In the abundant world of wine, it is essential to never stop learning, questioning, and exploring. At Château Cazebonne, we are convinced that curiosity is the driving force behind innovation and respect for our terroir. That is why, as soon as a few moments arise between the work in the vineyard and the work in the cellar, we passionately immerse ourselves in books—wells of knowledge that nourish our reflection and sharpen our practices.

Books to enlighten our viticultural choices

This section is dedicated to our reading list, to those works that inspire us and enlighten us on the history, geography, agronomy, oenology, or the climate challenges facing the world of wine. Here you will find short reviews of our discoveries, reflections on the perspectives they open up, and how they influence our approach to viticulture and winemaking. From the study of ancient soils to modern biodynamic techniques, through the rediscovery of forgotten grape varieties, each book is another stone added to the edifice of our understanding of living things.

Redrawing the Bordeaux landscape: insights from the history of grape varieties

Among these readings, Jean-Baptiste Duquesne's work, "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages", published by Éditions BBD, holds a special place. This fascinating book highlights the forgotten richness and diversity of the Bordeaux vineyards, a history of grape varieties that shaped the landscape and the wines of our region before being gradually abandoned. This dive into the past is a true source of inspiration for us, as it reinforces our pioneering approach.

Indeed, at Château Cazebonne, we have committed ourselves to a long-term endeavour: replanting in Bordeaux these so-called "forgotten" or "ancient" grape varieties, which made the glory of our vineyards and which are today perfectly adapted to current environmental and climate challenges. It is a bold move, a return to our roots, aiming to restore the prestige of Bordeaux's ampelographic biodiversity. This work is made possible by the unwavering support of the many wine lovers who, day after day, adopt and appreciate our wines, thereby helping to perpetuate this history and write our own.

Essential reading for the curious winegrower

Jean-Baptiste Duquesne's book is not merely a historical directory. By examining old land registers, the author identified over fifty grape varieties formerly grown in Bordeaux and abandoned over time. The reasons for this abandonment are manifold, ranging from diseases like phylloxera to standardisation choices imposed by the AOCs, which greatly simplified the grape plantings, mainly from the late 19th century onwards. This in-depth analysis provides essential keys to understanding for anyone interested in the evolution of Bordeaux vineyards and adaptation strategies for the future.

The influence of reading on our varietal wines

The knowledge drawn from such readings does not go unheeded. It guides our daily choices and pushes us to experiment. When we replant so-called "ancient" grape varieties such as Négrette or Castets, it is partly thanks to a better understanding of their history, their adaptability, and their agronomic potential, particularly in the face of climate change. Information on the vigour, disease resistance, or oenological profile of these grape varieties, sometimes derived from historical documents, is invaluable for building a resilient and diverse vineyard, as evidenced by other explorations such as that of the Prunelard or Saint-Macaire grape varieties. This is why reflection on the Bordeaux ampelography of Comte Odart is so essential for us, and sometimes the subject of our rants.

Just as Jean-Baptiste Duquesne invites us to revisit the taste and future of Bordeaux wines, do not hesitate to immerse yourself in his work. To do so, you can download the digital version of "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages" and deepen your knowledge, then perhaps test it with our oenological quizzes, before discovering our cuvées made from these rediscovered grape varieties by visiting our online shop. It is also an opportunity to better understand the legacy of publishers like Féret and Éditions Féret, who have greatly contributed to documenting and promoting the viticultural wealth of Bordeaux.