Britain Boosts Bordeaux

Filed in archive French Wines on April 9, 2006

It seems Bordeaux has had a bad rep for the past few years. I have to admit that I can't remember the last time I drank a glass of Bordeaux myself. But, I wasn't necessarily shunning the wine. I honestly don't see much of it in my local stores or available through my wine clubs either.

One Bordeaux lover, however, may be able to change the unpopularity of this vintage:

Simon Halabi, who is among Britain's richest men, moved for the 18th century Chateau Cantenac Brown in the celebrated Margaux territory at a time when Bordeaux is being shunned by most investors.

Vineyard owners hope that Mr Halabi's arrival will signal a financial revival after a sharp drop in the price of their land.

A spokesman for the developer, whose fortune is estimated at €750 million (£517 million), said the Halabi family trust bought the property as a long-term investment. "He wants to invest in the chateau and the wine and to make it one of the best in Margaux," he said.

Another boost the Bordeaux is the favorable weather they've been experiencing:

After four years of dry weather in Bordeaux, winemakers are getting some rainy relief. Some 24 inches (606 mm) of rain has fallen in Bordeaux in the last six months - more than the total rainfall in the previous year - with over 150 mm in March alone so far.

'We finally had a normal winter rain season,' said Patrick Maroteaux of Chateau Branaire Ducru.

Read more: British developer seeks to revive the taste of Bordeaux and Winter rainfall boosts Bordeaux vineyards