Edition of October 26, 2026

Can younger drinkers fall for Bordeaux again?

Bordeaux retains its prestige but is struggling to renew consumer interest, particularly among younger generations, while facing overproduction.

Strong secondary-market demand for mature bottles does not resolve Bordeaux’s broader consumer problem. The region still needs to convert reputation into interest among new drinkers.

Source: Le Devoir The CrisisThe New Bordeaux

Ten generations at Château Mazeris

Jean de Cournuaud represents the 10th generation at Château Mazeris, a property founded in 1769 in Saint-Michel-de-Fronsac that produces Canon Fronsac. The estate covers 23 hectares, including 15 hectares of producing vines.

The estate offers a view of continuity and adaptation in the Fronsadais, where long family histories must coexist with changing market expectations.

Source: Sud Ouest Château MazerisChâteau Mazeris Jean de Cournuaud Canon-FronsacFronsac Estates and People

Bordeaux leads trade as Lynch-Bages 2005 tops the table

Bordeaux accounted for 37.4% of traded fine-wine value, while Burgundy held 15.7%. Lynch-Bages 2005 was the leading wine by value, and US and UK buyers increased their purchases.

The figures reinforce the market’s current preference for established Bordeaux with bottle age. They also show Bordeaux maintaining a substantial lead over Burgundy in traded value.

Source: Liv-ex Château Lynch-Bages The Fine Wine Market

Acidification expands across Bordeaux 2026

Bordeaux winemakers are increasingly acidifying Cabernets, rosés and whites to manage climate change effects in the 2026 vintage. Pascal Hénot of the Coutras enological centre said he had never acidified as many wines in a vintage.

The breadth of acidification shows that climate adaptation is moving across grape varieties and wine styles. The commercial concern adds a difficult counterpoint to the positive early assessment of quality.

Source: Vitisphere The VintageVineyard and Cellar

Mature Bordeaux regains market favour

Mature Bordeaux wines are attracting renewed interest in the fine-wine market.

The shift places bottle age at the centre of current demand and supports the market signal provided by Lynch-Bages 2005.

Source: Vinetur Château Lynch-Bages The Fine Wine MarketHistory and Archives

Quintus builds its wine tourism offer

Fifteen years after its creation within the Clarence Dillon group, Château Quintus is formalizing its hospitality division and opening its Saint-Émilion property more broadly to visitors. New facilities include a shop with a terrace, a tasting room and 2 dedicated staff members.

The investment shows hospitality becoming a more deliberate part of estate strategy. It also gives Quintus another way to develop its identity within Saint-Émilion.

Source: Terre de Vins Domaine Clarence DillonChâteau Quintus Saint-Émilion Visiting BordeauxThe Fine Wine Market

Hot vintages complicate the acidity debate

Bordeaux producers and researchers are reassessing heat strategies after wines from the hot 2022 and 2026 vintages retained freshness despite low measured acidity. Vinetur published the findings on October 23, 2026.

The finding complicates any simple relationship between analytical acidity and perceived freshness. It also gives producers another reference point when deciding how to handle increasingly hot seasons.

Source: Vinetur The VintageVineyard and Cellar

Bordeaux Tasting sets December masterclasses

Terre de Vins will hold Bordeaux Tasting at Place de la Bourse on December 12 and 13, with masterclasses included in the programme.

The event provides another direct forum for producers and drinkers at a time when Bordeaux is seeking stronger consumer engagement.

Source: Sud Ouest Visiting Bordeaux