Report from Bordeaux

Great tasting weather here: clear skies, high pressure and mild sunshine. There are exceptional numbers of both British and American merchants – and doubtless those of other nationalities whom I don't recognise. But they'll have to work hard to pick out the goodies from the baddies. There are many, many disappointing wines – especially but by no means exclusively on the right bank.

Corinne Mentzelopoulos was a bit depressing yesterday. "Prices are going to go up", she said, quite matter-of-factly, "because we can tell how much demand there is by the number of letters piling up." Turns out it's the...