Now that the approval procedure (overseen by the INAO, the French national controlled origin institute) is compulsory for all French AOC wines, Saint-Emilion

is event more demanding on the quality of its wines.

So, since 1973, the wines presented as Saint-Emilion Grand Cru are not given approval in their first year, as would happen in any other wine appellation. They are examined by the Tasting Committee the year after they are harvested to see whether they will age well. Only the following year, once they have been awarded their Ageing Potential Certificate, will they be presented for the general approval procedure.

Additionally, to obtain Saint-Emilion Grand Cru status, the wine must be bottled at the château.

The role of the tasting committees

The experts must first make sure that the wine contains no defects arising from an accident or a disease. They must check that it has all the characteristics (smell, limpidity, taste) that are expected for the appellation it is claiming. The Saint-Emilion and Saint-Emilion Grand Cru appellations are tasted by separate committees.

The tasting itself

Each committee member completes his own tasting sheet for each wine he tastes. The results are then processed by the INAO official who is there to ensure that the approval procedure has been properly performed. Two members of the Technical Committee of the Syndicat Viticole (the winegrowers' association) also attend the approval and ageing potential tasting sessions. Together with the INAO official, they make sure that all the tasting principles specific to the Saint-Emilion and Saint-Emilion Grand Cru appellations are applied.

 

 

 

 

The Syndicat Viticole de Saint-Emilion has always been in the vanguard of technical advances in the quest for high quality wines.

 

Pollen counter for monitoring flowering

Saint-Emilion has a pollen counter that provides precise information on the flowering period and indications on the work to be performed in the vineyards so as to obtain a better crop of riper grapes.

Technical advice

An œnological engineer is on hand at the Syndicat Viticole to provide winegrowers with technical advice and information. Also in charge of tracking wine approvals and experiments, he is an important link in Saint-Emilion's quality chain.

Training for winegrowers

Every year, the Syndicat Viticole runs training courses for winegrowers and all estate employees. The courses are on technical topics such as vineyard practices and wine science, but also on more general topics such as English for winegrowers.