Bordeaux, Diverse Varietals Used... Creative Blending Creates Works of Art

Editor's NoteNo two wines under the sky are ever the same. Even when grapes are grown on the same land and made and aged in the same way each year, the results are always different. Wine is a 'serendipitous drink' created by the harmony of humans and nature. Each wine, disappearing quietly after leaving only a single vivid memory, holds an intriguing story. 'Akyung Wine Cellar' brings you the unique stories of wines, each crafted and matured under different circumstances.

<23> France 'Mouton Cadet'

Launched in 1930, France's First Branded Wine

"Great wine must be made without compromise."

This is a quote from Baron Philippe de Rothschild, former owner of 'Chateau Mouton Rothschild,' one of the most renowned wineries representing Bordeaux, France, a world-famous wine region.

France's First Branded Wine, 'Mouton Cadet'

The origin of Mouton Cadet is rooted in respect and affection for the land of Bordeaux and for those who have tirelessly cultivated grapes there over generations. Baron Philippe de Rothschild was disappointed that high-quality Bordeaux wines were consumed only by a select group. For him, wine was meant to be shared and enjoyed by everyone, so creating a wine that maintained exceptional quality while being accessible to the public was a challenge he could not ignore.

The symbol of 'Mouton Cadet', 'Barbacchus'.

In 1930, at the age of twenty-eight, Baron Philippe de Rothschild set out to introduce a high-quality wine at a reasonable price, drawing on the Rothschild family's expertise. This was the launch of the branded wine 'Mouton Cadet.' At a time when winery names were synonymous with the product itself, giving a separate name to a wine was a groundbreaking move and a fresh event that went beyond the established production and trade practices of the industry. The name 'Mouton Cadet' combines the French word for sheep, 'mouton,' and 'cadet,' meaning youngest son, reflecting his status as the youngest son of the owner of Chateau Mouton Rothschild.

Baron Philippe de Rothschild and his daughter Baroness Philippine de Rothschild.

It was his daughter, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, who brought the name Mouton Cadet to worldwide recognition. After inheriting the winery from her father in 1988, she became a powerful ambassador for both Mouton Cadet and the Bordeaux wine industry. She promoted the brand through connections with various prominent figures, developed the 'Mouton Cadet Reserve' collection, and actively expanded the portfolio by adding white and ros? wines to the Mouton Cadet lineup.

She also created the logo 'Barbacchus,' which remains the symbol of Mouton Cadet to this day. 'Barbacchus' is a combination of the French word for beard, 'barbe,' and Bacchus, the god of wine, originating from her pencil sketch that merged a ram's head with a bunch of grapes.

Since 2014, her son Philippe Sereys de Rothschild has been the head of the winery. He is further developing practices that respect both the environment and people, while maintaining a leading position in the market. He aims to build closer relationships with the grape-growing community, improve the flavors of various wines in the collection, and foster a sense of connection among younger generations, leading the winery into a new era.

Creativity That Surpasses the Limits of Nature

Bordeaux, France, home to the vineyards and winery of Mouton Cadet.

Bordeaux is France's largest wine-producing region, known for wines with excellent aging potential and deep complexity. Influenced by the Gulf Stream along the Atlantic coast, Bordeaux has a maritime climate. Its proximity to the sea and the Gironde River, which flows through the region, create generally mild conditions.

The average annual rainfall is about 950 mm, slightly higher than that of Bourgogne. Summers and autumns are warm with abundant sunshine. However, the weather during flowering and fruit set in June is highly variable, leading to fluctuations in yields and occasional damage from fungal diseases. In particular, rain during harvest season increases the water content of the grapes, diluting flavors and causing significant vintage variation.

Despite the unpredictable climate each year, overcoming these challenges to produce high-quality wine is the allure of Bordeaux wines. At the heart of this is a kind of magic known as the 'Bordeaux Blend.' Most Bordeaux wines are made by blending various grape varieties rather than using a single variety. Since yields vary by grape variety depending on the weather each year, blending allows winemakers to find the optimal solution for each vintage.

In Bordeaux, a region with unpredictable and variable climate, creativity is essential for cultivating grapes over a long period and producing high-quality wine. Creativity is also an indispensable element in the winemaking of Mouton Cadet, which began with a spirit of innovation. Jerome Aguirre, Director of Mouton Cadet Wines, explained, "In regions where the climate is consistent and stable every year, many take a conservative approach to winemaking, but in regions like Bordeaux where the climate varies annually, diversity and creativity are inevitable. We approach blending with the mindset of creating a work of art by utilizing the diverse climate, soil, and grape varieties that nature provides."

Mouton Cadet carefully evaluates each vintage, focusing on maintaining consistent quality while reflecting the characteristics of the year. Director Aguirre emphasized, "In order to maintain elegance, complexity, and consistency, a tailored approach is required for each vintage, so precision in blending is extremely important. Climate change affects grape ripeness and balance, making vintage conditions crucial. To manage this, we closely monitor the vineyards to ensure the grapes reach optimal maturity."

A Century-Old Legacy of the Rothschild Family, 'Mouton Cadet Cuvee Heritage'

The 'Mouton Cadet Cuvee Heritage' collection is a wine that showcases the essence of Mouton Cadet blending. The Cuvee Heritage collection was launched with the goal of reinterpreting the elegance of Bordeaux wines while carrying on the spirit of Baron Philippe de Rothschild. The wine label features the original design from the 1950s, emphasizing their authenticity.

Mouton Cadet Cuvee Heritage Rouge

The wine is made from grapes grown in carefully selected terroirs in the Cote de Bordeaux region. It fully expresses the diversity, rich aromas, and refined style of the area. Director Aguirre explained, "We crafted the wine to maintain a balance between approachability and aging potential, so that it displays expressive freshness when young and beautiful complexity when matured." Cote de Bordeaux is an appellation comprising four main areas: Blaye, Castillon, Franc, and Cadillac, where Merlot is the primary grape variety.

The red wine 'Mouton Cadet Cuvee Heritage Rouge' combines the elegance of Castillon, the richness of Blaye, and the strength of Medoc's clay soils, resulting in a wine that is both intense and generous. According to the 2022 vintage, the blend consists of 78% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine displays a black cherry color with a hint of ruby, opening with aromas of red currant, cherry, and blackberry, followed by notes of nutmeg, toast, and wild strawberry. On the palate, flavors of dark fruits fill the mouth, finishing softly with subtle touches of vanilla.

The white wine from the same Heritage collection, 'Mouton Cadet Cuvee Heritage Blanc,' is also noteworthy. For the 2023 vintage, Heritage Blanc is a blend of 60% Semillon and 40% Sauvignon Blanc. It is the only white wine from Mouton Cadet that undergoes oak aging, being partially matured for seven months on fine lees in lightly toasted new French oak barrels. This process creates a rich yet supple and well-balanced character.

'Mouton Cadet Reserve' Collection

A Fusion of Tradition and Modernity... Wine Without Compromise

Mouton Cadet works with 150 grape growers across Bordeaux under long-term contracts to secure its grape supply. These vineyards, totaling 1,500 hectares, are cultivated and managed according to the standards and procedures set by the Mouton Cadet winemaking team. Seven Mouton Cadet winemakers, led by Director Aguirre, monitor the vineyards daily to ensure the highest grape quality.

In line with the global wine industry's focus on sustainability, the winery is also operated with the environment as its top priority. Director Aguirre stated, "Thanks to the efforts of the winemaking team and the support of grape growers, Mouton Cadet wines have obtained various certifications and labels that guarantee environmentally friendly production." He highlighted the 'Fair for Life' certification as a representative example, which embodies a long-term vision of sustainable viticulture, fair prices for wine producers, and high transparency for consumers.