At the Heart of Bordeaux: A Wine Publishing Tradition

The history of Bordeaux wine is inseparable from the name Féret, a lineage of publishers who, since the 19th century, have documented and classified the Gironde vineyard. Their publications are invaluable records for understanding the evolution of viticulture in the region. The landmark work, “Bordeaux et ses vins”, initiated by Charles Cocks and taken over after 1868 by Michel-Édouard Féret, became an authoritative reference. Nicknamed “Le Féret”, this guide is regularly updated and presents a classification of growths by appellation and commune, estate descriptions, information on terroirs, viticultural practices, and, of course, grape varieties. (Source 2)

Édouard Féret: The Pioneering Ampelographer

Édouard Féret did not limit himself to the famous guide. He was also the author of a major, though lesser-known, work: the “Statistique générale, topographique, scientifique, administrative, industrielle, commerciale, agricole, historique, archéologique et biographique du département de la Gironde”, published in several volumes between 1874 and 1889. For Château Cazebonne, the 1878 “Statistique Générale” is a capital primary source. It provides a detailed snapshot of grape plantings in the Gironde just before and during the powdery mildew and phylloxera crises (Source 3).

In it, Féret catalogued not only the dominant grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Sémillon, but also a multitude of secondary or now-forgotten varieties. Mention is made of Mansin, Pardotte, Bouchalès, Saint-Macaire, Blanc Auba, and many others (Source 3). These writings are fundamental to understanding the original ampelographic diversity of Bordeaux and guide estates like ours in the rehabilitation of this viticultural heritage.

The Influence of Féret's Work on Bordeaux Grape Varieties

The publications of Éditions Féret played a crucial role in understanding and structuring the Bordeaux vineyard. They made it possible to establish classifications and provide indispensable historical data that have stood the test of time. The precise inventory of grape varieties compiled by Édouard Féret in his “Statistique Générale” offers a unique window onto a vineyard very different from the one we know today. It reveals the existence of varieties now considered forgotten, the study of which is essential to understanding the shifts in varietal makeup over time. Féret's work, like that of the ampelographer Count Odart (Source 6), highlights these evolutions and the choices that led to the simplification of diversity in favour of a few dominant varieties. (Source 5)

At Château Cazebonne, we draw on these historical documents to replant these varieties that had disappeared, thereby helping to bring back to life a forgotten part of Bordeaux's viticultural heritage. This meticulous work is made possible thanks to the support of the many enthusiasts who have embraced our wines and share our passion for this history. To deepen your knowledge of this fascinating history of Bordeaux grape varieties, you can already download the book “Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages”. To test your knowledge, why not take a look at our wine quizzes, and of course, to discover the culmination of this approach and taste our cuvées crafted from revived grape varieties, we invite you to visit our online shop.