The National Institute of Appellations of Origin (INAO), the official French body that oversees the appellation d’origine contrôlée system in France, has agreed to a new ‘federative’ appellation, the Côtes de Bordeaux. It comprises the four existing appellations Premières Côtes de Blaye, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux, Côtes de Castillon and Côtes de Francs. (Côtes de Bourg had been involved in this initiative but pulled out last year.)
They have actually been working together for more than 20 years to try to ‘to gain legibility and acquire renown’ but this is the culmination of their campaign for official recognition. I’m not convinced it will make too much difference to the fortunes of the producers involved but it would be heartening to see their co-operative efforts rewarded.