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Profile Updates

The web has many inherent advantages over printed publications, a fact noted by Robert Parker last year, who predicted the rise of the internet to become the prime source of information on wine, eclipsing the books and journals that many of us purchase today.

There is, however, one inherent problem for a site such as this, one that has become increasingly apparent to me over the last year or two. With hundreds of producer profiles online, scattered over more than a thousand pages, there's a real danger that many of the pages gradually stagnate. These intermittent profile updates are essential in preventing this. (23/11/05)

Jaboulet has been reported to be underperforming since about the 1997, when Gérard Jaboulet died. Nevertheless, it was still a surprise when it was revealed recently that the family firm had been purchased by the Frey family, who also own Chateau La Lagune. Both profiles have been updated.
The release of the 2001 Yquem vintage saw the highest price ever asked for this Premier Grand Cru Classe, but sales were far from sluggish as cases were snapped up at well over £2000 each. I think it's worthy of mention in my profile.
In July 2005 rumour had it that Taittinger might be up for sale. The families businesses were sold en bloc to Starwood Capital, but the story doesn't end there. My profile contains an up-to-date summary.
The other Champagne house faltering in 2005 was Lanson, which has been through troubled times recently. There's been more uncertainty as a 44% shareholder wants out.
Drinks giant Allied Domecq was taken over by Pernod Ricard, effectively throwing Perrier Jouët and Cockburn's, among others, into new ownership.
The year has seen the passing of a number of great names in wine, including Rene Engel in Burgundy and Hungarian Tibor Gál. In early 2005 Hans Selbach, founder of Selbach-Oster, also passed away. I've made this sad amendment to my profile.
Bollinger has bought neighbouring Ayala (excluding the vineyards), a smaller house, for an undisclosed sum. Doubtless the cash generated by the sale came in very handy when the vendor, Jean-Jacques Frey, fought off others to purchase Jaboulet, as mentioned above. Can we look forward to a new, improved Ayala?
Chateau de la Genaiserie has new owners, passing from Yves Soulez to Lori & Frédéric Julia. I look forward to getting acquainted with their wines.

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