Wine "Petrus" - a world famous alcoholic beverage. This is a wine that is produced in a winery in Bordeaux. It is located in Pomerol in the canton of Libourne. This is one of the most famous French wineries. She is one of the five best manufacturers in this region.
Wine from Bordeaux
Wine "Petrus" produces only this economy in France, from its own vineyards. It is red, and at the same time belongs to a large winery holding of the famous French merchant Jean-Pierre Muex.
The area of ββthese vineyards is simply huge. She is about 28 and a half acres. Almost all of them are planted with Merlot grapes. Cabernet Franc is represented only in 5% of the area.
The amazing taste of the vineyard itself cultivates the special taste and aroma of the wine. This is dark clay. A prerequisite of this economy is that grapes are harvested only by hand. It only takes two days.
The process of subsequent fermentation takes place in special concrete tanks under strict temperature control.
Every year about 30 thousand bottles of Chateau Petrus wine enter the market. The final number depends on the year and crop.
What is famous for the wine "Petrus"?
It should be noted that this is the only one of all the French wines of the Bordeaux region that does not officially have the word "chateau" in the name. It has only recently begun to add to the name of the wine to give it significance.
In fact, it has historically been customary that the Petrus wine was simply called that. The reason for this lies in the fact that, according to Christian Muex, the owner of the vineyards, the chateau has never been here. "Petrus" was grown in an ordinary old farmhouse. "Chateau" is a very common designation in France of a country house of a manor type, intended for representatives of the highest aristocracy. As a rule, these are nobles who had their own park and necessarily their own winery.
Interestingly, in the entire history of this economy, only three times the land yielded so weak yields that the owners completely refused to produce wine. These were 1956, 1965 and 1991. French wine "Petrus", released at this time, today can not be found.
The history of the vineyard
It is known that this wine became so expensive and elite relatively recently. Until 1982, it was completely cheaper than many other wines in the Bordeaux region. And in the middle of the 19th century, local vineyards even gave very mediocre drinks.
The very history of these places dates back to the middle of the XVIII century. In 1750, grapes were harvested here. Thus, it is one of the oldest vineyards in these places.
So amazing this wine certainly makes the soil on which the grapes grow. The top layer is rich in iron, which distinguishes it from neighboring estates. There, the soil is mainly clay-sand and gravel-sand. The age of blue clay on which grapes grow for this drink is about 40 million years. And the age of gravel in these places is at least one million years.
Interesting features
This wine is also famous for the fact that it was it that the legendary detective Hercule Poirot drank , the character in a series of detective novels by the English writer Agatha Christie. This detail is described in detail in the famous novel "Death on the Nile."
It is noteworthy that a special tasting room and a wine warehouse appeared here recently. Only in 2002. They were designed by the famous Swiss architectural bureau called "Herzog and de Meron". In the past, the estate clearly demonstrated its commitment to its centuries-old traditions. But in the end I still decided on bold architectural decisions in the Art Nouveau style.
Wine description
Wine "Petrus", the description of which is given in this article, is known not only in France, but throughout the world. In the prestigious wine classification, it coexists with such famous brands as Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Margot and Chateau Latour.
But from all of the above wines is seriously different. The fact is that the Petrus collection wine is really expensive. Therefore, not everyone can afford to buy it. It is very expensive. It is especially appreciated by collectors and true connoisseurs of good, exquisite wine. Such people are ready to give crazy money for this drink.
Why is wine so expensive? This is easy to explain. The area of ββthe vineyard where the berries for Petrus are cultivated is relatively small. It allows each year to receive no more than four thousand boxes of this wine. And this is quite a bit, considering that it is sold not only in France, but also in several other large countries of the world.
Therefore, in order not to work at a loss, manufacturers set such a high price. So the wine "Petrus", the photo of which is in this article, is considered a rather rare and valuable drink. But if you want and opportunities, you can get it in Russia.
Unique Taste
The creators note that they produce this wine as carefully and carefully as a young family brings up their first child in life. Winemakers approach the matter very carefully, given all the nuances. Moreover, they do not use only the old and proven methods, they are constantly studying new modern technologies. Master advanced techniques. Trying to use innovative processes in production.
Accuracy and scrupulousness are observed here in everything. For example, grapes are sent only after dinner, when there is not even a trace of morning dew. It is believed that this favorably affects the taste of this wine. Workers pay attention to old vines and carefully separate the berries from the ridges. Observing these nuances is simply necessary to get such a delicious drink.
Varieties for the production of "Petrus"
On the fertile land where these vineyards are located, mainly clay soils. Therefore, they grow two main varieties, which we have already mentioned. This is Merlot and Cabernet. At Petrus, the first, predominant variety is mainly used.
To obtain a persistent aroma, the wine must be aged in barrels for at least 21 months. This is almost two years. Only then the barrels are uncorked. True, depending on the crop and external factors, these periods may vary.
For a year after the wine was taken out of the barrel, it stably smells of black currant. In the second year, connoisseurs begin to capture the delicate aromas of tobacco.
The annual output of this wine is about 60 thousand bottles. He is preferred by many famous and popular politicians, businessmen and aristocrats. Glasses with "Petrus" can be seen in the hands of show business stars who cannot imagine any triumph without this wine.
"Petrus" is a sign of prosperity, luxury and respectability.
Cost of wine
In Russia, you can find a very rare "Petrus" crop of 1945. True, its value will be really impressive - 1 million 228.5 thousand rubles.
In 1946, the harvest was less successful, so wine is considered rarer, and therefore expensive. It is not available, it can be purchased only on order. The cost of a bottle of such a drink will be almost twice as much. 2 million 457 thousand rubles. This is the most expensive Petrus you can find today.
On average, the cost of this drink is an order of magnitude lower. For example, the wine "Chateau Petrus" in 1975 will cost you 241.5 thousand rubles.
The wine of the 1973 vintage is considered the most inexpensive. It will cost you 155 thousand rubles. The wines produced in recent years are not much more expensive. So, for the "Petrus" 2012 you will want 213.5 thousand rubles.
Wine lovers reviews
Wine "Petrus", reviews of which are in this article, is one of the most exquisite, expensive and prestigious wines.
Lovers and connoisseurs of this divine drink celebrate its fantastic bouquet. Against the background of soft oak tones, you can catch all kinds of shades of various berries - both red and black at once. Most of all, they look like blackberries and cherries. As well as the persistent aroma of mocha.
The young Petrus has its own incomparable taste and aroma. It gives off currants, has a bright, as if sparkling ruby ββcolor. After the wine is aged for five years, experts in their reviews note that it acquires notes of ripe blackberries, as well as plums. Moreover, begins to give truffles and tobacco.
Compared with other elite wines, it ripens quickly enough. Only seven to ten years are enough. In such a short time, it becomes quite mature, reaches the peak of its taste and aroma. In addition, if you buy this wine today, then in just a few years you can sell it with tangible benefits for your budget. The commercial effect will be obvious.
Connoisseurs advise drinking this wine with exquisite dishes exclusively of French cuisine. For example, with tender white veal, foie gras or original truffles.
It should be noted that this is a very versatile wine. It is also suitable for simple dishes related to Spanish or Italian cuisine. So, in restaurants it is advised to order it along with Neapolitan fries, various pasta, chicken baked in sherry. Ideal wine for snacks. For example, blue cheeses, Parma ham or gorgonzola.
Trying such a wine is worth at least once in a lifetime.