The name of the widespread and very influential Rothschild family empire is inextricably linked with the European banking and economic history of the last 200 years. In viticulture, members of the family are also well known for owning two of the most famous châteaux in the French commune of Pauillac in the Médoc. These are the two estates classified as "Premier Cru Classé", Château Lafite-Rothschild (French branch) and Château Mouton-Rothschild (English branch). Due to the partly very close relationship as well as the proximity of the two wineries, which are located directly next to each other, there have been close ties and a common history for over 200 years. There has always been an open rivalry between the two, long before the Rothschild families took over (Mouton 1853 and Lafite 1868). One of the first causes of conflict was the fight over a plot of land called "Les Carruades", which is located exactly on the border between the wine estates. A fierce dispute broke out between the two vineyard managers over the property in 1845, which was then decided in favour of Château Lafite.
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Egon Mark
Diplom-Sommelier, Weinakademiker und Weinberater, Volders (Österreich)