The history of Bordeaux primeurs
The sale of Bordeaux wines en primeur corresponds to a wine marketing system during the aging process which will be bottled several months later. Aging refers to the period between maceration and bottling of a wine. The En Primeur event begins with a week of tastings. early AprilThis event allows the châteaux to welcome wine professionals and present the fruits of their labor for tasting. Then come the châteaux's marketing campaigns. From April to the end of June, we await the release of the new vintage. Sometimes there's no release at all, much to our frustration, and then the very next day, 20 châteaux offer us their grand vin for sale!
The term "en primeur" in Bordeaux should not be confused with other types of early sales. Indeed, there is also the sale of "primeur wines," which refers to the marketing of wines such as Beaujolais Nouveau and certain IGP wines. These wines undergo a short aging period and are released for sale starting on the third Thursday of November.
The history of Bordeaux primeurs Contrary to what one might think, it is quite recent. It has gained significant national and international renown, particularly with the rise of social media. This specific practice comes with numerous advantages that are increasingly appealing to other wine regions.
Bordeaux Primeurs: Genesis and Development
Having become the unmissable event in Bordeaux, the En Primeur sale has its origins in a not-so-distant past. The concept of En Primeur dates back to... 18th centuryIt was during this period that the trend developed, particularly under the influence of traders. Professionals would travel to the exhibitions through subscriptions. Castles in order to acquire grapes for their production. They judged not the quality of a wine but that of the harvested grapes. The merchants were then responsible for the quality of the vintages, which was determined by the grape itself, ignoring the entire winemaking process.
1970, the modernization of Bordeaux Primeurs
This concept of selling wines en primeur was revived and modernized in the 20th century during a crisis experienced by the Châteaux. Indeed, wine merchants held a position deemed too large and influential in the wine world by vineyard owners. As an economic crisis raged in the mid-1970s, the Baron Philippe de Rothschild decides to organize tastings of the vintage currently being aged directly at Château. Gradually, the idea appealed to other owners of Grands Crus of the region. From 1982 onwards, this event became institutionalized. The modern idea of Bordeaux Primeurs was born.
Many producers and critics were skeptical about tasting an unfinished wine. Intuition does indeed play a role in determining a wine's price. It was in 1982, when critics were largely indifferent to the vintage being tasted, that a certain Robert Parker He went against the grain by asserting that the vintage would be good and one of the best. Time would prove him right, and the Bordeaux En Primeur wines would allow him to achieve the position of critic for which he is known today.
A growing enthusiasm for Bordeaux Primeurs
Today, the Bordeaux Primeurs is the event not to be missed. The tasting week welcomes a range of professionals, from wine merchants to wine shops and wholesalers. While some decide to host directly at domaine Other visitors gather around theUnion of Grands Crus to organize their tastings. With the development of social media, the importance of the Bordeaux En Primeur event continues to grow. This trend is also attracting producers from other wine regions of France. Thus, estates in Burgundy, the Rhône Valley, and Provence are beginning to sell their wines en primeur.
The Primeurs (early produce) market: how it works and its appeal.
The success of the Bordeaux Primeurs extends beyond the borders of France and represents a genuine interest for all wine lovers. Whether they are producers or buyers, professionals or individuals, national or international, everyone finds something to enjoy. Thus, while the Bordeaux en primeur system is unique, numerous advantages are associated with this event.
How do the Bordeaux Primeurs wines work?
The aging of the wines extends over a period of 12 to 24 months. It is at the beginning of this period that the Bordeaux En Primeur wines are released. These represent 5% to 10% of the total production. domaine which is meant to be tasted. Thus, the wines offered have not yet finished aging and do not yet reveal their full potential. In general, they are tannic and firm wines; it is therefore up to the taster to discern the potential of each vintage based on their knowledge and experience.
It was at this moment that critics taste the wines and attribute notes The vintage's reputation begins to take shape. The Châteaux then set their prices, and en primeur wine purchases begin. At the end of the harvest and aging process, critics will conduct a new evaluation after bottling, potentially revising their initial assessments.
Attractive advantages for sellers and buyers
The Bordeaux En Primeur event could potentially allow buyers to reserve wines with a price 1% to 30% lower at the price of the same wines in bottles. The Châteaux retain responsibility for the wines until they are bottled, even if they have already been sold.
All the funds raised on this occasion provide a direct cash injection for Bordeaux winegrowers. This allows them, in particular, to to finance the next harvests which will follow this En Primeur tasting. However, some Premier Grands Crus Classés have recently decided to withdraw from the En Primeur system. Notably the Château Latour which, since 2012, has chosen to offer only stabilized wines for tasting, wines whose aging process is complete, or even the Château d'Yquem.
Cavissima's selection of Bordeaux and other Primeur wines
There subtlety great Bordeaux wines
There diversity climates of Burgundy
Along the river of the Rhône Valley
Buy your Bordeaux Primeurs at the Cavissima shop