I am at a loss to understand why so many wine writers and non-French wine makers seem to be tempted to criticise Bordeaux for their high prices.

Yes I cannot deny that wines I previously enjoyed I am less able to do so. Wines such as Leoville Barton, Duhart Milon, Grand Puy Lacoste, Lynch Bages etc unfortunately have become prohibitively expensive for my ever thinning pocket. However the choice and quality of wines under £20 is quite superb. The quality has enjoyed a significant uplift at the same time as their more expensive cousins have increased their prices.

You only have to see what is being produced in the less well know appellations of St Estephe, Moulis and  the satellites of St Emilion and Pomerol to realise what great strides are being made.  Rather than being lazy searching out new wines is one of the great pleasures and finding a gem is so very rewarding.

For example Chateau Greysac 2009 is a stunning wine packed but of cassis and raspberries. Ok it is not from a fashionable appellation but it represents terrific value for money.

Whilst I am on the subject of Bordeaux can I encourage that the chateaux  pitch their Bordeaux 2011 en-primeur prices at the drinkers rather than the investors. What with fine wine prices having fallen by as much as 45%, the bubble has been well and truly pricked for the time being. Lafite has been one of the primary casualties. From what I understand 2011 will not be a great vintage and therefore I suspect there will be little appetite if the prices are not corrected.