Subscriber login Close [x]
remember me
You are not logged in.

Should there be a Bordeaux 2013 en primeur campaign? Have your say...

Published:  17 January, 2014

Both critics and producers took to Twitter and social media yesterday to defend their stance of whether or not the Bordeaux 2013 en premieur campaign should in fact be held this year and if it was would they attend. Here we look at industry opinion and give you the chance to have your say in our Harpers.co.uk poll. 

On the heels of one of the most challenging years for Bordeaux producers in recent memory, some in the trade are calling for the campaign to be postponed.

UK wine critic, Tim Atkin MW, tweeted: "I think we should postpone the whole thing by a year." He further raised the question in another tweet: "Why have an en primeur campaign?"

Others, like producer Gavin Quinney of Chateau Bauduc in Bodeaux, argue that despite a challenging year, en primeur is about tasting the wines, not necessarily having to buy them on site.

Gavin Quinney tweeted: "For many, primeurs is the only way they get to taste wine from some of the great estates." He further argued: "With tastings going ahead, let's taste."

US wine critic, James Suckling, tweeted: "I am going to taste as usual. Done the same thing for 30 years."

Atkin, despite calling for the campaign to be called off, did confirm he would stiill attend.  He tweeted: "Still going. To taste, talk to producers and for a photography project. Thinking about scores."


En primeur, in its current form, has been around since the 1960s.  The draw has been that buyers and investors are given the opportunity to try the wine after it has been in barrel for six to eight months and the wine can then be given a preliminary score that can ultimately influence the en premiuer price.  

The opportunity in good years, is that buyers and investors can buy wines two to three years prior to the release of the wines, with the expectation that the wine price will mature as well as the wine.  However, according to fine wine investment brokers,  Liv-Ex, recent vintages have not been able to produce the returns that are attractive enough for investors to pre-purchase the wine two to three years in advance and demand has taken a hit.


So what do you think of the Bordeaux 2013 en primeur campaign. Should it happen? Will you go if it does? Have your say in our poll below: 

Do you think there should be 2013 Bordeaux 2013 en primeur campaign and will you be taking part?

Yes, I go every year

Yes, I would if I could

Yes, but not willingingly

No, I couldn't be bothered this year

No, it should be cancelled this year

No, but I'll probably regret it

View poll resultsR

Keywords: