Côtes de Bordeaux appellation gets go ahead

The new Côtes de Bordeaux appellation has got the go ahead by the INAO (Institut National des Appellations d'Origine) and just needs the Ministry of Agriculture’s final seal of approval before it comes into effect for 2008 vintage wines.

Assuming it is approved wine labels with the new appellation will be on the shelves from Spring 2009. The 4 areas are Cotes de Bordeaux Blaye, Côtes de Bordeaux Castillon, Côtes de Bordeaux Francs, and Côtes de Bordeaux Cadillac.

The appellation covers 1,600 producers who make 120m bottles, or 10% of Bordeaux's production. The idea is that the enlarged but simpler appellation should bring clarity for consumers and increase visibility of the regions as well as enabling wine merchants to make bigger brands to interest supermarkets and bulk buyers from overseas.