Nothing can quite beat the elegance of haut couture: the individual tailoring, the attention to detail and the assurance that you'll be the envy of others. The elegance is unparalleled — and the price tag can be, too. By the same token, for sheer elegance and finesse, the classic wines from the top châteaux of Bordeaux are in a league of their own.
Just as you would for a one-off Christian Lacroix gown, you'll pay through the nose for a glass of Premier Cru Classe Château Margaux. But there are cheaper alternatives: Fans of classic Bordeaux can discover wines from lesser-known châteaux of the same region that will satisfy their taste for elegance without breaking the bank, like a frock from a less prestigious French fashion house. There may not be quite the same attention to detail, but you will be able to enjoy that inimitable French style in a more quotidian setting.
Or so claims Sopexa, the organizer of this year's Value Bordeaux tasting, which brings together a selection 100 reasonably priced wines from the region to present to the Japanese market.
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