MEININGER‘S WBI - 4 - 2020 environmentally certified, red wines are are wines red certified, environmentally already was area wine-growing 65% of the In 2019, fields. various in but pioneers people young not only experiment; to keen is and concepts progressive developing is generation ever. Anew than active more action, and thinking innovative and responsible for capacity ’s demonstrate which questions, these all to answers are There or classic? zeitgeist more Bordeaux Is of sustainability? terms done in being is What change? of climate challenges the W There isalotThere to discover! to it.Becausewhenitcomes Theslogan ofBordeauxwines hassomuch truth BORDEAUX IS SUSTAINABLE, ❯ specialreport do winegrowers deal with with deal do winegrowers How like? look tomorrow and of today Bordeaux the does hat to Bordeaux, it is worth taking a closer look and questioning your acloserlookandquestioning to taking Bordeaux, itisworth own knowledge. MODERN AND DIVERSE AT SECOND GLANCE: again. But one thing at atime. one thing But again. implemented being increasingly are gravity, of principle the to according mash and grapes of processing the as such methods original Also, booming. is deBordeaux Crémant and rise on the are rosés relevance, gaining are wines white dry modern, more becoming goal is ambitious: 100% of vineyards 100% of vineyards ambitious: is goal industry’s The biodiversity. and viticulture sustainable and responsible to committed The ‘ecologicalBordeaux’ For over 20 years, Bordeaux has been been has Bordeaux For over 20 years, - 100%sustainable! environmental process by 2030 process environmental the in included be to envisioned are new grape varieties. Therefore, Bordeaux is Bordeaux Therefore, varieties. grape new of six of atotal approval put the for were Applications change. climate to adapt region help to the 2019In started was project apilot 2013. and 2008 between by 9% reduced been have emissions gas Greenhouse wineries. 2019 over 1,000 in certified value) well with environmental (high HVE the awarded be to department French first the is region TheGironde specifications. its in measures agricultural environmental include to region wine AOP first the is Bordelais The it. way achieving to on their well are they — and and BEST PRACTISES a manual of best practices is available on request from the CIVB

CHÂTEAU BOURDICOTTE ET GRAND FERRAND 179 ha - Aop Bordeaux Supérieur Member of the 1. Association of UMS with certification according to ISO 14001 and HVE “We have planted 220 meters of clearly leading the way in dealing with the integrating the so-called gravitation protective hedges with native bushes on challenges posed by climate change. What principle: During processing, the grapes and some of our plots. These natural barriers concrete measures are leading to these great the mash are transported by natural gravity are a home for bats that are crazy about milestones? from one operation to the next. This avoids grape berry moth (which damages One of the most important ones is the mechanical pumping and strain on the the grapes). To assess the biodiversity active protection of the environment. Above grape. A further advantage is that, thanks of the domain, we have compiled an all, it is a matter of preserving the diversity to this gentle processing, wines are richer in inventory of the flora and fauna. The of flora and fauna—an important sign of extract. aim of this diagnosis is to evaluate healthy, balanced vineyards—working Good to know: With its EMS (Environmental the functioning of the installations towards climate neutrality and reducing the Management System), the CIVB has been present on the domain and to point out use of pesticides in the long run. Eighty- offering an intact infrastructure since 2010, possible qualitative and quantitative five percent of the vineyard area has been enabling every producer to become part of deficiencies”. greened, and more and more winegrowers the collective effort. Jean-Baptiste Soula, Director General are practicing organic and biodynamic working styles. In addition, the winegrowers The unknown Bordeaux CHÂTEAU GUIRAUD of Bordeaux are, as in the past, increasingly – surprises guaranteed 112 ha – Sauternes Member of the 1. Association of UMS Talking about Crémant de Bordeaux. A with certification according to ISO share with great growth potential: This light 14001 and HVE sparkling wine is considered a speciality and “Biodiversity was subject of a census has been creating a success story for several in 2010 and revealed 653 species of years now. Even its production—comparable to arthropods. There are numerous refuges that of Champagne through traditional bottle on the cultivated area: hedges, forests, fermentation—is an indication of exceptional trees, insect hotels, walls and huts. Since quality. These quality criteria as well as the 2015, we have grown numerous varieties production criteria were manifested in 1990 of tomatoes, aromatic plants and flowers. by the classification as AOC, although the This garden is another refuge for insects, category has existed since the 19th century. A in addition to the many agro-ecological lot has happened since then and the producers infrastructures already present on the have worked consistently on the taste of the estate. crémant. As of 2019, about 800 hectares are Luc Planty, Director cultivated for sparkling wines in Bordeaux. For both Crémant de Bordeaux Blanc and Crémant de Bordeaux Rosé all the grape varieties are allowed. Re-created from the classic Bordeaux grape varieties. In 2018, 69 % white Crémants and 31 % Crémant Rosé were produced. In general, these are light, fresh sparkling wines that should be drunk young. To meet the AOC standards, the grapes must ❯ special report

CRÉMANTS AND WHITE WINES OF THE TOP 50 BORDEAUX SELECTION LISENNES BLANC PREMIUS CHÂTEAU LA GRANDE BLANC DE CLOTTE 2015 BRULESÉCAILLE 2017 CRÉMANT CRÉMANT BORDEAUX CÔTES DE BOURG DE BORDEAUX DE BORDEAUX ROSÉ Muscadelle, Sauvignon SAUVIGNON BLANC Muscadelle, Sauvignon Cabernet Franc, Merlot Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Retail price: 10,00 - Blanc, Sémillon Retail price: 15,00 - Sémillon 14,99 € Retail price: 10,00 - 19,99 € Retail price: 20,00 - In the nose, gooseberry 14,99 € Pink candy colour 30,00 € aromas are pleasing, Foamy Mousseux. with fine perlage. Classic Bordeaux combined with fine Intense fragrance, Fresh and fruity with with aromas of ripe woody overtones, combined with the smell of red berry fruit, paired with which continue on the nuances of kiwi and peach, fruits. At palate lively fresh with some wood. On the palate, the palate and, together with the tastes freshly green apples with perfectly integrated sweetness pleasantly integrated acidity fruit and acidity, offer a nice a certain herbal spice. and good length. makes the wine quite lively and melt and good length. offers a powerful finish.

be harvested by hand and the crémant must CHÂTEAU HAUT RIAN 48 ha - has to be produced according to the traditional Entre Deux Mers bottle fermentation process. Certification according to Terra For a long time Bordeaux’s dry white wines Vitis and HVE were underestimated. The fact that until the “Our vineyard covers 85 hectares, 1970s even more white than red wine was divided into 87 plots of land with produced has been long forgotten. Today, a few hectares for the smallest to 10 appellations produce white wines; the almost 4 hectares for the largest! average yield is 475,000 hl and 63m bottles These plots are spread over five per year (9% of total production). Bordeaux villages (, Béguey, Laroque, was the home of Professor Denis Dubourdieu, Capian, Cardan and ), which allows us to have a real diversity of soils, climates the ‘Sauvignon Blanc Pope’, who, with his and therefore grape varieties. Half of the wines we produce are dry white and rosé wines. team, made a decisive contribution to the Instead of super power and super aromas, we focus on the right balance of fruit, tannins understanding and influence of white grape and complexity. What I particularly like about Bordeaux is that all the winemakers of varieties. Typically, today’s cuvées consist the younger generation work together instead of against each other – we are actually all primarily of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and friends,” says administrator Pauline Dietrich. She is the daughter of the founder Michel Muscadelle. There are two styles: fresh fruity Dietrich (originally from Kaysersberg in Alsace) and studied Management & Financial white wines—for example from the Entre- Economics at the renowned HEC Paris (École des hautes études commerciales). Deux-Mers—and structured white wines with ageing potential from the Graves region. COOPERATIVE TERRE DE VIGNERONS The innovative 15,000 ha Bordeaux – taste Terre de Vignerons is a production reinvented and marketing association of twelve winegrowers’ cooperatives in Bordeaux is known and appreciated Entre-deux-Mers (in the ) worldwide for its red wines. Beyond the and in the Pays Duraquois (in classics, there is an evolution of more Lot-et-Garonne). The cooperative contemporary wine styles and unexpected represents a large number of cuvées. The red wines have really established families, terroirs and wines. The basis of the good cooperation of all are common values a modern style over the past few years: smooth like solidarity, authenticity, performance and togetherness. wines, fruity and young, ready to drink at one to three years of age. They are less PRESENT SUITABLE WINES FROM THESE CATEGORIES FROM THE TOP 50 CHÂTEAU FRANC- CHÂTEAU PEY LA TOUR RÉ­ CHÂTEAU CARMENÈRE CHÂTEAU DE PIOTE - CUVÉE BAUDRON 2016 SERVE DU CHÂTEAU 2016 2015 JARRE MERLOT 2015 MONTAGNE BORDEAUX HAUT-MÉDOC MERLOT SAINT-ÉMILION SUPÉRIEUR Cabernet Sauvignon, Biodynamic Cabernet Franc, Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Merlot Retail price: 20,00 - Biological Merlot, Petit Verdot Retail price: 20,00 - 30,00 € Retail price: 10,00 - Sustainable viticulture 30,00 € Dark ruby red color 14,99 € Retail price: 10,00 - Dark red color with in appearance. Opaque and dark red in 14,99 € discreetly bluish In the fragrance appearance, aromas flow Dark violet in Color, reflexes. Fruity notes very complex with from Vanilla and black aroma of black currant, from dark berry-fruits, aromas of red fruits, cherry. The wine is full-bodied combined with dark wild paired with a sweetish woody paired with spicy notes. On with velvety soft tannins and a berries, on the palate pleases overtone. In the mouth, fullness the palate very exciting due to finish of black chocolate. its juicy nature, combined with and fruit are perfectly combined. its complexity, but also easily strength and good length. accessible.

woody—some even mature in amphorae— to offer promising wines suiting changing The top 50 - that’s and reflect the terroir to perfection through consumer preferences and consumption Bordeaux today minimal intervention in the vineyard. occasions both for at-home drinking Bordeaux winemakers are re-introducing old pleasures as well as the gastronomy. Fuss-free drinking pleasure for every or indigenous grape varieties (Petit Verdot, day in all shades at affordable retail prices Carménère, Malbec) to produced unexpected The human Bordeaux from €5 to €30—this is certainly not the blends or even single grape varieties cuvées. - cosmopolitan youth first association wine drinkers These long forgotten grape varieties give and wine merchants the wines new taste dimensions. Cuvées are Innovation and pioneering spirit are a have when they think rather unexpected, varietal wines gain in Bordeaux tradition. But classic in Bordeaux of Bordeaux. But the relevance and are sometimes even sulphur- does not mean traditional! Behind Bordeaux wine region has a free or vegan. Without forgetting their origin wines, a new generation plays a decisive lot to offer within and tradition, Bordeaux producers manage role in shaping the future. It is young people this price range. who have tasted and studied wine all over The current selection the world, who appreciate the values and of the Top 50 Bordeaux simultaneously break new ground. They proves once again how invest, research and develop in Bordeaux and modern and diverse Bordeaux is. Divided believe in the global relevance of the region. into the four categories “sustainable wines”, Associations such as Bordeaux Oxygène, “fresh & light-hearted”, “smooth & fruity” Arômes de jeunesse or Jeunes vignerons and “full-bodied & complex”, the selection des Côtes de Bourg show that they are full 2020 also reflects the most important core of ideas and dynamically implement projects themes in Bordeaux. From well over 300 to rejuvenate Bordeaux in a sustainable wines submitted, a jury of wine merchants, way. And the new CSR (Corporate Social importers, restaurateurs, sommeliers Responsibility) initiative also shows that the and wine bloggers used blind tasting to sector is collectively committed to the social perfectly select the final 50 wines, the responsibility of its companies. The desire for variety of colours and flavours, the quality cosmopolitanism and transparency can be and modernity of the region for the market. felt and experienced throughout the region: For interested wine merchants, the CIVB A few thousand châteaux are opening their offers commercial actions, training, events doors to trade visitors and consumers alike, and promotional material to promote sales offering insights into their daily activities in and encourage customers to discover the harmony with nature. diversity of Bordeaux. W