Vinexpo in pictures

db‘s Lucy Shaw imagines she’s relaxing on the French riviera with a magnum of Whispering Angel. However, she’s actually in Hall 1 at Vinexpo Bordeaux.

Antonio Amorim, chairman of Amorim, introduces the cork producer’s “game changing” launch of Helix, a twist-open cork developed in partnership with glass manufacturer O-I.

Despite the rain pouring down during Vinexpo, db managed to admire this dramatic stormy sunset over Bordeaux during dinner with Peter Gago, head winemaker of Penfolds.

Jamie Goode presented to a packed masterclass on Loire Sauvignon Blanc, which featured some of the winners from this year’s Concours Mondial du Sauvignon.

Think Uruguay’s just about Tannat? db broadened its horizons with this Marselan from Juanico winery, run by the Deicas family.

Santa Rita Estates winemaker Andres Ilabaca shows off one of the Chilean producer’s new releases: a Petite Sirah-dominated blend called Bougainville from the 2010 vintage.

Real men drink pink! db’s Rupert Millar prepares to pour Côtes du Rhône producer Cellier des Dauphins’ new rosé to pair with his smoked salmon lunch at Vinexpo.

Purple power – db’s Lucy Shaw was in good company when she chanced upon the Montes stand to find owner Aurelio Montes and his team wearing matching lilac shirts.

Stand and deliver – the staff at Mouton Rothschild stand to attention at the unveiling of the first growth’s impressive new vat room during a gala dinner for 600 at the estate.

db swung by the Champagne Cattier stand to try Armand de Brignac’s newest addition – a demi-sec housed in a ruby red bottle. There are now plans to commercially release the sparkler, which is currently reserved for tastings and dinners.

Negrita Spiced rum spiced things up on an incredibly rainy Tuesday at the fair, with samples of its recently released rum, modelled here by an incarnation of La Negrita herself.

db’s Lucy Shaw and Rupert Millar were treated by Cellar Trends to dinner at the Michelin-starred Le Chapon Fin in the centre of Bordeaux, owned by Sylvie Cazes. Founded in 1825, the restaurant is the oldest still standing in Bordeaux, and has kept its arresting grotto-like original features. Plaques on the walls honour its regular diners, which included artists Toulouse Lautrec, actress Sarah Bernhardt and Spanish monarch Alfonso XIII.

No shrinking violet – flamboyant Bordeaux consultant and former semi-professional rugby player Olivier Dauga kicks back during the fair to chat to db about his latest venture – helping young Bordeaux winemakers raise their profile by offering free consultation and help with listings, distribution and marketing.

db got its first glimpse of the official wines of the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil – Faces – made by Lidio Carraro. Both the white and the red are made with 11 different grape varieties in honour of the 11 members of each team in the competition.

Mayor of Bordeaux, Alain Juppé, addresses members of the press and some of Bordeaux’s leading winemakers at the Conseil des Grands Crus Classés dinner at Château Mouton Rothschild last Sunday.

Errazuriz’ chief winemaker Francisco Beattig looks like he could do with a coffee at the morning Seña masterclass he hosted with owner Eduardo Chadwick. During the tasting, Beattig revealed that he’s seeking a more elegant style with Seña, moving from rich, fruit forward wines to those of a more graceful composition. Seña was co-founded by the godfather of Californian wine, Robert Mondavi, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday this week.

Beronia’s chief winemaker Matías Calleja shows db his new baby – a blend specially crafted to celebrate the Rioja estate’s 40th anniversary.

While much of Vinexpo was a washout, the sun shone for Baroness Philippine de Rothschild throughout the gala dinner she hosted to hail the start of the fair. Guests enjoyed flutes of Domaines Barons de Rothschild Champagne on the lawn to the sounds of a jazz band, before heading inside for dinner. 

The Baroness wore pink.

The apogee of the gala dinner at Château Mouton Rothschild was announced with a fanfare and a procession of waiters armed with Imperials of the 1975 vintage, which was enjoyed with the cheese course.

And finally… we were charmed by this bed of wild flowers flourishing by the roadside at the fair.