A Chinese bold vintage opens in Bordeaux

And given the owner's penchant for French wine, there's a large preference for Chateau Renon, which even has its own room at the restaurant. The estate's red comes from hand-picked merlot (85%) and cabernet sauvignon (15%) grapes, is aged in new barrels and is characterised by a ruby colour, a complex nose that's woody, roasted and fruity. It's generally dense and warm, with good depth and length, and with the 2015 being the pick of the recent crop. There's also a sweet white comprising semillon (85%) and sauvignon (15%) grape varieties. The sweet Cadillac is vinified and aged in new barrels. It bears a signature golden colour, with a woody nose redolent of candied fruits and honey, and goes down a storm with the Miso dessert, described as crème brulée – coffee cloud, caramelised pecan nuts and tonka ice cream.

For those desireth of a last drop of global gentrification, there's also the Quanjude Bordeaux Tea Salon, served on authentic Chinese porcelain. Given that Chinese investors have bought around 40% of all Bordeaux vineyards put up for sale in recent years and that by October's end, an estimated 150 chateaux and wineries are now Chinese-owned in Bordeaux, Quanjude's arrival is cultural new vintage. (quanjude-bordeaux.com)