Château Giscours, a third growth estate in the Médoc, hosted the annual Bordeaux ’Best Of’ awards ceremony on November 5. Over 500 members of the Bordeaux trade, local and regional authorities and international guests attended the ceremony, celebrated together with the international ‘Best Of’ awards ceremony.
The ‘Best Of’ awards were created by the Great Wine Capitals Global Network in 2004.
Bordeaux usually awards Gold and Silver Best Of. 2010 winners from Bordeaux were:
Architecture, Parks and Gardens
Château de Sales: Bruno de Lambert
The de Lambert family has been making wine here for five hundred years. One of the few classically proportioned châteaux in Pomerol, de Sales has a sweeping driveway lined by plane trees and large gardens that surround the château with the unusual feature of numerous bamboo plants. The “orangerie” is today a large and airy tasting room. www.chateau-de-sales.com
Silver ‘Best Of’ :Château du Tertre : (www.chateaudutertre.fr) and Château Castera : (www.chateau-castera.com)
Art & Culture
Château d’Arsac : Philippe Raoux
Arsac manages to continually innovate, evidenced by photography collections in the winery, and a permanent display of thought-provoking works by international artists in the sculpture garden. The château building is a clever combination of classic lines that date back to the12th century and startling modern touches, from the transparent roof to the immense Diagonale d’Arsac. www.chateau-arsac.com
Silver ‘Best Of’: Maison des Vins de Bergerac (www.vins-bergerac.fr)
Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences
La Winery : Philippe Raoux
The second award given to a Philippe Raoux venture, for the creation of a 1,000m² wine boutique and cultural centre. This unusual space is designed to engage visitors with understanding their own wine preferences. The setting is highly contemporary, unusual in the Médoc, and contains a gourmet restaurant, a tapas bar and space for theatre, music and other cultural events. (www.lawinery.fr)
Silver ‘Best Of’ : Château de Villegeorge (www.marielaurelurton.com), Le Quatuor de Listrac (www.fourcas-hosten.fr), Les Médocaines (www.lesmedocaines.com) and Agence des Grands Crus (www.agence-des-grands-crus.com)
Accommodation
Château de Môle : Bernard Lenier
This friendly estate is a combination of old-world elegance with modern comforts, including spa/sauna facilities for guests. Five individually decorated rooms combine wood floors, exposed stone and wonderfully comfortable furnishings, all with views over the surrounding vineyards. Tastings of their Puisseguin St. Emilion wine, and cellar visits are offered. www.chateau-de-mole.fr
Silver ‘Best Of’ : Château Gayon (www.chateau-gayon.com)
Wine Tourism Services
Château Pape Clément : Bernard Magrez / Claire Ballarin
Owner Bernard Magrez has invested heavily in winemaking and in restoring the château and winery. The château offers several spaces for the staging of personal and professional events, with a team to organise everything from catering to logistics. Luxury wine tastings are also offered, as are tours around Magrez’s other Bordeaux vineyards. www.pape-clement.com
Silver ‘Best Of’ (www.millesima.fr) and Château Giscours : (www.giscours.com)
Sustainable Wine Tourism Experiences
Domaine de Cantemerle : Christophe Mabille
This family-run estate in the Bordeaux Superieur appellation is renowned for its meticulous approach to environmentally-conscious winemaking. Certified in Sustainable Agriculture since 2005, the family has shown exemplary leadership in traceability, the minimal use of vineyard treatments, on-site recycling and energy conversion – all explained to visitors in the context of the benefit it brings to their wines. www.domaine-cantemerle.com
Silver ‘Best Of’ : Château Guibot la Fouvielle (www.vignobleshenribourlon.com)
To learn more about the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, follow this link: www.greatwinecapitals.com
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