As the fourth largest French city, the largest controlled wine growing region (AOC) in France.
The beauty of Bordeaux’s wines, a synergy between the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, well supported by Cabernet Franc, that brings the balance and elegance that made synonymous with Bordeaux wine for centuries.
This can make it tough to navigate Bordeaux wines for New World consumers, who tend to be more grape-centric, born and raised on the label designates of “Merlot” or “Cabernet Sauvignon.” Remember the name of the game is BLEND in Bordeaux, it is the combination of the climate, the soil, the overall terroir and the dominate grapes that create a wine from Bordeaux, not a stand-alone, all-star varietal.
To gain an initial grip on buying wines from Bordeaux, recall that the right bank is dominated, in general, by Merlot and the left bank is typically anchored by Cabernet Sauvignon.
Labels highlight a wine’s classification, the region that the grapes were grown, the AOC statement, and the estate – similar to New World wines, except that many are not familiar with Bordeaux’s regions.
Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, the floral Muscadelle and Ugni Blanc are the only four grape varieties allowed to participate in the white wine AOC labeled blends of Bordeaux.
Home to over 10,000 producers and the artisan of close to 70 million cases of wine per vintage, Bordeaux is the modern-day red wine Mecca, beckoning pilgrims near and far to scout for, speculate on and ultimately imbibe in the crown jewel, Bordeaux’s exalted red wines.
Red Wine Grapes of Bordeaux Bordeaux’s red wines are the region’s most vocal ambassadors, living a legend and leaving a legacy to all who drink.
Bordeaux Wine are now available at The Oaks Cellars