Edition of October 19, 2026

Pierre Castel’s century in the wine trade

Pierre Castel marked his 100th birthday on Saturday, October 17, after building a wine business with his family from a small négociant founded in 1949 into France’s leading wine group.

Castel’s story reflects the scale and commercial reach of a family enterprise that has shaped the Bordeaux wine sector.

Source: Vitisphere En Primeur and La PlaceEstates and People

Médoc producers reconsider their use of oak

Bordeaux’s Left Bank producers are recalibrating their use of new oak, with Château Lascombes in Margaux, Château Gruaud Larose in St-Julien and Château d'Armailhac in Pauillac taking different approaches this year, according to Decanter.

Élevage is central to both the style and identity of classified and unclassified Médoc wines. A broader reconsideration of oak could change how producers pursue structure, texture and expression.

Source: Decanter Château d’ArmailhacChâteau Gruaud-LaroseChâteau Lascombes MargauxMédocPauillacSaint-Julien Vineyard and CellarRules and Classifications

Lafite 2005 leads as Bordeaux takes 39.6% of trade

According to Liv-ex, Bordeaux accounted for 39.6% of traded value during the week, with Lafite representing more than a quarter of Bordeaux activity and Lafite 2005 leading wines by value.

Demand was distributed across the EU, UK and US, each representing between 27% and 30% of traded value. That balance gives merchants a useful indication of where current Bordeaux demand is coming from.

Source: Liv-ex Château Lafite Rothschild The Fine Wine Market

Château Escot 2024 highlights accessible Bordeaux Blanc

Sud Ouest recommends Château Escot 2024, a small-production AOC Bordeaux Blanc from Lesparre, north of the Médoc, as a pairing for fish and cheeses. The wine combines sauvignon blanc, sémillon and sauvignon gris and is aged in barrels.

The bottle directs attention toward dry white Bordeaux from an estate identified as a Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, rather than another prestige-priced red.

Source: Sud Ouest Château Escot Bordeaux AOCMédoc Vineyard and CellarRules and Classifications

The case for Bordeaux as wine’s best bargain

Jay McInerney argues that Bordeaux is one of wine’s best values today, as many renowned Bordeaux wines sell for less than their Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon counterparts.

The argument reinforces a developing contrast between Bordeaux’s prestige and the value available to drinkers willing to look beyond its most expensive labels.

Source: Air Mail The Fine Wine MarketWines to Buy

Haut-Bergeron waits for botrytis in Sauternes

At Château Haut-Bergeron in Preignac, the Lamothe family waited for Botrytis cinerea, which appeared around October 10 after a dry September, before hand-picking and sorting the grapes in hopes of producing a fine vintage.

Sauternes depends on timing that cannot be forced. The report shows how the region’s vintage narrative can remain unresolved even as harvesting advances elsewhere in Bordeaux.

Source: Sud Ouest Château Haut-Bergeron Sauternes The VintageEstates and People

Arnold Schwarzenegger named honorary Bordeaux ambassador

Arnold Schwarzenegger was inducted by the Grand Conseil des vins de Bordeaux during his Sunday visit to Gironde for “Libourne fête la fin”, becoming an honorary Bordeaux ambassador.

The appointment gives Bordeaux a highly visible international figure as the region continues promoting its wines to a broad audience.

Source: Orange Actualités Visiting BordeauxEstates and People

Heat brings an exceptionally early harvest and lower yields

On October 13, 2026, Vinetur said Bordeaux had begun an exceptionally early 2026 harvest after a hot, dry summer reduced yields across the region, while initial quality signs remained encouraging.

The report continues the developing picture of a vintage defined by early timing and constrained production, two factors that will shape later assessments of the crop.

Source: Vinetur The Vintage