It is clear to us that there is no definitive source with guaranteed accuracy since we have observed that no two sources agree exactly. Using CIVB, Wikipedia, the web and various books from our office library we have however, tried to compile some answers to common questions.
Our vineyard clients often ask us questions about various statistics and sizes regarding the Bordeaux winery market. It is clear to us that there is no definitive source with guaranteed accuracy since we have observed that no two sources agree exactly. Using CIVB, Wikipedia, the web and various books from our office library we have however, tried to compile some answers to common questions.
- How big is the Bordeaux AOC? = most sources agree that it is about 110,000 to 115,000 hectares, see table below depending on current replanting status and time of measurement. It has been shrinking over the past 10 years – so we believe it is closer to 110,000 ha.
- How many appellations are there in Bordeaux? = fifty seven (think Heinz 57 varieties!)
- What are the sizes of all of the different appellations? = We have tried to detail the principal appellations, some are so small and little-known that we have lumped them into the main Bordeaux/Bordeaux Superieur
- Wineries for sale in Bordeaux? = at any one time there are about 100 to 150 Bordeaux vineyards for sale although many of them will not be openly marketed.
- How many bottles of wine in a Bordeaux barrel? (note that not all regions have the same barrel size as Bordeaux = 300 bottles (225 litres)
- How much wine by volume is in a standard bottle of wine? 75 cl or three quarters of a litre.
- How many litres in a Hectolitre? = 100 litres
- What is a “Tonneau?” = this is a measurement used by the Bordeaux wine traders (Negoçiant) to define market price for a volume of wine. The volume of a “tonneau” is 900 litres of wine.
- What is “Clairet?” = Bordeaux Clairet is the red wine that is first drawn from the vats to increase the concentration ratio of juice to skins/pips/stalks of the remaining wine in the vats. It is also the origin of the word known in England as Claret, synonymous with Bordeaux red wine.
- How many acres in a Hectare? = 2.4610 acres
- How many square metres in a Hectare? = 10,000 square metres
- What is plant density? = The number of vine plants planted per hectare
- What is a Relevé Parcellaire?= the document that defines the density, age and grape variety for each parcel within a vineyard.
- What is the SAFER? = Les Sociétés d’Aménagement Foncier et d’Etablissement Rural. Please see our «essential tips» (download for free on the right hand side of the page here) for more information.
- Who and what are the CIVB?= The Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux. (CIVB or Bordeaux Wine Council) founded in 1948, represents the three strands of the Bordeaux wine industry: winegrowers, wine merchants and brokers. See more on their web site http://www.bordeaux.com/uk
- Who is the best vineyard agent in Bordeaux? = Vineyards-Bordeaux
- What is Vineyards by Christie’s? = a joint venture service company (conceived by Vineyards-Bordeaux) combining Christie’s Wine and vineyard expert affiliates within Christie’s International Real Estate.
Written by Michael Baynes
Hectares | Percentage | |
Bordeaux/Bordeaux Superieur | 70,000 | 56.09% |
Entre2Mers | 2,400 | 1.92% |
Cotes de Bordeaux | ||
Cadillac | 128 | 0.10% |
Premieres cotes | 3300 | 2.64% |
Blaye | 7000 | 5.61% |
Castillon | 2900 | 2.32% |
Francs | 490 | 0.39% |
Bourg | 3700 | 2.96% |
Medoc | ||
Saint Julien | 920 | 0.74% |
Margaux | 1413 | 1.13% |
Pauillac | 1100 | 0.88% |
Saint-Estèphe | 1230 | 0.99% |
Moulis | 550 | 0.44% |
Listrac | 700 | 0.56% |
Haut-Médoc | 4270 | 3.42% |
Médoc | 4900 | 3.93% |
Graves | ||
Graves | 3000 | 2.40% |
Sauternes | 1800 | 1.44% |
Pessac-Léognan | 1350 | 1.08% |
Barsac | 830 | 0.67% |
Libournais | ||
Pomerol | 800 | 0.64% |
Lalande de Pomerol | 1200 | 0.96% |
Saint-Emilion | 5500 | 4.41% |
Satellites de St-Emilion | 0.00% | |
Pusseguin | 753 | 0.60% |
Lussac | 900 | 0.72% |
St Georges | 192 | 0.15% |
Montagne | 1570 | 1.26% |
Fronsac | 1200 | 0.96% |
Graves de Vayres | 700 | 0.56% |
124,796 | 100% |
AOC Bordeaux Appellations Hectares Percentage
Bordeaux 44,530 37.48%
Bordeaux Superieur 11,735 9.88%
Bordeaux Clairet 700 0.59%
Bordeaux Rose 4,725 3.98%
Bordeaux cremant 240 0.20%
Entre deux Mers 1,325 1.12%
Cotes de Bordeaux
Cadillac 1,015 0.85%
Premieres cotes 3,300 2.78%
Blaye 319 0.27%
Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux 6,079 5.12%
Castillon 2,270 1.91%
Francs 403 0.34%
Graves de Vayres 493 0.41%
Sainte Foy 207 0.17%
Bourg 3,851 3.24%
Total Cotes/Bordeaux/Sup: 81,192 ha (68%)
Medoc
Saint Julien 920 0.77%
Margaux 1,489 1.25%
Pauillac 1,212 1.02%
Saint-Estèphe 1,214 1.02%
Moulis 603 0.51%
Listrac 597 0.50%
Haut-Médoc 4,596 3.87%
Médoc 5,652 4.76%
Graves
Graves 3,441 2.90%
Pessac-Léognan 1,703 1.43%
Libournais
Pomerol 804 0.68%
Lalande de Pomerol 1,138 0.96%
Saint-Emilion 1,449 1.22%
Saint Emilion Grand Cru 4,030
Satellites de St-Emilion0.00%
Pusseguin 748 0.63%
St Georges 198 0.17%
Lussac 1,454 1.22%
Montange 1,454 1.22%
Fronsac 819 0.69%
Canon Fronsac 290 0.24%
Sweet Wines
Barsac 465 0.39%
Bordeaux Haut-Benauge 26 0.02%
Bordeaux Superieur 54 0.05%
Cadillac 185 0.16%
Cerons 38 0.03%
Cotes de Bordeaux St Macaire 65 0.05%
Francs 7 0.01%
Graves de Vayres 7 0.01%
Graves Superiures 234 0.20%
Loupiac 344 0.29%
Premieres Cotes 195 0.16%
St Croix du Mont 381 0.32%
St Foy 48 0.04%
Sauternes 1,767 1.49%
Total 118,819 100%