SGC (wine)
SGC is a brand of three Bordeaux wines coming from parcels of land that were not discovered at the time of the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855.{{cite web|last=Bennett|first=Neil|title=How a former hedgie manager is challenging the Bordeaux status quo|url=http://www.cityam.com/article/how-former-hedgie-manager-challenging-bordeaux-status-quo|work=City A.M.|date=26 February 2013 |accessdate=29 May 2014}} The secret parcels on both left and right banks of Gironde river produce a Grand Vin.{{cite web|last=Stimpfig|first=John|title=New £200 'concept' wines from Bordeaux|url=http://www.decanter.com/news/wine-news/530541/new-200-concept-wines-from-bordeaux|work=Decanter|date=15 October 2012 |accessdate=29 May 2014}} SGC parcels are small in size and produce a red wine in the following appellations: Medoc, Pomerol and Saint-Emilion Grand Cru.
Each of the wines have their own blend of grape varieties matching the specifics of the appellation. On average, SGC produces 1,500 cases per year.
Created in 2006 by Arnaud Christiaens, a former financier in 2006, it quickly gained recognition from famous wine critics such as Michel Bettane and Jancis Robinson.{{cite news|last=Robinson|first=Jancis|title=Château where?|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/5dedae56-66dd-11e2-a805-00144feab49a.html|work=Financial Times|date=26 April 2013 |accessdate=29 May 2014}}{{cite web|last=Robinson|first=Jancis|title=The £200 AOC Médoc|url=http://www.jancisrobinson.com/tasting_articles/ta201304222.html|work=JancisRobinson.com|accessdate=29 May 2014|archive-date=30 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530010457/http://www.jancisrobinson.com/tasting_articles/ta201304222.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last1=Prikhodko |first1=Anastasia |title=SGC is challenging the status quo of fine wine |url=https://www.theceomagazine.com/lifestyle/food-beverage/sgc-fine-wine/ |website=The CEO Magazine |accessdate=12 November 2020}} World champion sommelier, Gerard Basset, was an ambassador and shareholder of the brand before his passing. Nina, his wife, remains a shareholder.
History
Oenophile financier Arnaud Christiaens{{Cite web|last=Scott|first=Nick|date=2020-09-23|title=Robb Reader: Oenophile Financier Arnaud Christiaens|url=https://robbreport.co.uk/lifestyle/wine/robb-reader-oenophile-financier-arnaud-christiaens-2800780/|access-date=2020-11-09|website=Robb Report UK|language=en-GB}} founded SGC in 2006 with the goal to produce a wine good enough to compete with the best of the appellation. Jancis Robinson wrote "This is a scheme designed to kick the whole Bordeaux system where it hurts most". Coined as the 'Tesla of Wine' due to its innovative and scientific approach to soil analysis, SGC produces from the highest-rated areas of land.{{dead link|date=November 2020}} Arnaud's knowledge and respect for the region, combined with his inherent desire to challenge the status quo, led him to develop a business model that would turn the market on its head. He set out to find the best-untapped terroir in the region through in-depth soil analysis, thus adding a new layer of sophistication to Bordeaux's premier status in the wine producing industry.{{Cite web|title=Arnaud Christiaens {{!}} Official Profile on The Marque|url=https://www.themarque.com/profile/arnaud-christiaens|access-date=2020-11-24|website=THE MARQUE|language=en}}
The enterprise bore its first results with the production of 2006 vintage. As of 2020, SGC is sold by invitation and allocation only, and successful prospective clients are thereby invited to join the feted Le Cercle Group, the community of SGC owners who meet regularly around the world to celebrate and discuss their shared passions. The only exception from this being Hedonism Wines Mayfair, London with the 2009 vintage.
Recognition
World champion sommelier Gérard Basset was an ambassador for the brand from 2012 until his passing.
Master of Wine and wine critic Jancis Robinson wrote that the wines " withstand comparison with first growths" after a blind tasting putting SGC wines up against four first growths.{{dead link|date=November 2020}}
Notes from Jancis Robinson:{{dead link|date=November 2020}}
| class="wikitable" | ||||
| Producer | Appellation | Vintage | Date tasted | Score (/20) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SGC | Pomerol | 2009 | 18/04/2013 | 19.0 |
| SGC | Médoc | 2009 | 18/04/2013 | 18.5 |
| SGC | St-Emilion GC | 2009 | 18/04/2013 | 18.5 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.sgcwine.com SGC Wine Official website]
- [https://hedonism.co.uk/ Hedonism]
- [http://gerardbasset.com/ Gérard Basset]
- Michel Bettane