Negociant Wine

It's from the French for trader: negociant. We write about them today because they are influential in the wine world. In fact, if you drink a lot of wine, it would be surprising if there were not a fair amount of negociant wine among what you drink. It's just as likely that you don't know it. And, it's similarly likely that you don't know what it means.

Let's clear that up. In wine terms, a negociant is a person or company or brand or label that buys grapes from growers, often what you might think of as leftover grapes and often inexpensively, and then makes wine from whatever they get their hands on. If the wine is labeled with an AOC or DOGC or AVA, or the like, it will have met the requirements for that particular appelation. But, the mere fact that you loved a particular wine in 2020, for example, does not mean that you won't love the same bottling in 2021 even more or that you might find it undrinkable. Such are negociant wines.

So, how do you know? Sometimes it's obvious. 

I'm going to use Cameron Hughes as an example. The most commonly seen of Cameron Hughes wine is the "Lot Series." When you see a bottle from that series, it will be labeled Lot No. [fill in the blank with a positive integer]. I've had some. And, frankly, the first few that I had were before I knew that Mr. Hughes was a negociant. 

I loved the first one I tasted. But, the fourth one I tasted was abysmal. I was confused, but did not work it out. It is worth noting, however, that most Cameron Hughes wines that I have tasted have been good, but not great, but they have represented excellent value.

Another famous negociant is Louis Jadot. But, interestingly, Louis Jadot both makes its own wines from its own grapes, but also buys deeply discounted leftover grapes from other wineries at rock bottom prices. Their non-negociant wines tend to be quite good. Their negociant wines on the other hand, at least in my experience, and in the experience of the experts who assign ratings, are often far less good.

So, how do you know? It's not obvious.

Or is it? Look carefully at the bottle. Look at the bottom of the front label for the words: Domaine des Héritiers Louis Jadot. This means roughly estate of the heirs of Louis Jadot. These are the wines produced from grapes grown on the Jadot Estate. There, they are picking the best grapes they have for their own wines. These are their premium wines. 

Those without that designation will usually be less expensive. They will also often be of more spotty quality.

There is nothing wrong with buying negociant-produced wine. In fact, there are often great bargains. But, buyer beware, sometimes they just don't taste very good.