought the film rights to best-selling lifestyle book French Women Don’t Get Fat.

Criminals turn wine into weed

Vineyards in Washington are being bought and converted to marijuana farms by organised crime outfits, US state officials say.