It has been a great start of the week for P.R. Grisley Co. as news has been flying in from Europe on two wineries we import from, Quinta de Gomariz from Portugal and Baron de Montfort from France. Both wineries have received awards for their wine making in their respective countries and we couldn’t be happier for both wineries!!!

 Our good friend Bertrand de Sercey and the team at Baron de Montfort have been awarded two silver medals in recognition for the 2006 vintage of BOTH the Chateau Lagrange Monbadon and the Chateau de Monbadon in an annual competition held in Bordeaux. The “Concours de Bordeaux” is a certified organization that was set up to allow Bordeaux producers to compete with each other and all wines are blind tasted by wine professionals. We currently sell the 2005 Chateau de Monbadon and the 2003 Chateau Lagrange Monbadon in selected markets, but we look forward to receiving the 2006 vintage of these wines in the future. It’s encouraging to know that Baron de Monfort continues to produce award-winning wines and we look forward to enjoying these upcoming vintages.

 Quinta de Gomariz had a VERY big weekend, taking home five awards in two different competions for their fantastic vinho verde wines. The first competition was the annual Vinho Verde Competition and was held in the city of Braga in northern Portugal. Gomariz took home the “best of” award for their 2008 Loureiro in the varietal category, as well as the 2008 Espadeiro (Rose), also for the varietal category. The big winner was their 2008 Colheita Seleccionada, which took home the gold medal in the white wine category. The other competition was the Lisbon National Wine Contest, where the 2008 Loureiro and 2008 Colheita Seleccionada were awarded silver medals. We’ve been working very closely with our good friend Vitor Mendez from Vinixa, who helped make the Gomariz wines available in the US market. As a brand new producer whom we just began working with and recently visited in May, this is very promising and we can’t wait until the Gomariz wines are available in US, which will be in the next month and half.

So, congratulations to both Quinta de Gomariz and Baron de Monfort, keep up the good work and we’ll be sure to raise a glass to you both!!!

– Michael 

Last month we had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Bertrand de Sercey of Baron de Montfort wines for several days and I asked if he would be so kind as to give us his impressions and thoughts on his recent visit. The following was written by Bertrand and gives us an insightful look into one French Marketing director’s take on the economy, wine sales, and my hometown, Salt Lake City.

Enjoy!!

–Michael

On a sunny July in 1978, the 16 year old son of a French expatriate discovered the beauty of

Utah and its National Parks, as well as Wyoming and Colorado.

One can easily imagine the memories engraved.

Well, what do you think is on this (now grown up) man’s mind when he returns back to Salt Lake City for the first time last month!

It was a very special feeling indeed, although it wasn’t the same season!

While now focused on our wine business, I must admit the immense wilderness is still fascinating,

not to mention being on top of the slopes and the warm welcoming of the Grisley family.

As for wine & spirits distribution, the US market is a dictionary on the subject: wet counties, dry ones, free trade states, and monopolies, you name it! (In Europe, only a few Northern countries are still under a government monopoly system). After visiting a couple of those state monopolies, I can only point out the professionalism of their buyers, together with the diversity of the offerings in the stores. All the US state of mind is here! Efficiency without double thinking, and wide-open curiosity for other countries production. Generations of immigrants have brought their food, wine and culture and everybody loves them! Well, let me try something really politically correct (just to make a link with the Bordeaux wines “assemblage,” of course) what if cross-pollination, and obviously blending, was the key of success?

Not sure yet what the effects of the global crisis will be, but, more than the volume consumed itself, the average bottle price will be hit. So check out for the value-for-money small châteaux’s… and you might well stick with them!

Back in a stormy Bordeaux winter, thoughts and prayers are for those around the world who have suffered much more than us of the same events (The Caribbean, Louisiana and Asia).

The first squadrons of migrating birds are flying North over Saint Emilion, announcing spring. Old timers are doubtful… It’ s only 5° C…(41°F)

Don’t blame me for not choosing between birds and beards. One thing I know is that I will be flying back to Salt Lake City!

Have a nice spring,

Bertrand de Sercey

Marketing

Château du Rocher – Saint Emilion Grand Cru

Château de Monbadon – Côtes de Castillon

Château Lagrange Monbadon – Côtes de Castillon