Nicolas-Alexandre, marquis de Ségur
Nicolas-Alexandre | |
|---|---|
 Image of the marquis de Ségur | |
| Born | 1695 France |
| Died | 1755 France |
| Occupation | Bordeaux wine maker |
| Parent(s) | Alexandre de Ségur de Francs and Marie-Thérèse de Clausel |
Nicolas-Alexandre, marquis de Ségur (1695-1755) was a Bordeaux wine maker who during his lifetime was known as the the "Prince of Vines" due to his ownership of some of the most famous Bordeaux chateaus-including Château Lafite, Château Latour, Château Mouton and Château Calon-Ségur. A hundred years after his death, the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 would designate Lafite, Latour and Mouton as First Growths and Calon-Ségur as a third growth.
Early history
Nicolas-Alexandre was the son of Alexandre de Ségur de Francs and Marie-Thérèse de Clausel. Through his maternal grandfather, he would inherit Château Latour. In 1716, Alexandre de Ségur bought Château Lafite and following his death, that occurred soon after, the estate passed on to Nicolas-Alexandre. In 1718, he would purchase Château Mouton and Château Calon-Ségur.[1]
At one point he owned the land that would become the classified estates of Chateau d'Armailhac and Chateau Pontet-Canet.[2]
The Prince des vignes
Under the Marquis' influence, the wines of Chateau Lafite became firmly entrenched in the London market. Prime Minister Robert Walpole was a frequent customer, purchasing a barrel every three months. The Marechal de Riche-lieu introduced the wines of Chateau Lafite to the royal court of Louis XV and spoke glowingly of the wine's invigorating benefits.[3]
Louis gave Nicolas-Alexandre the nickname "The Prince des vignes" when he visited his court. The king mistook the buttons on the Marquis' coat for diamonds and complemented on their quality. The king was then informed that those stones were actually the cut and polished rocks from the Marquis' famous vineyards.[4]
Legacy
Nicolas-Alexandre is credited with drawing the line that divides the neighboring Chateau Lafite and (now) Chateau Mouton-Rothschild and distinguishing the different styles of wine that these two properties produce. While the other properties were sold not long after his death, Chateau Latour stayed within his family till 1963.[4]
References
- ^ The Marquis de Ségur- Chateau Latour history
- ^ Chateau d'Armailhac History
- ^ Chateau Lafite Rothschild - Profile
- ^ a b H. Johnson Vintage: The Story of Wine pg 257 Simon and Schuster 1989 ISBN 0671687026