Cru Bourgeois

Cru Bourgeois literally means " Civil greenhouse " and refers to a category of quality-oriented wineries in Bordeaux. Follow the hierarchy of the Grand Cru Classé, representing the " nobility " of the Bordeaux wine industry. The designation as a Cru Bourgeois applies to the estate, the Château. It is not tied to the individual layers as in the German wine law or in Burgundy, as long as the vineyards are located in the territory of the appellations of the Medoc. The term Cru Bourgeois is protected by European law only since 1979. In the classification of the year 2003 247 Châteaux were recognized as Crus Bourgeois. However, this was canceled in 2007, so that today there are no clear rules for the use of that name.

The Crus Bourgeois of the Medoc have joined together in an association, the Alliance. In 2003 it comprised 230 Châteaux with a cultivated area of ​​7,200 ha, together, which is 44 % of the area of the Medoc. Some of the most ambitious Châteaux are classified as the Châteaux members of the exclusive Union of Grands Crus. Among the Crus Bourgeois, there is a qualitative hierarchy: Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel - Cru Bourgeois Supérieur - Cru Bourgeois.

History

In contrast to most other areas of the vineyard in the Bordeaux region was initiated and promoted by the bourgeoisie of wealthy trading city of Bordeaux. Originally, therefore, designated Cru Bourgeois all higher plants of Bordeaux. The term has been used since the 15th century. However, the official classification of the wines of the Médoc at the Paris World Exhibition of 1855 created for the class the category of Grands Crus Classé, so that the designation Crus Bourgeois now remained the second guard reserved.

The world economic crisis and its severe consequences for viticulture offered the occasion for a reorganization. A first classification of the Crus Bourgeois was made in 1932, at that time there were 442 Crus Bourgeois, of which 99 were Supérieurs and 6 Supérieurs Exceptionnels. In 1962, the rules were redefined by the new Syndicat des Crus Borgeois. It included only 92 châteaux. Approved were only establishments with at least 7 hectares of vineyards. Barriqueausbau was a requirement for classification as a Grand Cru Bourgeois. To be Grand Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, additional quality criteria had to be met (planting density is at least 6500 plants per hectare, modern cellar technology, locks deduction), and the vineyards had to be in the range of the Haut-Médoc. 1966 were so only 101 Crus Bourgeois classified, of which 63 Grands Bourgeois with 18 Exceptionnels. 1978 there was a new classification, and since then numerous other goods of the Association have joined. The term " Cru Bourgeois " but was used increasingly inflationary: In 2002, there were over 600 different Crus Bourgeois, including some of dubious quality.

This development was the wine policy in 2000, areas with a ministerial decree halt. A consisting of 17 expert commission, whose composition was confirmed on 31 January 2001 by decree, assessed the quality of the production of all 490 candidates Châteaux and made ​​a classification. Criteria for this were quality of terroir and vine population, care in cultivation and wine-making, consistency of quality, reputation and quality of the wine of the Château. The classification was established in 2003 by decree and should every twelve years are reviewed. Of the 490 candidates were accepted as 247 Crus Bourgeois and classified. 2004, the Syndicat was a new form of organization and became the Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc.

Overall, however, 77 companies submitted opposition rejected on the grounds that several owners of Crus Bourgeois were members of the Commission. In January 2007, the independent French State Commissioner ( Commissaire du gouvernement ) requested a cancellation of the classification. The competent administrative court had to make a decision within 21 days and granted that request: The classification of the Crus Bourgeois 2003 was lifted on 27 February 2007. Thus, other may not classified wineries label their wines as Cru Bourgeois.

Quality orientation

Not only the Bordeaux " nobility" of Classified Growth, but also many Crus Bourgeois endeavor to quality work, and in order good wine quality. Since 1855, no further good could ascend into the category of Classified Growth, there are now quality duplication: the wine of a high-class Cru Bourgeois good can sometimes be significantly better than the wine of poor working Grand Cru vineyards. The Crus Bourgeois is committed to a quality charter. Required are:

  • No sales in the barrel
  • Bottling on the estate itself
  • Sale only in the second year following the harvest year
  • Regular quality checks on a sample basis from the market.

Leading Crus Bourgeois

The top group of Crus Bourgeois form the Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnels ( CBE). The group will include in the classification of 2003, the following Châteaux to:

  • Château Chasse -Spleen ( Moulis )
  • Château Haut- Marbuzet ( Saint- Estèphe )
  • Château Labégorce - Zédé ( Margaux )
  • Château Les Ormes de Pez ( Saint -Estèphe )
  • Château de Pez ( Saint -Estèphe )
  • Chateau Phelan Segur ( Saint- Estèphe )
  • Château Poujeaux ( Moulis )
  • Château Potensac ( Médoc )
  • Château Siran ( Margaux )

Other well-known goods include:

  • Château Clarke ( Listrac )
  • Château Labégorce ( Margaux )
  • Château La Tour de By ( Médoc )
  • Château Maucaillou ( Moulis )
  • Château Sociando - Mallet ( Haut-Médoc, from the Alliance leaked )

Sociando - Mallet is recognized as the best "non- Grand Cru " Good of the Medoc. It was classified for many years a member and as a CBE -Good, but went to 2005 from the union because they did not want to apply for a classification in order to receive the status of each again. Anyway, it Sociando - Mallet sell his wine at the level of Grand Cru Classé. The same applies to Chasse -Spleen, the winery, which now after the exit of Sociando - Mallet has the best reputation of the Alliance members. Both wineries deliver wines that regularly play high in the upper half of the Grands Crus, but compared to equally good Grands Crus at a discount, which is due to the missing suffix.

Exposition Universelle (1855) Oak (wine)
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