Week-end des Grands Amateurs in Bordeaux - May 16 + 17

[AlexR]

Hi,

For the 4th time, the Union des Grands Crus organized this marathon tasting event in Hangar 14 in Bordeaux, overlooking the Garonne.

http://www.wga-ugcb.com/

From 10 am to 5 pm, the owners or representatives of nearly 100 "grands crus" (not just great growths, but mostly) were there, pouring 2 vintages:

- the 2006
- another vintage of their choice from the previous decade

This was an amazing opportunity to meet people and taste more wines than you can shake a stick at!

Entrance fee was 55 euros, but the choice of wines was simply amazing - practically the full membership of the Union des Grands Crus!

Upon arrival, one is given:
- a Riedel glass
- A tasting notebook and pencil
- A guide to all the châteaux

There were about 1,200 to 1,300 people throughout the day, including a sizeable foreign contingent.

Only sandwiches were served, at 6 euros, but you could drink all you wanted of 2000 Léoville Poyferré or 2000 Lagrange free of charge in the restaurant area to go with it!

I met a Londoner who had "just got into wine" - and had bought a hundered cases of 2005 great growths. I should be so lucky!

Anyway, the Weekend also includes a golf tournament, château visits on Sunday (a rarity in Bordeaux), and a meal at a great growth château on the Saturday night if you wish.

Bordeaux has a reptuation for being very elitist, but events such as this go a long way towards reconciling consumers with the great estates.

The wines? It's hard to know where to begin, and I arrived after lunch, so could only spend a little less than 3 hours there.

I fell in love with the 2006 La Lagune, Canon La Gaffelière, Troplong Mondot, and many of the usual suspects.

I thought I would post because I think the Week-End des Grands Amateurs is a great occasion to taste the cream of Bordeaux in the region of production and meet the people who make the wines.

Best regards,
Alex R.

[DavidG]

Sounds like an awesome event, Alex. Maybe something to plan a trip around. You say there were 1,200 to 1,300 people attending and about 100 wineries exhibiting. Was it very crowded, and was it reasonably easy to get a pour and have a few words with the Chateau representatives? Have you ever been to any of the dinners or the soiree later in the evening, or any of the Sunday activities?

[AlexR]

David,

I hope Chris chimes in here because his impressions are probably more worthwhile.

As to your questions:

The room is huge, but even so it can bunch up a little in front of the most sought after châteaux. Still, the wait is llimited and you have no difficulty talking to château owners/winemakers.

Chris and his wife went to dinner at Canon La Gaffelière (where you went to, I believe) and enjoyed it throughly.
A whole range of wines is served, not just the wines of the estate. And at least one other château owner is there too.

The Sunday activities as far as I can tell are sort of VIP tours of wine châteaux.

All the best,
Alex

[stefan]

Sounds like a great event, Alex. Maybe I can arrange time in France to make this some time.

I have mixed feelings about the world discovering La Lagune. It can no longer hide behind its humble Haut-Medoc appellation.

stefan