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| St Émilion wine classification ruling offers a good finish for all | St Émilion wine classification ruling offers a good finish for all |
| (12 days later) | |
| The verdict was much awaited. Wine buffs and the trade as a whole, particularly the owners of Saint Émilion grands crus, were all anxious to know their fate. Earlier this month France's National Origin and Quality Institute (Inao) finally published its list of grands crus classés for this appellation. In the end 82 wines obtained the precious distinction, with 18 being awarded premier grand cru classé status. They will be entitled to mark this on labels for the 2012 vintage and the following 10 years. | The verdict was much awaited. Wine buffs and the trade as a whole, particularly the owners of Saint Émilion grands crus, were all anxious to know their fate. Earlier this month France's National Origin and Quality Institute (Inao) finally published its list of grands crus classés for this appellation. In the end 82 wines obtained the precious distinction, with 18 being awarded premier grand cru classé status. They will be entitled to mark this on labels for the 2012 vintage and the following 10 years. |
| For the first time in the history of the St Émilion appellation, the number of wines qualifying for the A rating has doubled. Two châteaux, Ausone and Cheval-Blanc, used to reigning in solitary splendour, will have to share the privilege with two newcomers, Angelus and Pavie. Among the 14 other premiers grands crus classés, there are four promotions (Canon-la-Gaffelière, Larcis-Ducasse, La Mondotte and Valandraud) and only one relegation (La Magdeleine). | For the first time in the history of the St Émilion appellation, the number of wines qualifying for the A rating has doubled. Two châteaux, Ausone and Cheval-Blanc, used to reigning in solitary splendour, will have to share the privilege with two newcomers, Angelus and Pavie. Among the 14 other premiers grands crus classés, there are four promotions (Canon-la-Gaffelière, Larcis-Ducasse, La Mondotte and Valandraud) and only one relegation (La Magdeleine). |
| Being selected, or not, seriously affects a vineyard's image, the price of its wine, the value of its land. The previous list, published in 2006, caused a major upheaval, with eight châteaux promoted and 13 ousted, reducing the number of grands crus classés to 61. The relegated vineyards took the case to court, prompting a long legal battle. Finally in 2008 the tribunal administratif in Bordeaux ruled in favour of the plaintiffs and tore up the new list, restoring its 1996 counterpart. The châteaux whose promotion had been cancelled appealed against the decision. A compromise was reached, keeping the old and the new, who were reinstated in the top group. | Being selected, or not, seriously affects a vineyard's image, the price of its wine, the value of its land. The previous list, published in 2006, caused a major upheaval, with eight châteaux promoted and 13 ousted, reducing the number of grands crus classés to 61. The relegated vineyards took the case to court, prompting a long legal battle. Finally in 2008 the tribunal administratif in Bordeaux ruled in favour of the plaintiffs and tore up the new list, restoring its 1996 counterpart. The châteaux whose promotion had been cancelled appealed against the decision. A compromise was reached, keeping the old and the new, who were reinstated in the top group. |
| A government decree, issued in February 2011, set new rules. The head of Inao, Jean-Louis Büer, explained prior to announcing the findings: "Our concern was to be objective and guard against legal challenges." Suitably briefed to achieve a harmonious approach, the tasters had plenty to do. With 68 châteaux applying for grand cru classé certification and 28 for premier grand cru status, they each had to taste more than a thousand samples. | A government decree, issued in February 2011, set new rules. The head of Inao, Jean-Louis Büer, explained prior to announcing the findings: "Our concern was to be objective and guard against legal challenges." Suitably briefed to achieve a harmonious approach, the tasters had plenty to do. With 68 châteaux applying for grand cru classé certification and 28 for premier grand cru status, they each had to taste more than a thousand samples. |
| This article originally appeared in Le Monde | This article originally appeared in Le Monde |
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