Focus on the new classification

Focus on the much-anticipated new Crus Bourgeois du Médoc Official classification

“The new classification has been created to enable more fluid, longer-term marketing with visibility for five years. The hierarchical structure should enable a clearer explanation of this very large family of wines, and for the châteaux at the top who act as ‘locomotives’ to stay with us, or in some cases to come back”.

Official unveiling of the new classification : Thursday, 20.02.2020, a page turned for the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc and their annual quality assessment procedure.The new classification will now be awarded for five years and consist of three categories: Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur and Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel. A clear, impartial, objective classification which will enable consumers to buy Crus Bourgeois with complete confidence.

A HIERARCHICAL, FIVE-YEAR CLASSIFICATION

This first classification will feature on the labels of the 2018. 2019. 2020. 2021 and 2022 vintages.

The classification also reintroduces a hierarchical structure with three levels: Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur and Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel. The Cru Bourgeois family will now be ranked every five years.

THE NEW CLASSIFICATION: AN APPROACH THAL REWARDS

PROPERTIES AND REASSURES CONSUMERS

Almost 10 years of preparation and consultation were necessary to obtain consent from the public authorities for the creation of this new classification, which recognizes the quality of winegrowers’ work and gives them a longerterm view of their property’s wine. thereby facilitating projects and investments. For consumers, the classification is a guarantee of quality thot enables them to choose a Cru Bourgeois in complete confidence.

SUPERVISED BY A VERIFICATION BODY, THE CLASSIFICATION IS

BASED ON FIVE PILLARS:

•Wine quality (blind tasting of five vintage from all Châteaux. Tasted by two commissions of five independent tasters…)

•The environment

•Study additional criteria (technical itinerary retracing the work from the vineyard to the bottle…)

•Traceability and authentication (QR code authentication sticker)

•Random organoleptic checks.

AN OBJECTIVE, IMPARTIAL CLASSIFICATION

Based on a schedule of requirements and a rigorous verification procedure. the entire classification process is overseen by an independent verification body to ensure a fair and honest ranking. This body ensures impartiality at all stages.

WINE QUALITY & ADDITIONAL CRITERIA

Blind tasting of five vintages is the first criteria on which properties applying for classification are judged. with different requirements for each level. The higher categories of ”Cru Bourgeois Supérieur” and ”Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel” are assessed on two main additional sets of criteria: the technical management of the vineyard and the marketing and promotion of the property.

RECOGNITION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY WINEGROWING PRACTICES The classification also includes environmental criteria: depending on the classification level. Properties must have or be in the process of obtaining level 2 High Environmental Value certification.

Check the full list page 56 of this magazine.

249 Châteaux ranked 179 Crus Bourgeois 56 Crus Bourgeois Supérieurs 14 Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnels