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Environment
and innovation 
Latest News, Environment and Innovation
|Le 20 May 2020
Why a wine bottle measures 75cl
Vous avez certainement déjà remarqué qu’une bouteille de vin fait 75 cl et non 1 litre. Alors que l’unité de base pour la plupart des produits liquides est d’1 litre (eau, lait…), la bouteille de vin fait exception avec son format traditionnel de 75 centilitres.
Le 20 May 2020
What is a Grand Cru Classé?
Qui n’a jamais entendu parler d’un grand cru classé de Bordeaux ? Quand on pense grand vin, bien souvent la première appellation qui nous vient à l’esprit est le Bordelais ou les vins de Bordeaux.
Le 20 May 2020
Choosing the right glass for your wine
Un verre à vin se doit de répondre aux 3 grandes étapes d’une dégustation réalisée dans les règles de l’art : l’examen visuel, l’examen olfactif et l’examen gustatif.
“The pursuit of excellence without compromising one’s values has always been my maxim in this wonderful adventure, during which I’ve experienced the joy of producing Great Wines and offering consumers excitement and pleasure.”
Bernard MagrezEnvironment
Sustainable viticulture
Sustainable farming
Sustainable farming is an agricultural system of production, the goal of which is to optimise the potential yield of the crop and the economic result, while taking into account the characteristics of the natural environment (soil, climate, proximity to surface water and so on).
+ This vital mission is overseen by our Research and Development Department Manager, who also holds a doctorate in œnology: "For us, sustainable viticulture is the right use of chemical inputs according to the real needs of the vine plant. The aim is to find a balance between the preservation of the environment and the production of high quality grapes.”
+ This vital mission is overseen by our Research and Development Department Manager, who also holds a doctorate in œnology: "For us, sustainable viticulture is the right use of chemical inputs according to the real needs of the vine plant. The aim is to find a balance between the preservation of the environment and the production of high quality grapes.”
Genodics
Recent studies have shown the effect of music and certain sounds on vines and how they can stimulate the vines’ defences against certain attacks or diseases. Château Pape Clément, in keeping with its pioneering traditions, has introduced this proven revolutionary process in its vines, while remaining perfectly focused on the task of producing outstanding wines.
SME, HVE Level 3, Terra Vitis
The Bernard Magrez team implements stringent, eco-friendly vine-growing methods according to the specifications set out in the Environmental Management System (SME). This seeks to improve wine-growing practices and to reduce the impact on the environment.
Specific actions that we have carried out have led to environmental certifications, such as Terra Vitis in 2012, HVE in 2014 and ISO 14001 as required in the collective certification of the Bordeaux Wines Sustainable management system (1er association du SME du vin de Bordeaux).
Specific actions that we have carried out have led to environmental certifications, such as Terra Vitis in 2012, HVE in 2014 and ISO 14001 as required in the collective certification of the Bordeaux Wines Sustainable management system (1er association du SME du vin de Bordeaux).
Electric tractors
As part of its search for innovative solutions, particularly in the context of environmental care, Bernard Magrez acquired 2 latest generation electric tractors for Château Pape Clément. This is part of a plan to develop a new approach to sustainable vine-growing in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. We are aiming to develop an electric “over-the-row” tractor specially adapted for use in Bordeaux vineyards with high densities of vine plantation.
Animal traction
Since 2009, horses and oxen have together worked with precision to help maintain the vineyards of Château Pape Clément. With the success of this method and the development of a specific tool called “La Pirogue”, today over 30 hectares (74 acres) are maintained in this way. Our Animal Traction Excellence Centre, an internal development department of the Bernard Magrez Group, has undertaken research and design work to develop modern equipment for working the soils.
The 75 grape variety collection
According to current climate change forecasts, temperatures should increase over the next years by 2°C to 4°C. By 2050, the Bordeaux wine-growing region could be facing extreme climatic conditions that would have repercussions on grape ripening (lower acidity and an increase in sugar levels and alcoholic degrees). The question facing us is whether the Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc will still be the best-suited grape varieties for the production of Bordeaux Grand Cru Classé wines. To address this issue, Mr Bernard Magrez created in 2013 a private collection of 75 different grape varieties. The purpose of this collection is to identify the “grape varieties of tomorrow” which would cope well with the future hazards of climate change.
Beehives
Château Pape Clément, following its introduction of beehives into the wine estate, was awarded in 2019 the BEE FRIENDLY label for its commitment to the protection of bees.
As part of our ongoing development and our eco-friendly approach to wine production, we wish our systems to protect the well-being of pollinators and thereby ensure that the balance in our natural eco-systems is maintained.
Bees now thrive in our vineyards and are thus an excellent indication of how bio-diversity is being successfully preserved.
As part of our ongoing development and our eco-friendly approach to wine production, we wish our systems to protect the well-being of pollinators and thereby ensure that the balance in our natural eco-systems is maintained.
Bees now thrive in our vineyards and are thus an excellent indication of how bio-diversity is being successfully preserved.
Vegetable garden
A little known fact among the general public is that Château Pape Clément also has a vegetable garden that produces a wide variety of fruit, vegetables and herbs.
The produce grown here is largely reserved for our 2-star Michelin restaurant “La Grande Maison”, run by the chef Pierre Gagnaire, whose task it is to turn this produce into gastronomic delights.
The produce grown here is largely reserved for our 2-star Michelin restaurant “La Grande Maison”, run by the chef Pierre Gagnaire, whose task it is to turn this produce into gastronomic delights.
Protecting the vineyards
Vines are today subject to two major threats: firstly, fungal diseases, such as downy mildew, powdery mildew, Esca and so on, and certain pests, such as leaf hoppers, red spider mites, and grape berry moth; secondly, the threat posed by climatic issues, such as hail and frosts. These scourges affect both the quality and quantity of grapes produced. Our priority is therefore to protect the vineyard from these hazards and thus ensure that a whole vine cycle is successfully completed and that the highest possible quality of berries is produced. To this end, our Science Department has set up an integrated protection strategy, which combines innovative techniques with natural spray treatments, while carefully respecting the vines’ fragile eco-system through the introduction of storm detection radars, anti-frost towers, natural barriers and so on.
Innovations
Precision viticulture
Drones
In order to enhance our expertise in precision viticulture at our 4 Grand Cru Classé estates, we have adopted the use of drones in our vineyards since 2013. This decision-support tool enables us to monitor our vineyards with a high degree of precision and over a short period of time. Today, this cutting edge technology forms a central part of our vine-growing equipment and helps pave the way for wines of ever-higher levels of excellence.
Precision viticulture
Manual de-stemming
Bunches freshly harvested by our pickers are placed on long conveyor belts, around which our harvesting teams (around 100 people) examine each bunch while painstakingly separating the berries, one by one, from the stems.
This labour-intensive method, which is also practised at several of our other vineyards, enables a meticulous selection of our finest berries and ensure that their aromatic potential is preserved throughout the whole of the vinification process.
This labour-intensive method, which is also practised at several of our other vineyards, enables a meticulous selection of our finest berries and ensure that their aromatic potential is preserved throughout the whole of the vinification process.
Precision viticulture
Robotics
Driven by the desire to innovate and protect the environment, the Bernard Magrez company acquired a latest generation electric robot for the vineyard of Château Fombrauge, a Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé. As pioneers in the use of robotics for the maintenance of cover crops in vineyard rows (2015), Château Fombrauge is seeking to develop further its expertise in this new technological advance.
Digital viticulture
Connected barrels
Seeking to extract the quintessential qualities contained within the grapes produced at Château Pape Clément, “integral” vinification has been adopted as one of the vinification strategies. This consists in bringing the grapes into early contact with the oak barrel, i.e. during the stages of the pre-fermentation cold soak and the alcoholic fermentation. This enhances the roundness and volume of the wine’s texture, achieves a better integration of oak, and brings a silkier finish on the palate. For an enhanced control of this vinification technique, we have invested in digitally-connected barrels. In this way, we are able to monitor closely the development of the wines’ quality.
Precision viticulture
Authentication of our wines
Counterfeit bottles are a growing market in the international wine trade. Once again, ever-eager to innovate and guarantee the authenticity of its 4 Grand Cru Classé wines, Bernard Magrez, since 2016, has acquired Prooftag technology.
This device enables us to place on our bottles a security seal and a unique digital fingerprint for each bottle.
This device enables us to place on our bottles a security seal and a unique digital fingerprint for each bottle.
Precision viticulture
Vats made of lightweight concrete
Château Pape Clément has supported the French company GALILEO in its development of a new spherical-shape vat made of lightweight concrete.
This material, made without chemical additives, is in fact twice as insulating as standard concrete, while weighing half as much as a traditional concrete vat. It is now possible to vinify and age wines while limiting considerably the need to use external energy sources.
This material, made without chemical additives, is in fact twice as insulating as standard concrete, while weighing half as much as a traditional concrete vat. It is now possible to vinify and age wines while limiting considerably the need to use external energy sources.