News

  • Primeurs Wines

    By

    What is the en primeur trade system?

    En primeur is a method of purchasing wine early, while it is still in the barrel.

    Originally, en primeur trade was initiated in 18th century. Bordeaux wine merchants went into the castles a few months before the harvest to estimate and buy the crop. The modern system, as we know it today and which includes the famous week of tasting was set up in the 70s.

    En primeur wines made possible for the winemakers to cash in the income of the vintage before starting the new one and for the customer the opportunity to invest before the wine is bottled.

    Payment is made at an early stage of the year or 18 months prior to the official release of a vintage.

    Who’s involved?

    Historically, only the Grands Crus Classés participated in primeur trades, but nowadays, it is most of the high quality domain, Classé or not,

    The benefits of buying en primeur 

    – Be sure to get the lowest price of the market: the reputation of Grands Crus causes an increased price while demand exceeds supply.

    – Anticipate the scarcity: the production of the castles is limited to what the nature has kindly given, some products are often rare, and buying them en primeur is the guarantee that you will have the wanted wine.

    The wine trade :

    To taste the en primeur wines, the properties of Bordeaux produce samples from young barrel from the previous year’s harvest. Samples are then tasted at the wine trade in Bordeaux. The Castles release for sale some of their production at an opening price.

    After a weeklong trade, the press and the great tasters write their report and grade the wines. It’s after this phase that the castles put their wines on the market.

    The wines are only sold to merchants from La Place de Bordeaux then they sell them to importers all over the world.

     

  • What Is a Grand Cru?

    By

     

    The term “Grand Cru” is French for “great growth” refers to the biggest and most reputed wine of the Castle. It points out the parcel where grapes grow best.

    This term has different meaning from wine region to another, as there are two categories:
    “Grand Cru Classé” and “AOC Grand Cru”.

    Continue reading What Is a Grand Cru?

  • How To Boost Your Sales For Christmas

    By

    Christmas season is probably the most important time of the year as it is one of the most profitable periods for many businesses. As families and friends gather and reunite with each other, we aim to offer the best products to meet our customers’ demands and match their expectations.

    During the holiday’s season, people are quite often dealing with questions such as : What to offer? What should I choose? What’s best for him/her? 

    Continue reading How To Boost Your Sales For Christmas

  • Cuvelier Fauvarque

    By

    Winepalette partner Cuvelier & Fauvarque is celebrating its 230th Anniversary this year. If you havent’s heard of it yet, you can find its fascinating history below.

     

    Cuvelier Fauvarque is the biggest independent wine negociant in the North of France. They offer all types of wines from French (but not only) wineries, thanks to their passion and qualification. Maison Cuvelier (1804) and Maison Fauvarque (1787) were two distinct companies till 1985.  At the dawn of the eighteenth century the two families, Fauvarque (around Quesnoy-sur-Deûle, North of France) and Cuvelier (Haubourdin, North of France), set up their wine trading businesses.

    Continue reading Cuvelier Fauvarque