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the brilliance of bordeaux
The history of bordeaux wine spans almost 2,000 years, to roman times, when the first vineyards were planted. It was in 71 AD that the first documented evidence of wine production exists.
Seldom exported prior to the 12th century, the popularity of Bordeaux wines jumped dramatically following the marriage of Henry Plantagenet and Aliénor d'Aquitaine, making the province of Aquitaine English territory, and accounting for the ubiquity of claret in England. Vineyards were expanded to accommodate the demands from abroad, and in an effort to stimulate trade, Henry II abolished industry export taxes to England altogether. By 1725, the spread of vineyards throughout Bordeaux had grown so vast that regions and classifications were installed for consumers to know precisely where each wine was from.
In the 20th century, Bordeaux vineyards recovered from Phylloxera infestations and economic problems. The period from the 1980s is considered "new" in the respect that wine critics now greatly influence demand, and the preferred style of high-quality red Bordeaux has changed to more concentrated in flavour.
Benefiting from shelter of forest and warmth of the Gulf Stream, the grapevines and fussy plants of Bordeaux are able to appreciate exceptional types of soil. Over 700 million bottles of Bordeaux wine are produced each year, ranging from large quantities of everyday table wine, to some of the most expensive and prestigious wines in the world.
Set in perfect growing conditions, Bordeaux consists of 247,000 acres with some 20,000 producers, of which only around 100 have achieved international recognition.
The French wine regulatory system is renowned throughout the world as being the oldest, most established, and most comprehensive. The system, known as "Appellation d'origine contrôlée", regulates the maximum amount of wine produced by each Château every year, ensuring the supply of best vintages to be strictly controlled.