1. Pétrus is a red wine made principally from the Merlot grape in the Pomerol appelation in Bordeaux.2. The vines on the Pétrus estate are only replanted after they reach 70 years of age. The grapes are hand-harvested only in the afternoon, once the morning dew has evaporated, to avoid absolutely any dilution of the grape juice.
3. Demand for Pétrus far outstrips supply. UK agents Corney & Barrow rigourously control primary allocations on the basis of how much dosh customers have spent in the previous year. Secondary market trading then tends to see prices shoot through the roof - for a bottle of the 2005 vintage today don't expect much change out of £3,000.
4. Photographic records are now kept of every bottle stored at the 11.4 hectare property to combat the growing phenomenon of wine fraud.
5. The company refused to allow the makers of cult wine film Sideways to use Pétrus as the wine which protagonist Miles can never find a special enough occasion to drink. Bah pourquoi?
