Berry Bros’ annual burgundy tasting yesterday in a giant marble hall close to Westminster Abbey was more of a formality than a necessity in that their allocations of many of the grandest wines are already sold out. The role of their staff at the tasting was not so much directing customers to the order table but hovering round the producers’ tables pleading with them for more wine.
Burgundians know however that the American market for burgundy is likely to be stronger than for some time so it’s unlikely that they will suddenly decide to double their allocations for...