Glengarry is New Zealand’s pre-eminent supplier of Bordeaux, leading the market in terms of cases shipped and dollar turnover. This has been achieved mainly through our loyal customers and our respected relationships with the best négociants which enables us to offer a comprehensive range of wines from the region.

With our long-standing relationships and our experience honed over 30-odd years, we are old hands at this and once again we made the commitment this year to ensure you the best service and advice. It’s on the back of these great associations that we have not one, two or six, but an impressive 14 properties joining us here in New Zealand during March: Domaine de Chevalier – Pessac Léognan; Haut Bailly – Pessac Léognan; Brane Cantenac – Margaux; d’Issan – Margaux; Beychevelle - St Julien; Langoa Barton - St Julien; Leoville Barton - St Julien; Pedesclaux – Pauillac; Grand Puy Lacoste – Pauillac; Pontet Canet – Pauillac; Lilian Ladouys – St Estèphe; Phelan Segur – Saint Estèphe; Larcis Ducasse – Saint Émilion; and Pavie-Macquin – Saint Émilion.

With representatives from all of these properties here, we have scheduled two impressive events that are not to be missed. We’ll start with a very special tasting, where each estate will be presenting their wines from the amazing 2016 vintage. The more time these spend in bottle, the clearer it is that this is one of the finest years ever for Bordeaux – maybe even better than the famed 2015. This will be a walk-around event from 4.30pm to 6.30pm where you can go from one château to another and talk with them as you taste.

Following that, a fantastic dinner with these Bordeaux estates. The opportunity to dine and enjoy a beautiful three course meal with the representatives from these châteaux, one of whom will be joining each table. Each of the estates will be providing an older vintage of their Grand Vin to enjoy, all in the picturesque setting that is Sails Restaurant.

Both events are on the same day, Tuesday 10th March 2020, with a ticket price of $49 for the walk-around tasting, $195 for the dinner and $210 for both events. These not to be missed events are a unique opportunity to try the wines of these properties and meet those behind them.

While on the subject of all things Bordeaux, a little about this wonderful wine region. Bordeaux is located in the south-west of France and is the wine region that produces more top-quality wine than any other. Bordeaux is renowned for its reds, which are often referred to as claret. The reason these wines attract so much interest, and generate such high prices, is largely their ability to age, with a lot of them not showing their true potential for decades. The main red grapes grown are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The most famous white region is that of Sauternes, where the world’s most luscious dessert wines come from. The white wines from Bordeaux are made with Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and in some cases Muscadelle. The very best white wines, like red wines from Bordeaux, are extremely age worthy.

Bordeaux is neatly divided into two groupings of appellations – those on the left bank of the Gironde River and those on the right, with the Dordogne running through them. Generally, the left bank is home to Cabernet-driven wines and the right bank to Merlot-dominant expressions. The appellations on the left bank include: Margaux, Pauillac, St Julien and St Estèphe. The appellations on the right bank include: Fronsac, Lalande de Pomerol and the two great appellations of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.

The city of Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the heart of this unique region. At the centre of all trade here is the négociant system, an historic route to market that remains strong today. The châteaux sell their wines to négociants, who in turn offer them to their partners around the world. Essentially an open trading market, with a few exceptions – we are after all in France.

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