The Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (or UGC) is an organization of 131 highly selective crus (classified and non-classified) including the noblest names of the Gironde, the Medoc, Graves, Pessac Leognan, Sauternes, Barsac, Saint Emilion and Pomerol. Among other things, a major goal of the UGC is to "develop and employ tastings in France and abroad to make significant contributions to the notoriety and the image of the Great Vintages of Bordeaux."

Each year they hold tastings for a week in Bordeaux. A Chateau in each of the aforementioned regions opens its doors and allows members of different parts of the trade to come in and try the barrel samples of the most recent vintage from the other 131 members of the UGC. This is a helpful step in allowing people like us determine what futures we are going to purchase and offer for sale.

All pretenses aside, it is one of the largest social gatherings in the world for the wine industry.