To this day, the 1855 classification, listing the finest Bordeaux vintages, remains a benchmark for exceptional wines. This is true even though the sector has undergone changes, and this classification, initiated by Napoleon III, was not immune to criticism. Château Latour holds third place in this prestigious classification, and it continues to achieve success in the sector. In fact, it became the first vintage to be awarded organic certification.
A new era for Château Latour
The house's CEO proudly announced the news officially on Twitter. A caption reading "Certified!!" accompanied the image of his estate's Ecocert certificate. With this new title, Château Latour takes the step towards a new era. It should be noted that this certification has been in the château's papers for several years, but it was necessary for the château to meet all the organic criteria, preserve the original taste of the wine and be up to date on the communication of such a major development, before being able to share this news with the general public. The estate converted to organic farming several years ago, and the process within the Château has gradually adapted to it by opting for partial plowing by horse, the use of organic fertilizers, fallow land...
Château Latour has overtaken its competitors and is the first to have taken the leap towards organic farming. However, other Bordeaux wines, also well-placed in the ranking, have also decided to follow Château Latour's path. For example, Château Palmer in Margaux received its certification in 2017 after converting to biodynamics in 2013. But Château Pontet-Canet in Pauillac, Château Dufort-Vivens and Ferrière in Margaux, and Château Climens and Guiraud in Sauternes and Barsac have also already taken the plunge. Others are almost there, such as Château Haut-Bages-Libéral and Château Montrose. In Pédesclaux, Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande and Marquis de Term are also undergoing trials.
"Latour has passed its exam, it's fantastic, it's an interesting sign, we can only be delighted," declared the president of the 1855 Grands Crus Classés Council, Philippe Castéja.
A new trend?
The conversion to organic farming seems to be tempting the grands crus of the 1855 classification. Indeed, many of those classified are slowly moving toward certification, and some are even already planning for their future. 65% of the Château Montrose vineyard has currently transitioned to organic farming, without impacting the quality of the wine. Burgundy, another major player among the French grands crus, is also well-developed in terms of organic farming. Quite simply, Burgundy winemakers have always had a penchant for the vineyard as much as the winery.
However, organic farming is not necessarily suitable for all vineyards.
Hubert de Bouard, co-owner of Château Angelus, explained that: "It's one thing to say you make organic wine, it's another to be certified." "So I applaud Latour's choice, which sets an example. However, we shouldn't think that if Latour does it, everyone can. It's not easy. This year of conversion has given me gray hair. We had to invest a lot of work, personnel, and money to achieve a good harvest. Not everyone can afford it. It's not a universal signal. But it's a mandatory philosophy to force ourselves to move forward."
Indeed, the Bordeaux environment allows the vines to enjoy privileged meteorological and geological conditions; not all terroirs are so fortunate. Alsace and its famous white wines are an example, or the Champagne region, victim of the vagaries of the climate. But although some terroirs are privileged, they are not untouchable. The risks are not zero, as the Gironde, for example, just suffered violent hail last May, which destroyed a good part of the next production.
Patrick
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