In 1935, the Institut National des Appellations d’Origine (INAO) was created to delimit and enforce France’s wine appellation system.
The Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée system, using early, self-imposed guidelines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape as a model, stipulated limits on yields, vineyard density, training and pruning techniques, grape varieties, methods of production, minimum alcohol levels, minimum must weights, and the geographical boundaries of each appellation. AOC wines must pass a tasting panel. The Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) became a model for many other European appellation systems, as France’s controlled appellations assured authenticity and, to a degree, style. The INAO awarded the first AOCs in 1936; by 2017, 363 AOC appellations were granted for wine and brandy, while nearly 100 more were awarded to agricultural products (such as cheese and other foods). Over 75% of France’s wines and eaux-de-vie were released as AOC—hardly the intention of the system’s original proponents, who wished to protect and enshrine France’s most valuable wines. Like most appellation systems, France’s AOC had become a bloated category and one not necessarily indicative of quality.In 2007, the INAO, which oversees the protected appellations of wines, spirits, cheeses, and other foodstuffs, became the L’Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité—although it retained its former acronym. The INAO brought its appellation system in line with new EU standards in 2009 and established the category of Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP). French AOPs fall within the EU’s Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) category, and the existing AOC and the new AOP designations
Hey Troy! There are 11 classified houses in Saint Julien with 5 of them holding the rank of Second Growth (Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Château Gruaud-Larose, Château Léoville-Barton, Château Léoville-Las-Cases, and Château Léoville-Poyferré). The expert guide makes a quick mention that there are 11 classifed château in the commune. "Saint-Julien cannot claim any first growths, but overall there are eleven classified growths that now control 85% of the commune’s production." If you want to learn more about the 1855 classification feel free to check out the compendium page here.
A little confused here. Are there 5 or 11 second growths in st-julien? The expert study guid says there are 11
Hey Benjamin! We will have this updated shortly. Thanks!
In the review quizzes, the answer still lists that there are 4 Premiers Grands Crus Classé A, rather than 2.
These are all very good questions, and I've had a difficult time verifying anything here definitively. I've seen a number of tech sheets from the last ten years that mention that the wine has 4-8 g/l residual sugar (making it Bordeaux), however, there are quite a few references that mention that it's Bordeaux Supérieur, with some using the language that it's from the Bordeaux Supérieur region. There's a reference to the 2012 vintage that shows up in a number of places that mentions that it has 8-9% RS (this is 80-90 g/l). If anyone has any insight here, I'd also be interested to know the answer. It does seem that the style changed in 2005, and perhaps the 8-9% reference was actually from that time period, and not actually appropriate for the 2012 vintage? I think that you're probably correct, Keith, and that Bordeaux Supérieur was used prior to the style change.