New world wines star in Paris thanks to Internet

The Internet has changed the meaning of mail, transformed retail shopping and

travel, and now, a wine retailer believes it can break down the barrier between

French wine enthusiasts and new world producers, a Reuters report quotes.

Internet wine retail site www.1855.com organized recently, what many

considered to be a small revolution when it gathered some 350 oeno­philes from

across France to compare the offerings of 30 biggest wine producers around the

world.

One of the biggest online wine traders in France-1855.com's name refers to

the 1855 classification of the big Bordeaux houses-is happy to sell Bordeaux

next to Chilean Cabernet and Napa Valley wine alongside the best of Burgundy.

“We have always had the vision to build the largest choice of wines of the

world. And in the fine wine world as in painting, writing, or any other artistic

dimension you find such fine wines in all countries,” Emeric Sauty de Chalon,

Co-Founder 1855.com said.

Chalon and university chum Thierry Maincent created the firm in 1995. Now in

their early 30s, they are intent on creating the world's number one distributor

of fine wines.

The site offers the great classic Bordeaux and Burgundy vintages-a 1986

Chateau Beychevelle for some €150 ($234.4) or a Gevrey Chambertin 2004 at

€260-or the chance to buy futures in the 2007 Bordeaux vintage. Its best-selling

wine, however, is a Finca Sobreno Toro Crianza 2004 from Rioja, Spain, for less

than 10 euros, followed by 10 French wines and champagnes.

At #12 is a Escudo Rojo 2005 from Chile, for 11.50 euros per bottle and at

#15 is the Concha Y Toro Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, both from

the Maipo Valley.

Source: Dataquest