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“Cru Bourgeois”, a traditional term which originates from the 15th century
The New 'Cru Bourgeois'
A “Cru Bourgeois” is a wine produced in one of the Médoc’s eight AOCs: Médoc, Haut-Médoc, Margaux, Listrac-Médoc, Moulis-en-Médoc, Saint-Julien, Pauillac or Saint-Estèphe.
A “Cru Bourgeois” is a château name appearing in the “Château” file of the Fédération des Grands Vins de Bordeaux.
A “Cru Bourgeois” is produced by a property which has been inspected by an independent organization appointed by the Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc: Bureau Véritas.
A “Cru Bourgeois” earns the Reconnaissance “Cru Bourgeois” after its selection in a blind tasting by professionals controlled by this independent organization. Each new vintage is subject to the same tasting process.
A “Cru Bourgeois” earns the Reconnaissance “Cru Bourgeois” two years after the harvest: the 2008 vintage in 2010, the 2009 vintage in 2011, etc.
A “Cru Bourgeois” is a wine sold exclusively in bottle. The Reconnaissance “Cru Bourgeois” is based on a Schedule of Requirements set up by the Alliance whose standards must be met by the châteaux. This is verified by Bureau Véritas, a world leader in certification; its independence guarantees the impartiality of the process.
Selling of a 'Cru Bourgeois'
Sale
The château name awarded the Reconnaissance “Cru Bourgeois” is reserved for the wine which earned this distinction, to the exclusion of any other from the property.
The Reconnaissance attestation is attributed to a precise volume of wine which must correspond to the volume offered for sale.
A wine’s sale will be subject to the awarding of the Reconnaissance “Cru Bourgeois”.
Bottling
Bottling is done at the property after obtaining the Reconnaissance “Cru Bourgeois”, under the producer’s responsibility.
For a given vintage, the bottling must be done BEFORE December 31 of the third year after the harvest. Thus, vintage 2009 must be bottled before December 31, 2012, vintage 2010 must be bottled before December 31, 2013, etc. EXCEPTIONALLY, an additional year applies to the 2008 vintage, which may be bottled up to December 31, 2012.
Labelling
The producer bears SOLE responsibility for bottling and labelling of the wine.
A wine which has earned the Reconnaissance “Cru Bourgeois” and which appears on the list published on September 15 that year, must bear the logo.
This logo may appear on either the bottle, the label, the back label, or the capsule. This logo must be associated with an authentification system.
2008 The First Vintage Subject to the Reconnaissance 'Cru Bourgeois'
| 2010 | |
|---|---|
| February | First tasting of the 2008 vintage. |
| March | First attestations delivered. Earliest appearance of the 2008 vintage on the market. |
| July |
Final tasting and last attestations delivered. |
| September | Publication of the list of wines authorized to use “Cru Bourgeois” on the labels for the 2008 vintage. |
| 2012 | |
|---|---|
| December | Latest date for bottling of the 2008 vintage |
For Other Vintages 'N'
| YEAR N+2 | |
|---|---|
| February | First tastings. |
| March | First attestations and earliest appearance of the vintage on the market. |
| September | Publication of the official list of wines authorized to use “Cru Bourgeois” on the bottles. |
| YEAR N+3 | |
|---|---|
| December | Latest date for bottling of wines designated "Cru Bourgeois" |
With thanks to the Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc for supplying this information.
More information on the Crus Bourgeois Classification visit the following website.
Vin Du Medoc
www.medoc-bordeaux.com
L'Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc
www.crus-bourgeois.com