The origins of a centuries-old regulation

The "Privilège de Bordeaux", also known as the "Police des Vins", shaped the viticultural and economic identity of the Bordeaux region for several centuries, from the Middle Ages to the dawn of the French Revolution (Source 1). This system, continuously reinforced by successive monarchs—whether English during the Aquitaine period or French thereafter—granted Bordeaux merchants and burgesses a near-monopoly on wine exports via the Port of Bordeaux.

The importance of the English market, the primary destination for these wines, was illustrated as early as 1203, when King John pledged to purchase the wines of Gascony. This privilege was the subject of skilful political manoeuvring by the Bordelais to assert their dominance over rivals such as La Rochelle (Source 2).

The key players and mechanisms of the Privilege

This privilege was initially reserved for inhabitants of Bordeaux holding letters of citizenship (*lettres de bourgeoisie*), but was later extended to any resident who could prove two years' residence in the city (Source 1). The main beneficiaries were therefore the Bordeaux burgesses and merchants, organised within the Jurade, the municipal body tasked with enforcing these regulations. One of the fundamental pillars was the sales priority granted to wines from the Sénéchaussée de Bordeaux—a geographical area covering the city, its outskirts, and parts of the Graves and Entre-deux-Mers.

These wines had to be sold and exported before those of the "Haut-Pays", which referred to the vineyards located upstream along the Garonne and Dordogne rivers (such as Bergerac or Gaillac). The ban preventing wines from the Haut-Pays from travelling downriver before Saint Martin's Day (11 November) was crucial in securing this competitive advantage for Bordeaux wines, allowing them to be shipped before the harsh winter weather disrupted maritime transport.

Impacts and challenges of a protectionist system

The "Privilège des Vins" profoundly transformed the region. It consolidated the economic power of Bordeaux wine merchants (*négociants*), establishing the Port of Bordeaux as an indispensable commercial hub. However, it also hindered the development of upstream vineyards, despite the quality of some of their grape varieties (Source 5). This system also influenced the aromatic profile of Bordeaux wines, steering them towards the preferences of foreign markets, notably the Dutch, where the addition of spices was not uncommon for exported wines (Source 6).

Fraud was commonplace and severely punished by the Jurade, whether it involved illegally introduced non-Bordeaux wines or fraudulent harvest declarations (Source 3). The system was contested on numerous occasions, particularly by the producers of Bergerac, but persisted until its abolition in April 1776 by an edict of Louis XVI under the impetus of Turgot. This edict marked the end of restrictions on the transit and storage of outside wines in Bordeaux, foreshadowing the free trade to come (Source 4).

The Wine Privilege: a heritage for Cazebonne

Studying this chapter of viticultural history is essential. At Château Cazebonne, understanding these past dynamics enriches our daily work. It highlights the importance of Bordeaux's lost and forgotten grape varieties that we strive to replant, offering a journey through time via rediscovered aromas and flavours. Our commitment to vineyard biodiversity, which allows us to revive ancient traditions, is supported by numerous wine lovers and the revival of Bordeaux.

This historical insight informs our philosophy at Château Cazebonne. It sheds light on our dedication to replanting these once-extinct varieties in Bordeaux, witnesses to an era prior to or alongside this hegemony. This work of safeguarding viticultural biodiversity, which enables us to revive forgotten aromas and flavours, is made possible only through the unwavering support of the many enthusiasts who have embraced our wines. We invite you to discover our cuvées crafted from these rare grape varieties on our online boutique. To deepen your knowledge of Bordeaux's viticultural history and the grape varieties influenced by the Dutch, you can also receive the digital version of Jean-Baptiste Duquesne's book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages" by clicking on this link, discover La Place de Bordeaux: a distribution system unique in the world, or test your knowledge with our wine quizzes.