Table of Contents:
THE GRAPES
THE REGIONS
Beers of France. Taste Bordeaux French Spirits.
Bordeaux Wines
With an output of over 450 million bottles per year, Bordeaux is the largest wine-producing region. It sits in south-western France, on the Atlantic coast. In this case, they are primarily producing red wines, with a few white wines. Important to realize is that several of these reds are the best, and most expensive wines in the world.
Bordeaux has 60 AOC designations. There are too many to list here. Additionally, each classification has sub-regions, and several of those have sub-regions. Indeed, these get very messy, and not everyone agrees on what is in which area.
Maybe, by breaking them up into areas, you can get a better idea of what they offer.
Let’s keep French Wine 101 VERY simple. The important thing here is a little wine information and finding it.
In general, you have two areas, the Left Bank, and the Right bank. The terroir is entirely different, and the wines are different in taste.
Exposition Universelle (1855).
First, we need to take a quick trip to Paris. The new Emperor Napoleon III (nephew of THAT Napoleon) wants to show off France in a new light.
This showing includes the best Bordeaux wines which are on display for the world to see.
But what are Bordeaux’s best wines? Brokers from the French wine industry ranked the wines according to the château’s reputation and wine’s trading price. The result is the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. They take it seriously only allowing two changes since its publication.
They go a layer deeper, dividing the red wines into five classifications they call “growths” (crus).
Premiers Crus, (the highest) Deuxièmes Crus, Troisièmes Crus, Quatrièmes Crus, and Cinquièmes Crus.
Confusing yet? It only gets worse. First of all, this does not apply to Bordeaux white wine. Different rating system.
Also, this does not apply to the red wines of St Emilion or the sweet white wines from Sauternes. Different rating system.
Moreover, this does not apply to any other French wine region.
Now we start to see why there are so many shelves in the France section at the wine store.
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The Grapes
It is important to note that a large part of the Bordeaux wines is a blend of different grape varieties. The best wines of Bordeaux have always been a product of blending different grapes.
In total, AOC law allows ten grape varietals for the production of Bordeaux wine. Six grapes for making red wine and four grapes for white Bordeaux wines.
Close to 90% of all Bordeaux vineyards are growing grapes to produce red wine.
Red Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon – offers intense flavors, elegant textures, and aromatics with multiple levels. High acidity and tannin levels allow for long aging.
Merlot – has higher sugar levels, (sweetness) and medium acidity. The alcohol level is higher than other grapes. It adds texture and roundness to the taste by adding rich fruit aromas.
Cabernet Franc – has some similarities to Merlot but is not as fleshy. It produces fruit flavors similar to Merlot, has a low tannin structure, high acidity, and provides a deep red color.
Petit Verdot – is one of the oldest grapes in the region, but somewhat finicky to grow. It no longer appears in Bordeaux wines like it used to. With thick skin and moderate acidity, it has a fresh taste, medium tannins and adds structure.
Malbec – is another old, but fading Bordeaux grape. It never recovers from the phylloxera epidemic. The french Malbec is much different than that in S. America. French wine has higher acidity and medium intensity. Malbec produces a dark red color.
Carménère – is another old, but seldom used grape in Bordeaux. Very popular in Chile. The Carménère produces a deep red color. It has medium tannins, medium body and fruit flavors.
The idea of blending is to accentuate the good traits of the grapes. For instance, the structure comes from the Cabernet, while the Merlot provides a supple, fruit flavor.
Bordeaux Wine Regions.
The Left Bank.
To clarify, everything on the left-hand side of the Garonne River as you are facing down the river (north). This area includes the old city side of Bordeaux. Necessary to understand, ALL of the First growth Bordeaux wines come from this region.
North of the city, the Left Bank includes appellations and vineyards such as:
- Margaux – Chateau Margaux.
- St. Julien – Chateau Leoville Barton.
- Pauillac – Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Latour, Chateau Mouton Rothschild.
- St. Estephe – Chateau Montrose.
- Bordeaux – Chateau Haut Brion.
South of the city, the Left Bank includes appellations and vineyards such as:
- Pessac Leognan (Graves) Some excellent white wines. – Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte.
- Sauternes, a sub-region of Pessac produces delicious white wines. – Château d’Yquem.
- Haut Medoc – Chateau La Tour Carnet Chateau Cantemerle
Most popular Left Bank Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The wines from this region are blends of different grapes.
The Right Bank.
Everything that is sitting east of the river is the Right Bank. It includes appellations and vineyards such as:
- Pomerol – Petrus, (Website in French), Chateau Lafleur and Château Le Pin
- St. Emilion – Chateau Cheval Blanc, Chateau Figeac,
Most popular Right Bank Grapes: Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with less Cabernet Sauvignon than on the Left Bank.
White Grapes
Sauvignon Blanc – is a versatile grape. It can make sweet, dry, mild, or intense wines. If it stays in contact with the skins, it becomes more intense. Heat increases the minerality. Coolness produces a fruitier flavor with more acidity.
Semillon – has a thin skin, body, depth, concentration, and is low in acidity. Its fruit flavors make it perfect for sweet white wine. It can also produce dry, white, wines in the right soil.
Muscadelle – has an intense, sweet nature making it too sugary for most Bordeaux producers. They may add a little to dessert wines.
Sauvignon Gris – came close to extinction during the phylloxera epidemic. The grape is high in sugar and has good acidity. Due to low yields, it produces an intense flavor.
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