Edition of September 23, 2026

The most expensive Bordeaux wines of 2026

Wine-Searcher identifies the Bordeaux wines with the highest asking prices in 2026.

The top end offers a useful reading of scarcity, brand strength and collector preference, although advertised prices do not necessarily indicate transaction volume. The composition of the list can also show where mature vintages or rare formats carry the largest premiums.

Source: Wine-Searcher The Fine Wine MarketThe Vintage

Why Bordeaux’s second wines are called second

The 10th Foire aux Seconds Vins will take place on October 10, featuring wines assembled from lots excluded from a château’s grand vin.

Second wines make selection visible and often provide earlier-drinking access to classified estates. Their growing prominence also raises questions about pricing, vineyard sources and how clearly each label expresses the parent château.

Source: Terre de Vins Rules and Classifications

Premières Côtes de Bordeaux seeks a 3-colour future

Premières Côtes de Bordeaux has applied to INAO to expand beyond sweet white wine and authorize a broader range of styles under its name.

Approval could give growers greater commercial flexibility while reconnecting the appellation name with the full potential of its terroir. The decision will test how far Bordeaux’s regulatory structure can adapt to changing demand.

Source: Sud Ouest Premières Côtes de Bordeaux Vineyard and CellarRules and Classifications

Michelin’s Bordeaux château ranking reaches new audiences

A Portuguese-language report introduces Michelin’s new grape-based selection of Bordeaux estates, framing it as an extension of the group’s hospitality ratings.

International coverage shows that the ranking is already influencing how Bordeaux estates are presented beyond traditional wine media. Its lasting importance will depend on whether consumers use it for visits, purchases or both.

Source: EuQueroInvestir Critics and ScoresHistory and Archives

Record earliness defines Bordeaux’s 2026 harvest

Consultants Romain Bocchio and Frédéric Massie assess a historically early 2026 harvest in Gironde after an exceptionally dry summer.

Picking dates will determine whether the 2026s retain freshness and aromatic definition or reflect the season primarily through concentration and warmth. Differences between water-retentive clay and faster-draining gravel could be especially revealing.

Source: Sud Ouest The Vintage

Bordeaux records its hottest growing season in 133 years

According to Revista ADEGA, Bordeaux’s 2026 growing season was its hottest in 133 years. Temperatures exceeded 35°C on 1 in 3 days between May and July, while rainfall totaled 54 mm against a 141 mm average.

Heat alone does not determine quality, but its interaction with drought, vine age, soils and harvest timing will shape both alcohol levels and acid balance. The claim also raises the stakes for how the trade eventually describes 2026.

Source: Revista ADEGA The VintageVineyard and Cellar

A 27-vintage vertical charts Giscours’ recovery

According to Jancis Robinson, Château Giscours rebuilt its quality after a difficult period, based on an assessment of 27 vintages.

Long verticals reveal whether an estate’s improvement is durable rather than vintage-dependent. For collectors, the exercise can also identify overlooked mature vintages from before market recognition fully caught up.

Source: JancisRobinson.com Château Giscours The VintageThe Fine Wine Market