What do Apple, Amazon, US railroads, an exiled emperor and the finest Bordeaux wines have in common? They’re all part of this episode of Le Grand Voyage!
Joe Fattorini weaves a story that explains Bordeaux wine classification and the ‘hidden genius’ of a system that has changed only three times since 1855. Compared with the changing shape of major industry in the United States, French wine classification and appellations have kept the wine industry remarkably stable.
The 1855 Bordeaux wine classification gave structure to the growing wine industry by ranking the finest wines of Bordeaux. To this very day, it is a useful way to explain Bordeaux wines in terms such as Premier Cru (first growth) and Grand Cru (great growth) vineyards and estates.
Joe also touches on the 1953 Graves classification, in which Château Malartic-Lagravière was one of only six Bordeaux wine producers to enter for both red and white wine.
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What is Le Grand Voyage?
Beginning in August 2020, Le Grand Voyage will take you on a Bordeaux wine tour unlike any other. You’ll discover the reason cork is the preferred wine bottle closure, why wine tasting needs the right glassware, and how the region’s most famous grapes found their place. You will also hear the stories (and controversies) of French wine classification, and even a few tales of war and conflict that have helped shape and define Bordeaux and other French wine appellations over the last few centuries.
But it’s not just about wine: Le Grand Voyage is about stories. Joe’s love of Bordeaux wine (and French wine appellations in general) is as much about the history of the region as it is about the wines themselves. You’ll find out why Bordeaux is the wine of American presidents; why Irish and English names grace famous French wine labels; and why a sailing ship graces ours.
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We are Château Malartic-Lagravière, a Cru Classé de Graves of the Pessac-Léognan appellation in Bordeaux, France.
Our vineyards sit on the finest gravelly soils of Léognan, south of Bordeaux city. Much of our plot is dedicated to the red wine grapes made famous by the Bordeaux appellation, but our terroir also holds the key to one of the region’s best-kept secrets: first-class Bordeaux white wines.
Château Malartic-Lagravière’s history dates back to the 18th century. We were one of only six wine producers in Bordeaux to enter the 1953 Graves classification for both red wine and white wine. These same varieties are still grown in our vineyards today: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.
The Bonnie family now takes care of the vines and wines using traditional techniques and
modern sustainable agriculture practices to produce wines of incomparable character,
complexity and sophistication.
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