Irish look to fine wine
IRISH investors are increasingly turning to fine wine amid dwindling returns for other forms of investment, according to a local wine merchant.
James Nicholson, of JNwine.com, said its investor customers had secured an annual return of about 23 per cent for their wine portfolios.
“The economic downturn, particularly poor returns from the stock market and property, has prompted people to look elsewhere and wine is attracting increasing attention as a commodity which can be expected to rise in value.”
Some of the company’s customers had doubled their initial investment in two years, but Nicholson emphasised that the level of return was largely dictated by the quality of the vintage and the demand for specific wines.
“With banks offering low interest rates on savings and uncertainty in the world markets, people are seeking out alternative places to put their money,” he added.
Pour champagne like beer
FRENCH scientists have discovered the secret to keeping the fizz in a glass of Champagne: pour it like a beer.
Decanter reports that a new study reveals the sparkling wine remains bubbly longer when poured at an angle rather than pouring straight into the glass and waiting for the mousse to settle before topping up.
However, Tom Stevenson, chairman of the Decanter World Wine Awards’ Champagne panel, said: “Pouring Champagne like a lager is seen as a really naff way to serve it. You would not see a sommelier doing it in a million years.”
The research also discovered that Champagne served at lower temperatures retains its fizz. At higher temperatures, carbon dioxide is lost more quickly.
Russia bans wine imports
RUSSIA has banned wine imports from the former Soviet republic of Moldova after a leading health official claimed it “should be used to paint fences”.
Moldovan wine has benefited in recent years form Russia taking up to 80 per cent of its exports as well as a number of Moldovan wines winning critics approval at the Decanter World Wine Awards including one winning silver.
The Russian customs service has stopped Moldovan wine from entering the country over concerns about quality and health risks, according to news agency Reuters.
In the three weeks to 15 July, the Russian customs agency said there were more than half a million bottles labelled as ‘poor quality’ and more than 90 batches failing to meet hygiene standards.
The Moldovan wine industry has also been the victim of deteriorating relations with Russia. Moldova’s acting president angered Moscow, claiming Soviet rule amounted to occupation.
