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Whether you're planning on a large dinner with family & friends or something more intimate with your loved ones, here are Andrew Azzopardi's wine suggestions for Christmas.

Having supplied some of the richest people on the planet with some of the most expensive wines in the world, I was lucky enough to taste some extraordinarily expensive wines along the way. Some of which were drinking so beautifully that no description could come close to doing it justice, whilst others were rather underwhelming. I guess its human nature to expect more from very expensive products and wine is no different, but price is not always a determinant of quality, so it begs the question, what makes some wines so expensive?

The difference in cost in making bulk wine and premium wine is distinct and I believe that even the most amateur wine-drinkers can tell the difference between a cheap bottle of wine retailing at less than €8 and a mid-level wine retailing at over €20. Just like the difference in a basic 1980’s car to what has become the standard today, the differences are clear.

We often find it rather intimidating to ask a question or two, especially on topics we know little about. Mostly because we are scared the whole room will burst into laughter at the thought of even just asking 'when to use to a decanter'. Fear not, some of these questions are also a basis for disagreement between wine professionals, because at the end of the day wine is all about personal taste. Below are some basic guidelines that should help better your wine experience, but always remember that wine is extremely personal, such that that if you like red wine with fish, or sweet wine with home-made hamburgers, nobody should tell you otherwise!

How did we rate the 2023 Primeur vintage, and how do our ratings compare to renowned critic James Suckling?

We've tasted the Bordeaux Primeurs for the 2023 vintage and its going to be a very interesting campaign. Some really fine wines were produced, but we feel some others fell somewhat short. Here's our report:

After the huge price-increases in 2022, many collectors confidence in the system was heavily dented. With many even questioning the relevance & future of the of the system. We can guarantee you that the Bordelaise have been carefully following the reaction of the 2022 campaign and even though the last vintage was said to be legendary, they know there needs to be a sufficient price cut - if the price cut is what we hope it is, we think we can expect a very interesting and investment-worthy campaign.

A well-organized wine inventory not only ensures that the onboard cellar is stocked with the finest selections of wines & spirits, but also contributes to delivering an impeccable service to guests.

Provenance refers to the documented history of a wine's ownership, storage conditions, and transportation from its production to its current state. Understanding and valuing provenance is not just a matter of prestige; it's a fundamental aspect of ensuring the integrity and value of fine wines. Let's delve into why provenance holds such paramount importance in the realm of fine wine purchases.

Nothing short of the very best international wines for your superyacht. From Champagne to Tuscany to Bordeaux: Here's our recommended top ten wine regions to have on board your yacht

In a time where we are extremely conscious of separating our waste, looking after our natural environment and our health more than ever, it has become normal to ask what chemicals are in the foods we consume, yet wine seems to have sadly fallen a little by the wayside.

Just as the dash of lemon will brighten up the freshly grilled Sea Bream, or the knob of butter to the risotto gives it that silky-smooth and decadent finish, wine should be treated no differently.

A brutally honest opinion of the campaign so far By Andrew Azzopardi

The conversation quickly turned to whether the wine-closure has anything do with the quality of the wine. More than half the table admitted to believing screw cap meant inferior quality - I thought there so many myths that need to be debunked.

Good wine storage on board your super-yacht is key to keeping your wine at it's optimum conditions to evolve at the intended rate.

Every year, winemakers are at the mercy of the weather. That means that the potential quality of the wine produced is often determined by the climatic condition in that vintage year - Here's a breakdown of every year since 1990.

Though wine is unpredictable, there is a method to understanding the aging potential of wine. The acidity, structure and balance of a wine are generally good indicators of the wines potential to improve in the bottle.

Though the wine industry, being rather traditional may have been slow to react compared to other industries, it cannot limit or reverse climate change on its own. I think it should be at the forefront of change. The industry is changing but there needs to be an aggressive movement towards fighting for a government’s response by declaring a crisis. Only then will everyone be required to change their behaviour.

The general consensus is that white wine should be drunk as young as possible. Whilst this is not entirely wrong, there are exceptions to the rule.

How can you tell when wine is of good quality? Quality is an objective matter and as such should be measurable and explainable, yet in practice it is extremely difficult to separate quality from subjective taste and is crucial to taking your wine appreciation to the next level.

Buying premium quality wine when it's still in the barrel is so much easier than you think. Every April, the 'Place de Bordeaux' releases the latest vintage of wines to selected wine merchants (negociants) when they are still maturing in the barrel. Vintage'82 has a very close relationship with these selected wine merchants who give us first priority in securing your case/s of wine.

What do our wine-appreciation students say about our classes?

Wine importers are constantly bombarded by wine producers looking for established businesses to import their wines. So how do we choose which wines we want to represent?

Bordeaux is a magical place. A melting pot of some of the finest food and wine in the world. Andrew Azzopardi recalls his last trip to Bordeaux. The chats with the passionate winemakers about climate change, sustainability and the quality of wine today. All whilst enjoying a lovely home-cooked meal.

En Primeur wines or 'wine futures' are future investments in wine, where one buys wine today but will receive the wine in two years time.