UK focus for Cru Bourgeois 2011 selection

The first showing outside Bordeaux of the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc 2011 Official Selection will take place in London on 19 September with a tasting and panel discussion.

The 2010 Cru Bourgeois selection tasting

Since the 2008 vintage, wines qualifying for the Cru Bourgeois classification must pass a quality assurance judging process, which is then guaranteed by a sticker with a unique code for each bottle.

The category is open to estates not included in the 1855 classification and incorporates eight Left Bank Bordeaux appellations: Médoc, Haut-Médoc, Listrac-Médoc, Moulis, Margaux, Saint Julien, Pauillac and Saint Estèphe. These wines typically retail in the UK for an average price of £16-£20.

The 2010 vintage saw 260 wines qualify for the Cru Bourgeois label, up from 246 wines in the inaugural 2009 list. The 2011 selection is due to be announced by the Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc on 17 September in Bordeaux.

Two days later, the wines will go on show to the London trade at 10-11 Carlton House Terrace. In addition to the tasting, there will be a panel discussion on the subject “How to add value to your Bordeaux selection with Crus Bourgeois”.

Chaired by Stephen Brook and a representative from the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc, the panel will feature Laura Jewell MW, category development manager for wine at Tesco; Hal Wilson, managing director of Cambridge Wine Merchants; Ronan Sayburn MS, head of wines at The Dorchester Collection; and Dirceu Vianna Junior MW, wine director at Coe Group.

For further information about the event, please contact louise@phillips-hill.co.uk