Veranstaltungenthe Grand conseil DU VIN DE BORDEAUXCommanderIES, WINE brotherhoodS

The Grand Conseil du Vin de Bordeaux

Day 3

Friday 17th September 2021

Château Lafitte – Wine Tourism Oasis

From 9 am to 11.30 am : Presentation / Conference & Tasting: “Bordeaux : terroirs, colours and sustainable commitment”

To begin the last day of the Programme, the group gathered at an oasis of wine tourism and wine estate, Château Lafitte in Yvrac.

Nathalie Escurédo, Grand Maître of the Ordre des Vignerons de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur and accredited tutor of the Bordeaux Wine School, gave a very interesting presentation in English: “Bordeaux: terroir, colours and sustainable commitment”, to explain in detail the various organic certifications that exist for the Bordeaux winegrowing region. This conference-presentation was accompanied by a tasting of five wines:

Château Marjosse 2019, AOC Entre-Deux-Mers white, HVE level 3, by Pierre Lurton
Château Thieuley 2017 , AOC Bordeaux rosé, Terra Vitis, des soeurs Courselle
Château Boutinet 2020, AOC Bordeaux Clairet, currently converting to organic growing
Château Couronneau 2019, AOC Bordeaux Supérieur red Demeter (biodynamics)
Vinum Terra 2018, Bordeaux red, natural organic (no sulphites)

Château Lafitte, is the largest events centre in the Bordeaux winegrowing region, located in the outskirts of Bordeaux, in Yvrac. The mansion was during the 19th century on the domain of Lafitte belonging to the Count du Val. In 1973, this estate of 37 hectares, of which 33 under vine, was purchased by a visionary man, René Floréal Laguens, a pioneer of wine tourism in Bordeaux. In 2012, the Bonhur family, winegrowers from the Entre-deux-Mers region, became the new owners of Château Lafitte.

Château Figeac – 1er Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Emilion – AOC Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé

From 12 pm, Visit of the property and the new winemaking facilities, followed by Lunch, a country-style buffet  

Mrs Blandine de Brier Manoncourt of Château Figeac, welcomed the group of Commandeurs on their arrival. She gave a fascinating presentation of this property, its history and its terroir. The visit continued by a tour of all the new winemaking facilities and barrel storehouse, as well as the beautiful tasting rooms. The group of Commandeurs were delighted to discover these recently renovated installations.

A delicious country-style buffet-lunch was served in the luminous "music room”, in presence of Mrs Thierry Manoncourt, Mrs Blandine de Brier Manoncourt and Mrs Hortense Idoine Manoncourt.

Mr Frédéric Faye, Managing Director of Château Figeac, was also present and commented the wines tasted during the lunch:

• Petit-Figeac 2016, AOC Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
• Château Figeac 2011, AOC Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, 1er Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Emilion

Sylvie and Adrian Shaw, members of the Commanderie de Bordeaux in Paris, gave us great pleasure by presenting a musical accompaniment towards the end of the meal, with the magnificent Pleyel piano.

We would like to thank most sincerely Mrs Thierry Manoncourt, Mrs Blandine de Brier Manoncourt, Mrs Hortense Idoine Manoncourt et Mr Frédéric Faye for the very warm welcome they gave our Commandeurs, in a wonderful family atmosphere at Château Figeac.

Uniqueness, daring and precision
Château Figeac has recently inaugurated a new semi-underground vat house of 5 000 square metres, equipped with made-to-measure stainless steel and wooden vats. This setting infused with elegance, innovation and precision was designed as part of a top-quality environmental approach. It provides two spacious, luminous tasting rooms for visitors.