Bordeaux wines, France
Wineries around the world aspire to make Bordeaux-style wines
What is Bordeaux wine?
Bordeaux (“Bore-doe”) refers to a wine from Bordeaux, France. More than 90% of Bordeaux wines are reds made with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec
Bordeaux is one of the most important wine producing regions in France. The Dutch drained the Medoc marshes in the 17th century. The climate is as humid as when the land was covered by marshes rather than vineyards, causing a variety of problems, such as rot and mildew.
Primary Bordeaux Red Flavors: Blackcurrant, Plum, Graphite, Cedar, Violet.
Bordeaux reds are medium to full bodied with bold aromas of black currant and plums. Depending on the region where the Bordeaux wine is from, the fruit flavors range from more acidic fruits to sweeter ripe fruits.
As with reds, Bordeaux white wines are usually blends of Sémillion and a lesser proportion of Sauvignon blanc. Other permitted grape varieties are Sauvignon gris, Ugni blanc, Colombard, Merlot blanc, Ondenc, and Mauzac.
Here’s what you need to know about how to serve this wine:
Best served slightly below room temperature (around 65 ° F / 18 ° C).
It is always a good idea to decant the red wines of Bordeaux.
Store Bordeaux and all your red wines below 65 ° F / 18 ° C.
A decent, solid producer (around $ 25 +) will easily age 15 years.
Food pairing with Bordeaux wine
Meat:
Black Pepper Steak, Roast Pork, Filet Mignon, Beef Breast, Buffalo Burgers, Chicken Liver, Roast Beef, Venison, Duck, Goose, Dark Turkey Meat
Cheese:
Basque Cheeses, Swiss Cheese, White Cheddar, Provolone, Pepper Jack
Herb / Spice:
Black Pepper, White Pepper, Oregano, Rosemary, Mustard Seed, Cumin, Coriander Seed
Vegetable:
Roasted Potatoes, Lentils, Mushrooms, Onion, Green Onion, Green Bean Casserole, Chestnut
Climate and geography
The main reason for the success of winemaking in the Bordeaux region is an excellent environment for growing grapes.
In Bordeaux, the concept of terroir plays a role in wine production, with the finest estates aiming to make terroir-driven wines that reflect where they come from, often from grapes harvested from a single vineyard. Remember that the right bank is dominated by Merlot and the left bank is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon.
Buying Bordeaux
Buying Bordeaux can be an intimidating experience. French wine labels steer clear of grapes and focus on geography.
Bordeaux has ruled the world of wine for three centuries and will continue to influence consumer trends and the future of wines for years to come.