Nausea, a whirlwind and screwcaps in Bordeaux

The Médoc was looking beautifully spring-like last week as I spent a couple of days being sped around by the Conseil des Grands Crus Classés slumming it, tasting 1995s and 1996s at some of the region's smartest addresses. The Conseil had been suggesting such a trip for some time so I grudgingly gave in.

I will be reporting on what I tasted in due course but, even though this was the French school holiday season and various of the major players were in Thailand, the Maldives and the Alps, there was perceptible excitement in the air over the forthcoming primeurs...