Old World Bordeaux raises the bar on corporate responsibility and environmental action

Many generations of winemakers have studied at Bordeaux’s famed chateaus, which are steeped in centuries-old vineyard traditions. Bordeaux has 65 AOCs or Appellations de Origine Contrles. These wine regions are as famous as their old world origins. As with the rest of the world environmental factors play an important role in every step from pruning to planting to harvest. Recent fluctuations have made it impossible to ignore the need to make progress. The best wines are made from vines that have been stress to the point where the grape’s sugars develop slowly. If you stress the vines right, your Grand Crus will speak on their own. If you stress the vines too often, the grapes and possibly the vineyard will be forgotten.

The Bordeaux Climate Summit was established at the end 2021 to open communication between all parties. However, the environmental conference was only part of a multifaceted approach to saving France’s most famous wine-growing regions.

The US is seeing an increase in Bordeaux wine sales in all styles, reds, dry whites and ross, as well as sparkling wines. But there’s a twist. The most popular Bordeaux wine is still red Bordeaux, but the popularity of dry white Bordeaux wines has increased. The United States is now the largest market for dry white Bordeaux. How popular is that? Annual sales of 5.2 million bottles. It is not surprising that this region has everything, from luxury labels to everyday bottles, indulging AOCs Mdoc and beyond like Pauillac and Saint Julien, Margaux and Graves, as well as a variety of AOCs such as Saint-milion, Saint-julian, Saint Julien, Saint Julien, Saint Julien, Saint-milion, Saint-milion, and Saint-milion.

It is easy to recognize the names of some of the most famous regional grapes. A good cabernet sauvignon or merlot, or cabernet Franc, are all welcome at any dinner party. Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. This is especially true as the US market continues to grow. Recent statistics show that the 2021 results were the largest volume sales increase in Bordeaux wines to the U.S. in a 12-month period, since 1985. Even more so than the spikes in 2020.

Bernard Farges, President, Bordeaux Wine Council (C.I.V.B.), stated that we are delighted with our sales results in America. It is a credit both to Bordeaux and to our many U.S. partners that we have overcome recent challenges and created opportunities for growth across such a wide range Bordeaux wines.

A region that has to deal with environmental issues mostly unassisted by the US is facing new challenges due to increased US interest. This can be largely attributed to a greater awareness of the affordability of quality in the 2018 and 2019 Bordeaux vintages. These vintages are the result of years spent implementing sustainability strategies and strategic incorporation of them. More than 75% of Bordeaux vineyards have been certified sustainable as of fall 2021. This is an unprecedented level that has influenced positive trade and consumer recognition.

CSR or Corporate social responsibility is a big part of the drive to sustainability. Some of these practices can be as simple as planting cover crops and grass across the vineyard. The nitrite-producing plants are able to balance the micro and macro climates of any biodiverse system, with a longer term goal for agroforestry. It has taken a lot of effort to reintroduce natural pesticides and insecticides in the form bats and small predators such as snakes. The bat program has been extremely successful in reintroducing bats into a place where they once thrived.

The Bordeaux vineyard is undergoing an ecological revolution. 75% of Bordeaux’s vineyard area will have a certified environment approach in 2021 (Organic and High Environmental Value, Terra Vitis or Demeter).), compared with 35% in 2014. The vineyard is also an outstanding centre of excellence, hosting engineering and scientific researchers (ISVVs, INRAEs, etc.). Start-ups and incubators that are all sources of innovation.

This is just the beginning of a long-term wine industry in France. However, the Bordeaux region hopes to be a model for winegrowers around the world.