St Emilion classification finally goes ahead

On June 16 the St Emilion classification was finally signed off by the French government. The legal notification of the classification has been in limbo since January 2011. Those estates who wish to be considered for inclusion will be sent application forms by INAO the French Governments appelations body. All wines - including those aspiring to the very top ranks of Grand Cru, Grand Cru Classe, and Premier Grand Cru Classé - will be tasted blind and assessed on taste, their terroir, where they sit in the market and their existing reputation. As expected, the principle of classifying the terroir rather than the estate has been relaxed slightly to bring the system closer to that of the Médoc, where classified growths are free to buy more land and include it in their current brand.