The history of winemaking in Bordeaux spans almost 2000 years to when the Romans first planted vineyards. Bordeaux has over 300,000 acres of planted vines which is more than the whole of Australia. The diverse mixtures of soil allows the region to produce some of the world's finest fruit including seven different varieties of grape which include the renowned Cabernet, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc all of which were born in Bordeaux.
With centuries of history behind them, today's growers and winemakers have the innovation and skill to perfectly blend these wonderful grape varieties to produce a range of clarets that are unparalleled in quality and diversity.
The production of wine in Bordeaux is covered by extremely strict regulations. These regulations are known as "The Appellation Laws" or "AOC" (Appellation d'Origine Controlee). These laws were introduced to control the level of production and protect the quality of the region's most prized asset and export. The regulations are vigorously imposed and do not allow Chateaux to graft from vines taken from other growing regions. This ensures that Bordeaux wines remain rare and ensures a continual and diminishing supply.
All Bordeaux wines receive classification through a system known as "1855 Classification". The highest honour and finest wines are classified "Premier Grand Cru Class" or "First Growth" and go down to "Fifth Growth".
Chateau Lafite-Rothschild
Only four wine-producing Châteaux of Bordeaux achieved First Growth status in the 1855 Classification.
First on the list was Chateau Lafite Rothschild and has ever since been a producer of some of the world's finest and most expensive red wines. Chateau Lafite holds the record for a bottle of wine sold at auction standing at $156,000.
Chateau Latour
The Château Latour Estate was rated as a First Growth under the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. Chateau Latour lies at the very southeastern tip of the commune of Pauillac in the Médoc region to the north-west of Bordeaux.
The estate produces three red wines in all. In addition to its Grand vin, Latour has also produced the second wine Les Forts de Latour since 1966 and a third wine simply named Pauillac, has been released every year since 1990. Chateau Latour is one of the world's most recognised marques and synonymous with quality and style.
Chateau Mouton Rothschild
Château Mouton Rothschild is located in the village of Pauillac in the Médoc, approx 30 ml north-west of the city of Bordeaux. Its red wine of the same name is regarded as one of the world's greatest clarets and was elevated to first growth status in 1974. Owned by the Rothschild family Chateau Mouton Rothschild is
probably the best known name in the wine world. Baron Philippe de Rothschild came up with the idea of having each year's label designed by a famous artist of the day. In 1946, this became a permanent and significant aspect of the Mouton image with labels created by some of the world's great painters and
sculptors inc Salvador Dali, Henry Moore, Marc Chagall and Andy Warhol.
Chateau Haut-Brion
Chateau Haut-Brion is the only estate from outside of the Medoc region to be included in the Bordeaux
Classification of 1855. The earliest document indicating the cultivation of grapes on this site dates from 1423. However it is thought that this was one of the most prolific grape growing areas during Roman times. It is this kind of history which embodies this Chateau and embellishes the wine with almost mystical properties. The first record of Haut-Brion being noted on a wine ledger was that of King Charles II in the early 1660's. In 1663 diarist Samual Pepys wrote that whilst at The Royal Oak Tavern he "Drank a sort of French wine called Ho Bryen that hath a good and most particular taste I never met with". Haut-Brion also became the first recorded "First Growth" wine to be imported to the United States when 3rd President Thomas Jefferson, whilst on a tour of the region, sent back six cases to his Virginia estate.
Chateau Margaux
A bottle of 1787 Chateau Margaux was insured for $225,000 and was subsequently dropped onto a concrete cellar floor. It now stands as the most expensive bottle of wine ever broken.
The estate is located in the commune of Margeaux on the left bank of the Garonne estuary. One of the original four Bordeaux estates to achieve Premier cru status Chateau Margaux has retained its position as one of the world's finest and most expensive wines.
