”Bordeaux 1er Cru” – what is it?

Most wine lovers would probably not hesitate, with a longing in their eyes, to say that Bordeaux Premier Cru refers to the top five chateaux in the 1855 classification: Chx Margaux, Mouton, Haut-Brion, Latour and Lafite. But brace yourself for this… The producers syndicate for Bordeaux Supérieur has tabled a suggestion that the appellation “Bordeaux Supérieur” (one notch above “simple” AC Bordeaux) should change name to “Bordeaux 1er Cru”. Apparently due to an EU rule that will prohibit the use of “supérieur” on labels. What a splendid suggestion – create an appellation name that will totally confuse consumers. Let’s hope that it will face the same fate as “Chaume 1er Cru”, an appellation crated with the approval of the INAO in 2003, only to later be annulled by a court order as inappropriate and confusing. (We may add that as an alternative to “Premier Cru” the name “Grand Cru” has been suggested…! Perhaps they should be a bit more concerned with us consumers and with selling their wines rather than with silly word magic?) Yves-Damecourt.com and NewBordeaux

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