Bordeaux Wine

Why is French wine so complicated?

The French have been producing wine for a long time. They have also produced much of the worlds most expensive wine. This lead to 'wine fraud' and forced the government to develop rules and regulations to protect the wine makes in Bordeaux, and else where in France!

What Bordeaux wineries are 'First Growths'?

First Growth is the top ranking for a French winery. There are only five 'First Growth', four of which were give the designation back in 1855. One winery received the designation in 1973. Don't expect a new 'First Growth' designation any time soon. The list is:

Château Lafite-Rothschild
Château Margaux
Château Latour
Château Haut-Brion
Château Mouton-Rothschild [added in 1973]

What Bordeaux wineries are 'Second Growths'?

Check out our page on Second Growth Bordeaux Wines

What is a Bordeaux 'First Label' and 'Second Label'?

Many wineries produce more than one wine but in Bordeaux the top wines are very expensive, upwards of $1000CND a bottle. Only their 'First Labels' are able to charge that much a bottle. Their 'Second Labels' are made using the exact same method but the second choice of grapes. The 'Second Labels' are not the 'throphy wines' the 'First Labels' are but are 10% of the cost! Here are a list of the wineries and their second labels.

Ch. Margaux = Pavillon Rouge de Chateau Margaux
Ch. Haut-Brion = Ch. Bahans-Haut-Brion
Ch. Latife Rotschild = Moulin des Carruades
Ch. Latour = Les Forts-de-Latour
Ch. Latife Rotschild = Moulin des Carruades

What are Bordeaux futures?

A very risky wine investment? :) Well, not really that risky but ordering a wine two years before it is released. Some 'wine futures' are so in demand that they sell out the day they are released!

Bordeaux futures are probably the best known wine futures. Some Bordeaux wines don't even come out to the general public.

How long do you have age Bordeaux wines?

Bordeaux wines are built to be aged. Some people think it is a shame to open a bordeaux before for 15 years. Remember, the main thing is your tastes, if you like a bigger wine open it younger. If you like a more subtle wine then age your bordeaux for 20 years. Wondering how and where you should store a wine? Check out this Toronto facility for wine storage.

Hopefully this answers all of your questions on Wine Storage. If you have questions or comments send me an email from our contact page.

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Bordeaux Wine

Why is French wine so complicated?

What Bordeaux wineries are 'First Growths'?

What Bordeaux wineries are 'Second Growths'?

What is a Bordeaux 'First Label' and 'Second Label'?

What are Bordeaux futures?

How long do you have age Bordeaux wines?

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