Intro to Bordeaux Wine

Bordeaux has a rich wine history with diverse styles, from legendary reds to sweet Sauternes. Discover tips for tasting and buying Bordeaux wines.

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Bordeaux is a crucial wine region, heavily influencing modern wine culture and producing some of the world's most expensive and collectible wines. Located in western France along the Garonne River, Bordeaux has a rich history dating back to Roman times, with significant development during the 1600s under Dutch control, who drained the marshlands for vineyards. The region saw the emergence of renowned châteaux and the popularization of Cabernet Sauvignon. By the 1800s, Bordeaux was a well-established wine producer. In 1855, Napoleon ordered a classification of Bordeaux wineries which remains today, highlighting the five most prestigious and expensive wineries.

Bordeaux is vast, offering a variety of wines, including affordable options. Four key styles to explore are:

• Médoc (Left Bank) Red Wines: This area offers both expensive and affordable wines. Aged wines, like a 10-year-old bottle, can be found for around $30. These wines are medium ruby to garnet in color with aromas of black cherry, blackcurrant, wet gravel, pencil lead, dark chocolate, and tobacco. They have high body, tannin, good acidity, and are dry.

• Libournais (Right Bank) Red Wines: Focusing on Merlot and Cabernet Franc, these wines are deep ruby, with scents of milk chocolate, blackberry, mint, baking spices, and burnt caramel. They are plush, with softer tannins and a hint of sweetness despite being dry. Bordeaux Supérieur wines offer good value here.

• White Wines from Entre-Deux-Mers and Graves: Made from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, these medium straw-colored wines have notes of white peach, mango, honeydew melon, fresh-cut grass, and beeswax. They are acidic and pair well with Thai food.

• Sauternes Sweet Wines: From the Sauternes area, these wines are deep gold with aromas of apricot, honey, beeswax, ginger, wet limestone, passion fruit, and caramel. They are rich, sweet, and creamy, suitable as a dessert replacement and capable of aging well.

Bordeaux's diverse offerings and historical significance make it a must-know region for wine enthusiasts.

Go to the full Bordeaux Guide: https://bordeaux.guides.winefolly.com/