Awards and citations:


1997: Le Prix du Champagne Lanson Noble Cuvée Award for investigations into Champagne for the Millennium investment scams

2001: Le Prix Champagne Lanson Ivory Award for investdrinks.org

2011: Vindic d'Or MMXI – 'Meilleur blog anti-1855'

2011: Robert M. Parker, Jnr: ‘This blogger...’:

2012: Born Digital Wine Awards: No Pay No Jay – best investigative wine story

2012: International Wine Challenge – Personality of the Year Award




Sunday 10 September 2017

Yannick Amirault (Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil) celebrates 40 vendanges

Anniversary Audi: 10th September

Yannick and Nicole

Today we were delighted and honoured to be invited to Yannick and Nicole Amirault's celebration of 40 vendanges (harvests) at the family domaine – Domaine Yannick Amirault.

It was a brilliant occasion. The day started at 10.30 am for those who arrived on time (not us on this occasion) and the celebrations were still going when we left sometime al little after 10.30pm. 

A fine quartet of Malgagnes – 1964, 1955, 1948 and 1947

Yannick decanting a bottle of the 1948 Malgagnes

We were treated to speeches from Benoît Amirault as well as Yannick, a tasting of the domaine's wines back to 1947, lunch, a three piece band who played during the afternoon, a visit to Le Grand Clos in part to see the new plantation of Chenin Blanc, which was planted this year. Although the Bourgueil appellation is for red and rosé only principally made from Cabernet Franc, historically in both Bourgueil and Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, there is a tradition of making white wine from Chenin Blanc. 

Early evening we were treated to a performance of Bacchanales Suspect by the troupe Le Bruit Qui Court, a group of actors who are based in Benais  


 The small park of amphores

 The new plantation of Chenin Blanc 

 The ripening Cabernet Franc – looking very good at the moment
The harvest is due to start on 18th September

More photos and notes to follow. 

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