If you are familiar with French wines you may have heard the term “chateau”, and if you have some knowledge of French you know the translation of this word (castle/country estate). However, in the “world of wine” it has a more profound meaning.

Though, chateau wines mostly do come from France, nowadays you can call your wine chateau in any part of the world where wine is produced. However, what it means in European Union means something different in USA.

Historically, chateau was a palace mansion like where noble French found their refuge during the war times or threatening political activity. Later it would refer to a place which sole purpose was to produce wine. In the European Union, “chateau” refers to the wineries that use grapes from the single vineyard of the property, as in contrary to most of the wineries that apart from using their own grapes, also buy grapes outside the property. Whilst in the USA, this term can be used as marketing label.

US requested EU to allow using “chateau” on American wines that are sold in the EU, which means that “chateau” standards would mean the same everywhere. However, EU has fears that American products will take advantage of the century old foundation, EU Parliament reports

The most famous and probably the most expensive “chateau” is Chateau Margaux, a wine estate in the region of Bordeaux that was first to achieve premier cru in 1855. Its recent release of 12 liter gold engraved label 2009 Chateau Marguax Balthazar, with only six bottles produced, and only 3 for sale, are being sold for the price of $195,000 at Le Clos, Dubai, is now known as the most expensive wine in the world.

However, you do not have to pay so much money and go all the way to Dubai to enjoy a special chateau winery. Book a wine tour toOller del Mas a millennial chateau in the Northeast Spain instead, for example.

Photo by Rohit Tandon on Unsplash