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BORDEAUX TODAY DIGITAL TOOLKIT

CONTENTS 2

THE BORDEAUX WINE REGION Map

03

BORDEAUX BY THE NUMBERS

04

BORDEAUX TODAY

06

PRODUCTION IN ALL COLORS

08

DIVERSITY IN STYLES

10

RECENT VINTAGES A Timeline

12

BORDEAUX APPELLATIONS

14

APPELLATION SPOTLIGHT Saint-Émilion-Pomerol-Fronsac

17

APPELLATION SPOTLIGHT Médoc

25

APPELLATION SPOTLIGHT Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur

33

STAY CONNECTED

40

THE BORDEAUX WINE REGION Bordeaux is located in Southwest France and is adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean. Bordeaux’s 65 AOC’s are segmented by three waterways: the Garonne and Dordogne rivers and the Gironde, a 50-mile-long estuary flowing northward into the Atlantic.

3

By the Numbers Bordeaux is located in Southwest France and is adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean. Bordeaux’s 65 AOC’s are segmented by three waterways: the Garonne and Dordogne rivers and the Gironde, a 50-mile-long estuary flowing northward into the Atlantic.

The reputation of Bordeaux wines owes much to their diversity: the variety of soils, microclimates, and talented winegrowers, and the meticulous blending of world-renowned grape varieties, have made Bordeaux synonymous with quality and elegance.

BY THE NUMBERS

THE PEOPLE

300

5,600 Winegrowers

77

Merchants

29

Brokers

Cooperatives

3

Unions

THE TERROIR

273,792

Acres of Planted Vnies

65

Appellations (AOC)

The largest

French AOC vineyard region

55.5 Million cases Average annual production

Bordeaux Today

18

every

Bottles Sold

SECOND The U.S. is a

TOP

Export Market

$

Around the

WORLD 29 MILLION Bottles Sold in 2021

This year, Bordeaux reported the highest 12-month regional growth rate in the past 35 years, driven by strong consumer demand and U.S. hospitality reopening.

Quality and Affordability Bordeaux sets the standard for quality. With an average bottle price of $20 and more than two thousand years of fine winemaking history, Bordeaux offers vast opportunities for consumers to trial wines of distinctive character at accessible price points.

DID YOU KNOW? Only 4% of Bordeaux producers are classified growths.

DID YOU KNOW?

The U.S. is the number one market for dry white Bordeaux, representing 4.13 million bottles

The Art of Blending Bordeaux winemakers have perfected the art of cultivating and blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc for centuries. Blending in Bordeaux is more than a just a mix of grape varieties – it is at the heart of the region’s winemaking DNA.

Diversity and Range of Styles

Bordeaux’s dry white, rosé, and Crémant styles are more diverse and exciting than ever; the red blends are brighter, fresher, more supple and ready-to-drink at an early age; sweet Bordeaux offers adventurous pairing possibilities — there is a Bordeaux bottle for every occasion and price point.

Next Generation Winemaking Bordeaux today has embraced a younger generation of winemakers who bring curiosity, innovation and a modern approach while respecting the region’s tradition and heritage.

Sustainability 75% of Bordeaux producers hold environmental certifications and uphold a collective commitment to sustainable winemaking.

Look for the following logos which designate environmental certifications:

Production in All Colors Bordeaux has 65 designated appellations in total.

This large region can be grouped into 3 main areas: Left Bank, Right Bank, and Entre-Deux-Mers. There are 6 main families that describe the styles of Bordeaux

The reputation of Bordeaux wines owes much to their diversity: the variety of soils, microclimates, and talented winegrowers, and the meticulous blending of world-renowned grape varieties, have made Bordeaux synonymous with quality and elegance.

DID YOU KNOW?

Merlot is the most widely-planted variety in Bordeaux

Three main red varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Sauvignon - Power, Rich Color, Tannin, Ageability, Black Fruits Merlot - Plushness, Texture, Blue and Red Fruits Cabernet Franc - Fragrance, Black and Red Fruits, Freshness

DID YOU KNOW?

Sémillon is the dominant grape variety in Sweet Bordeaux

Two key varieties:

Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon

Sauvignon Blanc - Freshness, Liveliness, Aromatics Sémillon - Mouthfeel, Texture, Ageability

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Diversity in Styles Bordeaux Red Blends

Bordeaux has perfected the art of the red blend over centuries.

Modern reds from Bordeaux are brighter, fresher, and ready-todrink earlier.

Red wines account for 85% of the region’s total production and exports. Red Bordeaux are frequently blends of two, three or more varieties.

Left Bank reds typically possess a Cabernet Sauvignondominant blend Right Bank reds typically possess a Merlot-driven blend.

Dry Whites

Bordeaux’s dry whites are the region’s best kept secret for quality and value.

The US is the # 1 export market for dry white Bordeaux. Accounting for 9% of total production, Bordeaux’s dry whites are Sauvignon Blanc-dominant. Sémillon is added for richness and ageability and used for the production of sweet wines.

Sweet Whites

Sweet Bordeaux offers accessible appeal to sweet wine lovers and a range of aromas from sweet and fruity to complex bouquets.

Wines from Sauternes & Barsac are some of the world’s most age worthy and acclaimed sweet wines, while neighboring appellations like Cérons and Loupiac make accessible sweet and fruity white wines

Up-and-coming: Crémant de Bordeaux and Rosé Crémant de Bordeaux is known for its creamy texture and sales of this style have steadily doubled over the past three years. Customers can also expect top quality rosé at accessible price points made from classic Bordeaux blends or entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

DID YOU KNOW?

Crémant de Bordeaux offers similar quality to Champagne for a fraction of the cost.

Bordeaux Rosés come in styles from pale and light to dark and more structured. Well-known grape varieties produce wines with clear varietal character and firmer structure. They show balance between ripeness and freshness with a diversity of terroir for blending.

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Recent Vintages

Considered a great vintage dry, warm, July with a cool August. Ripe, wellstructured, homogenous.

2014

2016

2015 Nice vintage to sell and drink! Cool and damp during the summer, warm and dry autumn.

Fragrant, high-toned wines that give a lot of early drinking pleasure!

A great vintage with high critical acclaim. Dry summer and cool nights resulted in small, thick-skinned berries.

High acid, high tannin, wonderfully aromatic.

A “classic” and excellent vintage with overall higher acidity than 2018.

Small berries, high levels of anthocyanins, fully ripe and concentrated wines.

Severe frost resulted in the smallest harvest in 25 years.

Good wines in this vintage, especially from the Médoc, but quantities were limited.

2018

2017

2019

Warm and dry summer and autumn. Higher alcohols and lower acidity, ripe, intensely colored and wellstructured. 2018 should be long-lived.

Bordeaux Appellations

Bordeaux enjoys the distinction of being the largest AOP vineyard of France, and this can be attributed to its great diversity of highquality terroirs. The broad range of wines that it produces will satisfy every wine lover for every occasion, while offering a wide price range.

Geographic factors and the styles of wine produced are what define the ‘six families’ of Bordeaux wines.

The following pages provide deep dives into three of the six families: Saint-Émilion-Pomerol-Fronsac, Médoc and Bordeaux/Bordeaux Supérieur.

Saint-Émilion-Pomerol-Fronsac (SEPF)

A region situated on Bordeaux’s world famous Right Bank, SEPF accounts for about 11% of Bordeaux’s red wine production and is rich in history, fine wine, and vineyard diversity.

Médoc

Situated on the Left Bank of the Gironde estuary, Médoc encompasses a huge variety of estates from some of the most iconic châteaux from the 1855 classification, to approachable crus bourgeois, crus artisans and cooperative cellars.

Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur

Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur wines represent over half of all wines produced in the Bordeaux region and produce red, white (sec, off-dry, and medium sweet), rosé, and clairet wines from the classic Bordeaux red and white varieties.

http://www.saint-emilion-pomerol-fronsac.com/

Saint-Émilion -Pomerol-Fronsac

“The hill with a thousand châteaux”

A region situated on Bordeaux’s world famous Right Bank, Saint-Émilion-PomerolFronsac (SEPF) accounts for about 11% of Bordeaux’s red wine production and is rich in history, fine wine, and vineyard diversity. SEPF is home to one of France’s bestfunctioning co-ops: the Union de Producteurs de Saint-Émilion, which brings together 60 châteaux made up of small family estates unified around a rich diversity of terroirs.

“The hill with a thousand châteaux”- SEPF is comprised of predominantly small family estates.

1 Canon Fronsac 2

3 6 3

1 2 1

6

4 5 5 10

4

2 Fronsac 1 Canon Fronsac Lalande-de-Pomerol 2 3Fronsac

7

Lussac Saint-Émilion 3 4Lalande-de-Pomerol

7

10

Montagne-Saint-Émilion Saint-Émilion 4 5Lussac 8 9

Pomerol 5 6Montagne-Saint-Émilion

8 9

Puisseguin Saint-Émilion 6 7Pomerol Saint-Émilion Saint-Émilion 7 8Puisseguin

8 9Saint-Émilion Saint-Émilion grand cru grand cru 9 10Saint-Émilion Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion

10 Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion

PRODUCTION VOLUME LUSSACSAINT-ÉMILION

MONTAGNE SAINT-ÉMILION

12%

10%

LALANDE-DEPOMEROL

6%

FRONSAC

13%

6%

PUISSEGUIN SAINT-ÉMILION

534 843 hl 5% SAINT-ÉMILION ET SAINT-ÉMILION GRAND CRU

43% 2%

2%

Key Selling Points • • • •

POMEROL

CANON FRONSAC SAINT-GEORGESSAINT-ÉMILION

Classic appellations of the Right Bank One of the oldest parts of Bordeaux Merlot dominates (because of the soil!)

Home to many famous classified Châteaux and small producers

KEY FIGURES

Saint-Émilion-Pomerol-Fronsac

8ha

Average Estate Size

11%

Of the Bordeaux area under Vine

At the forefront of innovation with regard to environmental protection

Family-owned estates going back several generations

10

Appellations

12,000 Hectares

Merlot is the main grape variety

530

Prod HL= 70 mill

Wine aging

MERLOT: The Primary Grape Between 60-80% of plantings in SEPF

0,000

duction in = nearly lion bottles

es with good g potential

• Early maturing • Cool, damp, clay soil • Very elegant wines with fruity aromas and a round, smooth structure • Blended with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Carménère and Petit Verdot depending on the typicity of the estate and selection of the winemaker Merlot accounts for the wines’ excellent aromatic richness, color, suppleness, and crunchiness. The bouquet features aromas of red and black fruit, as well as floral notes, gradually revealing fig and prune overtones with age.

TERROIR

Saint-Émilion-Pomerol-Fronsac Pomerol

Montagne-SAINT-ÉMILION Puisseguin SAINT-ÉMILION Saint-Georges-SAINT ÉMILION

Libourne

SAINT-ÉMILION

Sandy-gravel soil

St Christophe des Bardes

Clay-limestone soil

St Hippolyte St Laurent des Combes St Etienne de Lisse

St Sulpice de Faleyrens

St Pey d’Armens Vignonet

Sandy brown soil on a clay subsoil

Asteriated limestone plateau Plateau Slope-plateau Foot of the slopes

( (

Clay-limestone soil on an asteriated limestone subsoil Red and brown clay on an asteriated limestone subsoil Valleys Clay-limestone soil on a Fronsac molasse subsoil Siliceous soil Silty-clay soil on a reworked molasse subsoil

Deep siliceous gravel soil Ancient alluvial and aeolian sandy rises

Siliceous soil Recent gravel Siliceous silty soil

SAINT-ÉMILION FRONSAC

POMEROL

CLASSIFICATION Home to a dynamic but controversial classification system that rewards excellence in terroir, Saint-Émilion was first classified in 1955 with updates occurring every decade.

As of the classification’s most recent revision in 2012: There are 4 Châteaux awarded as

Premier Grand Cru Classé A (PGCC-A) Château Angélus Château Ausone Château Cheval Blanc Château Pavie

14 Premier Grand Cru Classé B (PGGC-B) 64 Grand Cru Classé (GCC) New classification in 2022!

16 June 1955 2 PREMIERS CRUS CLASSÉS

63 GRANDS CRUS CLASSÉS

17 November 1969 12 PREMIERS CRUS CLASSÉS

72 GRANDS CRUS CLASSÉS

23 May 1986 11 PREMIERS CRUS CLASSÉS

65 GRANDS CRUS CLASSÉS

18 PREMIERS CRUS CLASSÉS

64 GRANDS CRUS CLASSÉS

Completed by 2 ministerial decrees in 1958

12 December 2006* 13 PREMIERS CRUS CLASSÉS

55 GRANDS CRUS CLASSÉS

15 PREMIERS CRUS CLASSÉS

46 GRANDS CRUS CLASSÉS

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www.medoc-bordeaux.com/en/

Médoc

Exceptional wines-at-a-glance

Situated on the Left Bank of the Gironde estuary, Médoc encompasses a huge variety of estates from some of the most iconic châteaux from the 1855 classification, to approachable crus bourgeois, crus artisans and cooperative cellars. With both highly affordable and world-famous icons, Médoc offers affordable luxury and excellent value for money thanks to unique terroirs, larger estates, and a combination of traditional and state-of-the-art production techniques.

From the Latin in medio aquae, or “in the middle of the water”, Médoc is bordered by the Gironde estuary on the east and the Atlantic Ocean on the west. The temperate, maritime climate is conducive to healthy vine growth. THERE ARE 8 AOC’S IN THE MÉDOC.

SAINT-ESTÈPHE 8% PAUILLAC 7% SAINT-JULIEN 6%

C DO

C DO

34%

MÉ UTHA

MÉ

LISTRAC-MÉDOC 3%

29%

MOULIS-EN MÉDOC 4%

MARGAUX 9%

PRODUCTION VOLUME SAINT-ESTÈPHE MARGAUX 9%

HAUT-MÉDOC

8%

29 %

PAUILLAC

8%

6%

MÉDOC

33 %

690 814 hl

4%

2%

Key Selling Points

SAINT-JULIEN

MOULIS-EN-MÉDOC

LISTRAC-MÉDOC

• The classic appellations of gravel soils and Cabernet • Known for famous communes and classified wines • Source of several “sleeper” (value) AOCs and châteaux

KEY FIGURES Médoc

15%

Of the Bordeaux area under Vine

All types of crus 600 Châteaux 1000 brands

8

Appellations

600 years of history

16,100 Hectares

of unique terroir

690

Prod HL 92 mill

45% of is

CABERNET SAUVIGNON: The Primary Grape

0,000

duction in L= over lion bottles

f production exported

The main grape variety in the Médoc,

Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for 47% of plantings.

• Late-ripening • Suited to warm, gravelly soil • Blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot depending on the typicity of the estate and selection of the winemaker Cabernet Sauvignon adds intense color and aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, musk and spices to Médoc wines. Lending good acidity and structure, Cabernet Sauvignon from the Médoc is contributes fine tannic structure and excellent aging potential.

TERROIR Médoc

The Médoc terroir features complex geological diversity formed by various glaciation periods, which, alongside erosion, created magnificent gravelly soils. These soils are considered some of the most coveted, finest terroirs in the world.

CLAY-LIMESTONE A mixture of stones and clay

GARONNE GRAVEL Deposits left after flooding by the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers, and the Gironde Estuary

PYRENEAN GRAVEL The oldest gravel soil, consisting of deposits left by rivers flowing down from the mountains

MÉDOC CLASSIFICATIONS In addition to the 8 AOCs, Médoc is also home to other designations, including the famed 1855 Grands Crus Classés, Cru Bourgeois and Cru Artisan.

CRU BOURGEOIS

• The Crus Bourgeois du Médoc classification is awarded for 5 years and consist of 3 categories: Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur and Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel.

• The classification is based on wine quality and additional criteria liked environmentally friendly winegrowing practices.

• 249 Châteaux ranked: 179 Crus Bourgeois, 56 Crus Bourgeois Supérieurs and 14 Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnels.

• The classification will be reviewed every 5 years, with a new list in 2020* and then 2025. * Classified Vintages in this Classification: 2018 to 2022

CRU ARTISAN

• A designation that has been in use for nearly a century and a half for estates where crafts and winegrowing were practiced simultaneously.

• This designation was formally created in 2006, completed in 2021 and reviewed in 2018 • Cru Artisan estates primarily consist of very small family estates where winegrowing traditions have been maintained.

• The classification is reviewed every 5 years.

1855 GRANDS CRUS CLASSÉS

• Established at the request of Napoléon III, the 1855 Classification created a hierarchy of châteaux based on market prices and unwavering quality.

• In total, there are 61 crus in red and 27 crus in white.

5

FIRST GROWTHS

...

14

SECOND GROWTHS

...

14

10 10

THIRD GROWTHS

...

FOURTH FOURTH GROWTHS GROWTHS

. . .. . .

1818

FIFTH GROWTHS FIFTH GROWTHS

. .. . .

FIND THE FULL LIST OF GRANDS CRUS CLASSÉS

Test your Knowledge Link to Quizlet | Password: Bordeaux

www.planete-bordeaux.fr/en

Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur

Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur wines represent over half of all wines produced in the Bordeaux region. Created in 1967, Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur allow winemakers to produce red, white (sec, off-dry, and medium sweet), rosé, and clairet wines from the classic Bordeaux red and white varieties.

Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur are appellations applied to wines made across the Bordeaux wine region and encompass all styles made from classic Bordeaux grape varieties.

PRODUCTION

Key Selling Points • • • •

All encompassing appellation Red, white, rosé, sweet, sparkling The Bordeaux we drink everyday A wealth of varied terroir and winemaking styles to choose from

KEY FIGURES

Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur

52%

Of the Bordeaux area under Vine

A Young and dynamic generation, exciting new cuvées, modern packaging, and Innovative wine tourism initiatives

7

Group

Red, white, Rosé, Clai Bordeaux Supérieur

58,0

Hectar

quality is of prime during production follow-up, marke COMMUNICA

ps

iret, Crémant, Red & White

000

res

e importance n, logistical eting, and ATION

2.3 Million

HL Produced = over 306 million bottles

Modern Wines with a price/quality ratio in keeping with current consumer demands

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THE WINES

Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur

BORDEAUX RED

BORDEAUX SUPÉRIEUR

• Fresh, affordable and unexpected • Best enjoyed young • Promote the modernity of Bordeaux, including new packaging, innovation, wine tourism and groundbreaking cuveés

• Limited to red and mediumsweet white wines • Made from a patchwork of terroirs and varieties across the region • Red wines have stricter production methods: required to undergo élevage until mid-June following harvest

Tasting Notes: deep, rich color with expressive fruit and a light tannic structure Area under vine: 34,840 ha Percent of Production: 64%

Red Tasting Notes: Intense red color with a remarkable aromatic richness and round, complex tannins; good aging potential White Tasting Notes: Made with overripe grapes, this wine is very aromatic and sweet but boasts freshness.

Area under vine: 13,104 ha Percent of production: Red 17.5%; White .02%

BORDEAUX BORDEAUX

• Light styles m the Saignée are lighter in Bordeaux Ro • Produced thr Bordeaux

Rosé Tasting No with distinctive freshness — bes young

Clairet Tasting N color, fuller on t with a touch of refreshing acidit

Area under vine Rosé 3,781 ha; C Percent of Prod Rosé 6%; Clairet

Ripeness is easy to achieve today but was a vastly more important determinant of quality in 1936 Bordeaux Supérieur AOCs were first introduced. Red Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur wines te and aged in older barriques. American oak and oak chips may be employed. They are generally m line? In France, basic Bordeaux wines usually fall under six euros per bottle in price; Bordeaux Sup

ROSÉ AND CLAIRET

made from method, that n style than ouge roughout

otes: pale color lightness and st enjoyed

Notes: bolder the palate, tannin and ty

e: Clairet 497 ha duction: t 0.7%

BORDEAUX WHITE

CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX

• Extremely versatile white wine that can be appreciated anywhere and with any type of food • An aperitif or pair with seafood and roasted chicken dishes.

• There is no going wrong with Bordeaux blanc.

• Produced throughout Bordeaux

• White (69%) & Rosé (31%) • Produced in the méthode traditionelle and perfect as an aperitif or enjoyed throughout a meals • Aged for at least 9 months on the lees • Produced throughout Bordeaux

Tasting Notes: Characterized by light, fruity aromas (apricot, citrus, peach), with hints of floral and toasted aromas from oak barrel aging

Area under vine: 255 ha Percent of Production: 2%

Tasting Notes: delicate bubbles with a long-lasting sparkle

Area under vine: 5,792 ha Percent of Production: 9.5%

6, when the Bordeaux Rouge and end to be dominated by Merlot machine-harvested. The bottom périeur ranges from $7-18.

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