by Adam Lechmere -The Cru Bourgeois Alliance is planning to introduce two or three new levels into its annual listing – possibly for the 2012 vintage.
The new listing for the 2010 vintage has just been announced, with 260 chateaux from eight appellations included, compared with 246 for the 2009 vintage.
As with the previous two years the list, which is reviewed annually, is flat: a property is classed as Cru Bourgeois with no hierarchy of quality.
The Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc has said before that it constantly reviews its system, which was finally ratified in 2008 after several years of controversy resulting from the annulment of the 2003 classification. Now Alliance president Frédéric de Luze says there are one or two changes that might be introduced.
by Adam Lechmere – Patrick Sandeman, one of London’s most respected wine merchants, has been killed in a freak skydiving accident.
Sandeman, one half of the multi-award-winning London wine merchants Lea and Sandeman, was an experienced skydiver. He apparently collided with another skydiver 50 feet from the ground, which caused both parachutes to collapse.
Despite the efforts of paramedics he died at the scene, while the other skydiver, a 28-year-old Frenchman who has not yet been named, remains in a serious condition with spinal injuries.
by Jane Anson in Bordeaux – French wine producers are preparing a defence against the possibility the EU may allow US imported wines to be called chateau or clos.
Writing on the wall? EU to rule on use of ‘château’ on imports
The decision will be taken as part of a wider meeting on Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reforms at the European Parliament in Brussels on 25 September.
French producers say that allowing American wine producers to sell
There is always excitement in the air as we say farewell to the joys of summer and look forward to the promise of a bountiful harvest. We are delighted to share our latest 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon releases. We have always believed it takes time to produce Cabernets that are truly polished and well-integrated, and we think you will agree these wines are worth the wait!
New Release