The Australian Financial Review – ‘Worst Market In 20 Years’. Bordeaux Wine Producers Slash Prices
Tough times for wine producers, but good news for consumers. From the article:
Some of Bordeaux’s top winemakers have slashed prices for their latest vintage of yet-to-be-bottled wines by more than 30 per cent in a further blow to a centuries-old market as wealthy investors step back from fine wine purchases.
A poor quality harvest last year due to heavy rainfall and cooler temperatures, a large amount of higher quality bottled wine already available on the market and a lack of interest among younger collectors have all made this year’s so-called en primeur campaign a particularly tough one for the French region’s producers.
Wine-Searcher – US Cabernet Drinkers Trade Down
W. Blake Gray highlights how recent sales figures spell trouble for producers banking on premium wines to carry them through today’s challenging economy. While Cabernet remains popular among consumers, the era of spending top dollar on average wines appears to be fading fast. Drinkers are increasingly opting for more affordable bottles—and right now, that’s a smart move, as great deals, especially in Cabernet, are easier to find than ever. From the Article:
SipSource analyst Dale Stratton said those figures show three separate trends:
That last part will be of most interest to Wine Searcher readers. Stratton said that of wines $50 and up, volume sales were up 3.3 percent from December to March, but the revenue generated from them was down 5.4 percent. People are still buying expensive wines – even a few more bottles than before. But they’re paying less for them.
VinePair – After Decades of Growth, Could Sliding New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Sales Spell Trouble?
While I like some NZ SB, give me a solid Sancerre any day. From the article:
But there’s a catch. About 85 percent of those New Zealand exports are one lonely variety: Sauvignon Blanc. That’s a whole lot of eggs in one little basket. And concerningly, over the past two years, the value of New Zealand wine exports has seen its first substantial slide in modern history: down to 2018 levels after peaking in 2022.
Wine-Searcher – Wine Fraud Rocks Switzerland
Barnaby Eales uncovers a tale of fast cars, espionage, forgery, and fraudulent blends shaking up Switzerland’s wine industry. While Switzerland’s wine appellations typically produce exceptional bottles, some unscrupulous producers have quietly substituted premium wines with cheap Spanish bulk imports. Among these fraudsters is Swiss winemaker Cédric Flaction, who once flaunted a lavish fleet—including Aston Martins, Ferraris, and Porsches—but now holds notoriety as the first vintner from Valais, Switzerland’s largest wine region, convicted of wine fraud and forgery.
The Wine Cellar at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas, NV (B3 R1 C2 D5 // B18 R1 C2 D1)
Nestled in the vibrant heart of Las Vegas, the Wine Cellar Tasting Room at the Rio Hotel & Casino is a hidden gem that beckons oenophiles and casual wine lovers alike. Reopened in March 2025 after a hiatus due to the Covid pandemic, this venue has reclaimed its place as a top-tier wine destination, blending the charm of tradition with the allure of the modern-day Vegas experience.
2017 Giorgio Sandrone Barolo del Comune di La Morra DOCG 93 Points – $50
A structured yet approachable Barolo, the 2017 Giorgio Sandrone Barolo del Comune di La Morra brings together dark cherry, plum, and earthy depth. With refined tannins and a long finish, it’s a wine built for slow sipping and hearty meals. A true reflection of La Morra’s elegance, ready to drink now or age gracefully.
VooDoo Steak in Las Vegas, NV $100+ and 3 (out of 5) Stars
VooDoo Steak is a tough one to summarize. On one hand, it’s got stunning views, really solid food (those potatoes!), and a sense of old-school Vegas charm. On the other hand, the ambiance is noticeably worn down, the service, though friendly, is overstretched, and the prices place it in a tier where expectations are simply higher.
If you’re staying at the Rio or heading up for the view, it’s worth a visit. And if you’ve just finished a tasting at The Wine Cellar, you may enjoy extending your evening with dinner upstairs. But would we go out of our way to dine here again? Probably not. There are just too many steakhouses in Las Vegas offering better ambiance, better service, and comparable food, often at similar price points.
One Final Note (There May Be Hope)
There may be brighter days ahead for this high-rise steakhouse and the Rio as a whole. According to a recent article from 8 News Now, the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino is undergoing a massive transformation under its new owner, Dreamscape Companies LLC, which plans to invest nearly $340 million into bringing the historic Las Vegas property back to life. That’s not pocket change, and the early phases of this renovation have already introduced remodeled hotel suites, a new food hall, upgraded convention space, refreshed casino offerings, and flashy new exterior lighting to modernize the resort’s presence on the Strip. The ownership group has made it clear that this isn’t just a surface-level facelift—it’s a full reimagining designed to restore the Rio to its former glory and once again make it a must-visit destination in Vegas. For VooDoo Steak, this means there’s a real opportunity to revamp the dining room, reinvest in staff, and polish the overall experience to match the restaurant’s stunning panoramic views and solid culinary foundation. If these improvements trickle up to the 50th floor, we might just see VooDoo Steak evolve from a “maybe try it if you’re here” spot into a legitimate player in the city’s competitive steakhouse scene. There’s real potential here, and we’re rooting for it.
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