Edition of April 20, 2026

What Were People Drinking in 1855?

In 1855, Napoleon III requested a Bordeaux wine classification for the Paris Universal Exposition. The hierarchy covered red wines from the Médoc, Château Haut-Brion in the Graves, and sweet white wines from Sauternes and Barsac, with harvests beginning on October 7.

Source: terredevins.com Château Haut-Brion BarsacGravesMédocSauternes Rules and ClassificationsThe Vintage

Bordeaux "Got Lazy" after Parker

Wine-Searcher said Bordeaux “got lazy” after the Robert Parker era.

Source: wine-searcher.com Critics and Scores

Bordeaux wine: 40 million euros to save the sector

The European Union is providing 40 million euros to help Bordeaux’s wine sector remove excess volumes from the market through distillation. Applications open on April 20, 2026, and close on May 12 through the FranceAgriMer platform.

Source: Bouger à Bordeaux The Crisis

Trust in Bordeaux Wines Rises Despite Price Decline

According to a Wine Lister study, professional confidence in 134 leading Bordeaux wines rose to 6.4 in 2026, from 5.9 in 2025, while prices fell by an average of 27% for the 2021 vintage, 19% for 2020 and 17% for 2022.

Source: wein.plus The VintageThe New Bordeaux

En Primeur: Bordeaux and the legend of vintages ending in “5”

Bordeaux’s 2025 En Primeur Week has revived the legend that vintages ending in 5 are especially strong. CVBG president Mathieu Chadronnier said the pattern has no concrete geographic or technical basis, despite a strong run since 1945.

Source: terredevins.com En Primeur and La PlaceThe Vintage

Bordeaux Prices Likely to Rise

Wine-Searcher predicted that Bordeaux prices will rise.

Source: wine-searcher.com The Fine Wine Market