Fine wine news roundup: 9-15 March

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Haut-Bailly renames second and third wines

Haut-Bailly renames second and third wines

Pessac-Léognan estate Chateau Haut Bailly has revealed the new names for its second and third labels, as well as some minor design changes.

Its second label, known as ‘La Parde de Haut-Bailly’ since 1967, will be renamed ‘Haut Bailly II’. The third label, previously known as ‘Pessac-Leogan’ since 1987, will be rebranded as ‘HB’.

The estate’s Grand Vin remains the same, and these changes will come into effect with the 2018 vintage.

 

‘Exceptional wines’ to be auctioned for good cause

Exceptional wines' to be auctioned for good cause

Some of Burgundy’s top winemakers have contributed bottles to a sale taking place later this month that aims to raise money for theatrical institute Maison Jacques Copeau.

Domaine Roulet, Domaine Frederic Mugnier, Domaine de la Romanee-Conti and Domaine Lambrays have all contributed to the sale, which Christie’s will hold in London on 20 March.

Particular highlights include six magnums of 1996 Chambertin from Domaine Armand Rousseau (£20,000-£30,000); six bottles of 1979 Krug (£3,500-£4,800); 12 bottles of 1988 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti (£200,000-£250,000) and a Jeroboam of 2010 Meursault ‘Les Perrieres’ from Domaine Roulot (£3,000-£4,000).

 

Winemakers come together to create ‘English wine region’

Winemakers come together to create 'English wine region'

Fine vineyards in the Surrey Hills have joined forces to create a new English wine region – ‘Vineyards of the Surrey Hills’.

The initiative follows similar collaborations in Kent, Sussex and Hampshire, and includes Denbies Wine Estate, High Clandon, Albury, Chilworth Manor and Greyfriars.

“England is now internationally recognised as a leading producer of top quality wines,” said Nick Wenman, owner of Albury Organic Vineyard and chair of Wine GB South East. “We are proud to be putting Surrey on the map as a premium wine region, offering some of the very best wines and visitor experiences that England has to share.”

The collaboration will be officially launched on 8-9 June, where each winery will host unique open days for visitors.

 

‘Maverick’ investor’s $26m wine collection set to break records

Maverick investor's $26m wine collection set to break records

Sotheby’s next fine wine sale in Hong Kong, dubbed ‘Tran-scend-end Wines’, is set to smash records thanks to the personal collection of an anonymous seller.

Carrying an estimate of HK$147m to HK$206m (US$19m to US$26m), the sale features 2,704 lots encompassing 16,889 bottles from Burgundy, Champagne, Rhone, Bordeaux and Italy. Top labels include Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Domaine Coche Dury, Dom Perignon and Domaine Leroy, among others.

The anonymous seller revealed to South China Morning Post that “I am quite a maverick in my investment style… same goes for wine purchasing.” He added that most people in the world of finance and investment know who he is, but “I don’t see much added value by putting my name next to these legendary wine producers. They are legends, not me.”

The collection goes under the hammer from 29-31 March.

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