St Emilion argument almost over

The eight demoted St Emilion chateaux that were to be reinstated to their 2006 re-classifications will now almost certainly remain with their lower 1996 classifications. The French government council has dismissed a proposal to reinstate the 2006 classifications which was submitted as part of a finance law amendment passed in December. This latest ruling in the on-going saga looks as though the writing is on the wall for the eight chateaux although there is still a decision pending on an appeal with a local Bordeaux court.