This week I travelled to Burgundy to finalise prices for the 2008 vintage and more importantly agree the year’s blends of our Macon Village. This wine was new in the range last year and pleasingly sold very well.

There is no doubt that 2009 will be a difficult year for most people and the wine industry is bracing itself. For UK buyers the slide in the value of the pound versus the Euro makes European wine almost 20% more expensive than last year before we even begin discussing the harvest. There is not this level of profit for either the wine producer or retailer to absorb this amount of cost increase so unfortunately we have had to put retail prices up.

To compound the problem 2008 was a very bad year for white wine yields across France. Hail in the spring has meant that in many areas there was only 70% of normal production. This has led to further cost increases as the French supermarkets are buying any French white wine they can get their hands on.

On the positive side the quality in Macon is much better in 2008 than in 2007 with fresher apple/ pear aromas, a gentle citrus undertone and a hint of minerality. Our producer has also invested in new equipment and has refined their wine making techniques which mean we will have a truly lovely wine for this year. Now that the blend is agreed the new vintage could be in stores by the end of February.

Look out for it and I hope you agree with me about the quality