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Second Growth Bordeaux Wine
The classification of Bordeaux wines took place back in 1855. At that time five classifications
based on quality were created. This page focuses on all of the Second Growth Wines.
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.
What Bordeaux wineries are 'Second Growths'?
Second Growth is the 'second level' ranking for French wineries in Bordeaux. There are 14 Second
Growths wine producers which were give the designation back in 1855. One
winery, Château Mouton-Rothschild was promoted from Second Growth to First Growth in 1973.
The list of Second Growths is:
- Château Rausan-Segla, Margaux (Château Rauzan-Segla)
- Château Rauzan-Gassies, Margaux
- Château Leoville Las Cases, St.-Julien
- Château Leoville Poyferre, St.-Julien
- Château Leoville Barton, St.-Julien
- Château Durfort-Vivens, Margaux
- Château Gruaud-Larose, St.-Julien
- Château Lascombes, Margaux
- Château Brane-Cantenac, Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
- Château Pichon Longueville Baron, Pauillac
- Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac
- Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, St.-Julien
- Château Cos d'Estournel, St.-Estephe
- Château Montrose, St.-Estephe
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!
Coming soon a list of the Second Growth wineries and their second labels.
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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