Garage Wine

Garage wine emerged in Bordeaux in the 1990s. It was started by winemakers seeking to break tradition. They believed lower yields meant better quality, so they established small-scale wineries in garages and cellars.

These wines typically use mostly Merlot grapes, undergo careful selection, and are aged in new French oak barrels. The result is rich, full-bodied wines with soft, refined tannins. However, they also come with premium prices.

A key figure in garage wine is Jean-Luc Thunevin, who founded Château Valandraud in the Saint-Emilion region. His wines have even earned a rare perfect 100-point score from renowned critic Robert Parker.

Today, the term "garage wine" can refer to any small-production, premium quality wine focused on excellence.