Everything you Need to Know about Bordeaux Wine

Bordeaux may be the most misunderstood wine-producing area in France. Although the region is most known for its classed ‘Growth’ bottlings, it has a viticultural sector that extends far beyond that. Bordeaux is known for its diversity, with crisp whites, dry (cheap!) reds, and one of the most complex sweet wine producers in the world. The region’s savory, food-friendly bottles are ideal for pairing with a range of cuisines on weeknights at home, and best of all, most of them are more affordable than you might imagine. Learn everything there is to know about this well-known French wine area.

Bordeaux is the world’s most popular wine region. It is also the most significant. There are over 7,500 distinct producers in Bordeaux today, with close to 120,000 planted hectares of vineyards, producing close to 75 million cases of wine each year! For thousands of years, Bordeaux has been a popular wine region. The first people to start cultivating the area where the Ancient Romans.

Bordeaux Grapes and Wine Varieties :

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Carmenere are the six major grapes used in Bordeaux red wine making. Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa are now allowed in regional blends beginning of July 2019. The majority of Left Bank blends contain at least 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, whereas Right Bank blends typically contain at least 70% Merlot.

The two main white grapes utilized in white wine production are Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon (both dry and sweet). Muscadelle, Sauvignon Gris, Ugni Blanc, Colombard, and a few more less-well-known types are also grown in modest amounts.

Bordeaux wines, notably the highly sought-after reds and dessert wines from the Left Bank, are renowned for their remarkable ability to age. Because of their high acidity, pronounced tannins (red wines), and structured backbone, these wines have been known to age for decades in the cellar. Most reds from the region will benefit from at least a few years of maturity, while many young reds can quite drink. Dry whites are often drunk young, but these bottles won’t deteriorate with age.

• Bordeaux Testing Notes

Bordeaux red wines have scents of black currant, plums, and earthy notes of damp gravel or pencil lead, and are medium to full-bodied. The wines burst with mineral and fruit flavors before transitioning to prickly, salty, mouth-drying tannins. Tannin levels are frequently high enough that wines can age for decades.

Fruit flavors range from more acidic fruit to sweeter ripe fruit, depending on the quality, vintage, and location within Bordeaux where the wine is produced. Vintage variation is something to keep an eye on in this area.

One of the tricks to discovering amazing value is to talk about vintages. Vintages play a big role in Bordeaux. On a good vintage, the inexpensive wines offer exceptional value and will age for years! 

• Left Bank Bordeaux 

This region is recognized for its gravelly soils and graphite-driven red wines with Cabernet Sauvignon at the forefront of the blend. Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Saint–Estephe, Margaux, and Pessac-Leognan are among the Médoc’s most prominent sub-regions (the areas first classified in 1855). Médoc wines are among Bordeaux’s strongest and tannic, making them ideal for maturing or pairing with red meat.

• Right Bank Bordeaux

This Bordeaux region is famed for its red clay soils, which yield strong plummy red wines with a Merlot dominance. Pomerol and Saint-Emilion are two of the most well-known and sought-after sub-regions. The wines from the Libourne region are still strong, but the tannins are softer and more polished. As a result, right bank wines are an excellent approach to becoming acquainted with the region.

• Cabernet Sauvignon

A natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux, France produces the world’s most popular red wine grape. Cabernet Sauvignon is a popular wine because of its strong concentration and ability to age well. Primary flavors are black cherry, black currant, cedar, baking spices, and graphite. 

Today’s wine drinkers have a plethora of Cabernet Sauvignon selections. Some Cabernet Sauvignon wines are rich and fruity, while others are savory and smokey in flavor. It all depends on where Cabernet Sauvignon is grown and how the wine is produced.

• Merlot

Merlot is known for its bold black cherry notes, silky tannins, and chocolaty finish. It’s frequently confused with Cabernet Sauvignon on the high end, and it’s frequently blended with it.

Merlot is well known in the United States for growing alongside Cabernet Sauvignon in the North Coast region (which contains Napa Valley and Sonoma). Many of the major production vineyards may be found on the Central Coast (but there are a few notable exceptions with excellent quality!)

What’s new in Merlot in the United States is what’s going on in Washington’s Columbia Valley. The grape thrives in the hot, dry eastern part of the state, where nighttime temperatures drop dramatically and acidity is preserved. Quality can be found in the Horse Heaven Hills, Yakima Valley, and Walla Walla areas.

Last Words

Christmas is near, so you should know what wine to choose already. Keep in touch to buy Bordeaux wine online and pop up the New Year’s champagne together!