The Bordeaux labels – Episode #3

Mar 06

Bordeaux, Bottles, Labels, Wine Grapes 1 Comment

Today’s question is from Mardy in Soho who ask us about the wines from Bordeaux.

Video Sum up: The Bordeaux labels

Even if the question is vague, here is a short sum up of the things you should know on Bordeaux and what information you will find on their labels.

Bordeaux makes some of the most glorious and long lived wines in the world (Thomas Jefferson was a big fan of Bordeaux).

The villages (Pomerol, Saint Emilion, Saint Estephe, Saint Julien…) produce different type of wines:
- red wines dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
- white wines which are primarily Sauvignon Blanc but also Sémilion and Muscat

Here is an article written by our sponsor AOC Fine Wines which may help you to understand better what is written on a Bordeaux label (original article)

“How to read a Bordeaux label?

  1. “Grand Vin” alone is forbidden; only used in combination with the mention of the production region “Grand Vin de Bordeaux Superieur”; It cannot be used for the AOC Bordeaux; The wine must come at least from the AOC Bordeaux Superieur.
  2. Mention of the vintage is optional.
  3. The illustration must represent the reality. That is if there is a picture of a chateau, it must really be on the property.
  4. The AOC has to be stated as an appellation on the label, for exemple: “Bordeaux Superieur – Appellation Controlee” or “Pessac Leognan – Appellation Pessac Leognan Controlee”
  5. “Mise en bouteille a xxx” is compulsory information. It describes where the wine was made. Usually when it is an estate wine, then the legal wording is “Mise en bouteille au Chateau”. If it is a Negociant wine, then the address of the negociant has to be specified.
  6. Other optional information:
    “Cru Bourgeaois”, “Cru Artisan”, “Cru Classe”, “Cru Classe en 1855 (ou 1973) with mention of the rank (1st to 5th growth)”, “Grand Cru Classe”, “Premier Grand Cru Classe”.
    It should be noted that the mention “St Emilion Grand Cru” does not represent any classification but simply explains that the wine was made at the estate. The only mention of a St Emilion classification would be “St Emilion Grand Cru Classe”.


Smith Haut Lafitte
Example with the Smith Haut Lafitte Label

Useful links:

To go further we recommand you some readings: