Difficult times in Bordeaux – Let’s increase production!

AOC Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur are one of several regions that have a difficult time. 2008 was a small harvest and some areas were seriously hit by hail in 2009. Export and demand in general is down. Prices are falling. So what is the response from AC Bx & Bx Sup? Increase production. Next year they will introduce an “individual complementary volume” (Volume complémentaire Individuel, VCI) which means that the wine producers can increase their production above the usual limits. In principle to compensate for unforeseen climate effects (unforeseen? Has it never hailed before?). Doesn’t it seem odd to counter-act falling prices and lack of demand by increasing production? That, one would expect, will lead to even lower prices and more surplus. They also hope that the (understandably) much contested new designation Bordeaux 1er Cru will help creating demand. (Hands up all who think that consumers might be mislead into thinking that “Bordeaux 1er Cru” is similar to/same as “Bordeaux Grand Cru Classé”!) More info www.vitisphere.com