Crus Bourgoeis wines of 2012: more producers meet the standard

The Classification of Bordeaux wines can seem complex. Vineyards of the Médoc were classified in 1855 by the government of Napolean III, which was seeking to rank the best vineyards/producers for a trade exposition in Paris. Since then the structure of this system, with 5 levels of classified "grand cru" producers, has been more or less maintained.

However the classification of some Bordeaux wines is not based on historical quality but has to be earnt each vintage. "Cru Bourgoeis" represent the best quality, and often the best value, of the wines produced in the Médoc region of Bordeaux. Since 2009 the title of a cru bourgeois wines is based on a blind tasting of samples provided each vintage.

Right across Bordeaux, the vineyard practices and winemaking techniques have resulted in a vast improvement in quality across the region. High quality wines are produced by many more producers than ever before.  As a consequence these wines called Cru Bourgoeis consistently represent good value-for-money wines.

On September 19th 2014, the association for Cru Bourgoeis wines announced the wines that could be called Cru Bourgeois for the 2012 vintage. 267 wines were included- the highest number yet. These producers come from the many sub-regions of the Médoc eight prestigious AOCs : Médoc, Haut-Médoc, Listrac-Médoc, Moulis en Médoc, Margaux, Saint Julien, Pauillac and Saint Estèphe. The increase in numbers reflects the increase in quality of production methods.

We were pleased to see some of our favorite producers retained in the 2012 classification Chateau Rollan de By, Chateau Greysac, Chateau Tour Séran, Chateau Semeillan Mazeau. Click on these links to have a look at  the recent vintages of these producers that were given the classification of Cru Bourgeois. 

And if all of this still sounds complicated, don't worry! We only stock wine that we can vouch for, would happily buy for our own cellars and serve to our friends and family. At the end of the day we hope that you are able to trust us, or other wine merchants, to search for the best value wines of this fantastic region.

Great Value Champagne from Achille Princier

DiscoverVin is excited to add an elegant value-for-money grower champagne from independent family producer, Achille Princier, to our portfolio of wines. 

DiscoverVin have emphasised independent, artisanal winemakers and grape growers in our portfolio.  Achille Princier Champagne complements our range of  producers, and fits with our philosophy of sharing wines crafted by small independent producers to demonstrate their terroir, with Australian wine drinkers. 

Our customers often ask us if we have Champagne to sell. We have spent more than 12 months researching a good value for money Champagne, and we are very happy to have finally found it! 

Achille Princier Grand Tradition NV has won 2 stars in the Guide Hachette in 2014 (one of the main French wine guides).  Excuse our french translation of the Guide's notes: "Its golden colour invites you to smell citrus fruits and white stone fruit which one finds in the mouth. Nice to taste, generous, suave and balanced. This bottle will hold its own well enough as an aperitif or with a meal".

Winemaker Maxime Mansard is the fifth generation of winemakers at Achille Princier.

Terroir: This wine is produced from 66 different parcels of vines in 10 communes extending across 24 hectares in the Marne Valley near Epernay. This dividing up of the vineyards is a major plus as it allows an "assemblage" of wines. This enables the producer to achieve a balance between freshness and complexity by blending different parcels, and ensuring a consistent but unique style for Champagne Achille Princier.

Grapes: This champagne is a mixture of 3 varieties: Pinot Noir 30% , Pinot Meunier 35% and Chardonnay 35%.

The average age of the vines is more than 30 years old (the youngest are 7 years old and the oldest 84!) 

Pinot Meunier brings an intense bouquet, a freshness on the pallet, often described as giving a "fruitiness" and a "roundness" to the wine. Pinot Noir gives aromas of red fruits and a more marked/stronger structure. Finally Chardonnay adds a freshness on the pallet, and a finesse and elegance.

Wine making: Made by traditional méthode champenoise. From vineyard management to picking to pressing to bottling, the grapes and resulting wines are looked after meticulously.  Only the first pressings of the grapes are used to ensure finesse for the Champagne and the wines that are kept for future blending. Dosage 8 g/L. Malo-lactic fermentation in stainless steel. The bottles are rested for many years in traditional underground caves at a constant temperature.

Our tasting notes: A deep yellow/gold colour, clear and bright. In the mouth its fresh, soft and harmonious, and endowed with good length on the palette. It evolves in the mouth, its balanced, profound and subtle. Excellent.

Alcohol:  12%

An excellent Champagne at this price! Jump on our website to buy. Trade price available on application 0260 206 016 or info@discovervin.com.au