Welcome to our May edition which this month features 'what we've been drinking recently', our recent trip to Bordeaux plus the '50 Years of Clos des Goisses' event at Michelin starred restaurant 'The Ledbury'.

As well as this, you can read Michael Schuster's full vintage report on 2010 Bordeaux, which is also available to view in the En Primeur section of our website and where we urge you to place your pre-orders with release now imminent.

If you missed our Market Analysis or haven't had a chance to read it yet, we have included some headlines below.

Lastly, as we approach the summer, now is the time to be stocking up on some fizz, rosé and whites. Keep reading to see our recommendations.

How romantic the legendary notion that the infamous Benedictine monk, Monsieur Pérignon, stumbled across a refermenting bottle and Champagne was born. How long have we been suckered in to the illusion and mystique created by the Champenoise?

To be honest, I’m not really a massive fan of fizzy drinks. My annual sparkling wine consumption peaked in 2007 at three bottles, and then I discovered Clos des Goisses! It was dressed up as the “Champagne for non-Champagne drinkers”, which was part of its appeal, but the reality was I was hooked.

• The top 2010 reds, as in 2009, are amongst the finest for fifty years or more.
• Good to great wines across the region, notably fine Cabernets from the Médoc.
• Red wines: high in alcohol, and in tannin, and in acidity.
• In spite of very high tannin the best clarets have an exquisitely fine texture.
• Dry Whites: an exceptionally fine year.
• Sauternes: very good, very appealing, rather than great.
• A late ripening and very dry year, but also a notably cool one.
• Exceptionally healthy fruit.

I love the childish excitement I get in the run up to the annual trip to Bordeaux around late March/early April for the yearly en primeur tastings.

It's not just the anticipation of discovering the quality of the vintage but knowing that during the week you will spend some quality time with your colleagues and enjoy some good food, decent wines and a few giggles along the way.

With so many of the team now in place it’s almost like a school outing making sure everyone makes it across the zebra crossing in one go, and the whole thing is run with such military precision that Jason Bourne would be proud.

Read the most up-to-date and authoritative report on the Bordeaux market.

Headlines:

• Strong market sees 9.8% appreciation on the quarter
• Boisterous trade takes Q1 turnover to record highs
• Super Seconds lead the pack on the back of hefty demand
• Mouton and Haut Brion take the plaudits amongst the 1st Growths
• Young and 'minor' vintages dominate on turnover and price performance

We have picked out three of the many wines that the team at BI have been indulging in recently.

First in line we have Fleur de Clinet 2008 – “Crisp, sun-baked red fruits and soft tannins.  Forward and approachable.” 90 Points - Kristie Adams, Private & On-Trade Sales

As summer is round the corner, and generally the main topic of conversation other than Bordeaux 2010 has been about which wines we are going to stock up on, to drink over the summer.

We have picked out our three favourites, including the “…particularly good value” 90 points Robert Parker, Pol Roger NV – this is one that will never let you down.

For those of you who want to learn more about tasting wine, or if you know of anyone who is keen to educate their palates, join Michael on his beginner's course. It offers great value for money, and is the best way to learn a variety of tasting techniques, what to expect from different types of wine, which qualities to look for, how to describe them, and combining wine with food.

Sign up: Tuesday 14th June until Tuesday 26th July 2011 – runs every week for 6 weeks.

Talking about education, we have recently published our own vintage chart, created by the Bordeaux Index team. The purpose of this wallet size chart is to help guide you on what to choose when picking from a restaurant wine list or deciding on what to add to your cellar. Our chart is designed to simplify the process for you by rating wines from various vintages and to illustrate what is drinking right now and what should be laid down. In addition, we have listed some tips on serving fine wine and recommendations on when and if to decant.

Why Margaux?

• Most undervalued prime vintage First Growth.
• Likely 25%+ discount to 2010 Margaux, En-Primeur.
• 50+% discount to 1996 Lafite.

As if confirmation were required, the decision to send Paul Pontallier's son to Hong Kong shows where the attention of the 1st Growth owners now lies. Whilst not quite holding the status of Lafite, Margaux vies with Mouton as one of the fastest growing first growths by sales to Asia. The effort put in to raising its profile over the last few years is likely to continue to bear fruit in the medium-term.