A term (also known as a ‘second label’) used to describe a significantly cheaper and simpler range produced by a winery, which is marketed under a name other than that of the Grand Vin (first wine). This is particularly common in Bordeaux, but the term is also used in other regions and countries. The finest wines from the best vineyards are reserved for the Grand Vin. The criteria vary considerably from château to château and may also change from one vintage to the next. These include grapes from vineyards with younger vines (around 10 to 15 years old), grapes from lower-quality sites, batches from the pre-harvest, wines from the second pressing, and wines from poorer barrel samples.
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