Bordeaux is not just. Its vineyard consists of large classified castles and small properties, a rich history and contrasting terroirs. To approach all these facets and others: ecology, logistics, geology, here is a non -exhaustive selection of books, to read or to leaf through, to better understand the Bordeaux …
Winemaker
Owner of several large domains on the right bank of Bordeaux (notably Grand-Corbin Despagne), François Despagne is also a researcher in molecular biology and oenologist. Here he takes a plural look at the names Saint-Émilion, Pomerol and Castillon-Côtes-de-Bordeaux, analyzing driving choices, soils and the distribution of grape varieties.
“Around a bottle with François Despagne”, by Gilles Berdin, ed. Elytis, 127 p., € 20.
Historical
Drawing the chronicle of ten generations of Cruse in Bordeaux, since the arrival of Herman in 1815 is also revisiting the history of these Protestant families who have drawn the epic of wine from the XIXethat of trading, major upheavals, influence games, large castles. The economist Hubert Bonin makes him an exciting work.
“Crus and wine in Bordeaux (since 1815)”, by Hubert Bonin, ed. The learned Indies, 536 p., € 32.
Elementary
A small vadémémum without fuss, educational with maps and diagrams … which goes to the essentials to dissect the world of wine in Bordeaux with its 65 appellations, its terroirs, its cultural practices, its grape varieties and its singularisms (rankings, primers, trading …). It is a real manual to slip into the pocket of any amateur for a first approach.
“Understanding the wines of Bordeaux”, of Aurélie Depraz, (also in English), ed. DEPRAZ, 214 p., € 13.90.
Logistics
Here is deciphered the modalities of reception of the areas concerned by the three rankings of the Crus of Bordeaux: that, mythical, of 1855 (Médoc and Sauternes), those of the Graves and Saint-Émilion. Oenotourism, shops, exclusively concentrated visits to professionals … A precious guide as much for the general public as for wine players.
“Guide to the great classified wines of Bordeaux”from François Martin, ed. South West, 230 p., € 18.
Eco -responsible
After Saint-Émilion in 2022 (21 properties), the editions of the Autils, known for their very beautiful works on the art of living in the vineyards, selected 18 fields of the Médoc remarkable by the quality of their eco-responsible approach and their refined and warm welcome. Interviews, stories, tasting advice …, an elegant ride.
« Bordeaux Wallow Bordeaux Wallow: Hospitality and Living Art in the eco -responsible wine fields “, From Geneviève Jamin, ed. of the Autils, bilingual French/English, 152 p., 23 €.
Sensory
Large reporter, especially for “Géo”, all over the world, Florence Hernandez has been able to be disoriented by the mosaic of landscapes of the Saint-Émilion vineyard. According to its geosensory, it declines (minerality, complexity, magnitude, etc.) this unique terroir, carried by an ancestral history and passionate winegrowers. Beautiful photos of Guillaume de Laubier.
“Vineyard of Saint-Émilion, a terroir of humanity”, by Florence Hernandez, ed. de la Martinière, 224 p., 40 €.