Bordeaux is the second largest wine growing region in the world. The Languedoc region of France is the largest.
There are over 7000 winemakers in Bordeaux.
Bordeaux Wine and Terroir
The reason for the great success of Bordeaux wines is the superb growing conditions for the vines. Climate, geography and soils all play a strategic role in making Bordeaux wine.
History, too, has played a part. It was the Dutch who drained the marshy Médoc region of Bordeaux in the seventeenth century, thus creating a fertile soil that would yield world famous wines.
In essence, the concept of terroir, which is the combination of all these factors, has made Bordeaux into an excellent growing region for wine.
Red Wine of Bordeaux
Eighty-eight percent of the wine produced in Bordeaux is red wine.
The major grape varieties grown in Bordeaux are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. Unlike the Burgundy region, red wines from Bordeaux are almost always made from a combination of grape varietals.
Different Levels of Bordeaux Red Wine
Bordeaux ($) – This level is labeled "Bordeaux," and is a consistent, inexpensive drinking wine. This level could be compared to a label wine, such as Yellow Tail of Australia.
Bordeaux + Region ($$) – There are fifty seven regions in this level of labeling. Only wines made within these specific regional areas can be called by their regional names. Pauillac and St-Émilion are good examples.
Bordeaux + Region + Chateau ($$ - $$$$) Chateau wines are produced by individual vineyards. These chateau classifications fall into the official 1855 labeling system.
When considering your purchase of a Bordeaux red wine, consider if you want to drink the wine now, or later. Your next consideration will be if the vintage is correct for what you want out of the wine. When in doubt, ask your local wine merchant, or submit a question to the professional friends of wine, a Web resource devoted to helping you learn about wine.
What's the Difference Between Expensive and Inexpensive Red Bordeaux Wines?
- Where the grapes are grown (where conditions are ideal yields great wine)
- Vine age (older vines generally produce better wine)
- Vine yield (lower yields produce higher quality)
- Winemaking technique (how long the wine is aged in wood, for example)
- Vintage (some years have better conditions than others for making wine)
White Wine of Bordeaux
Graves and Sauternes are the major areas of white wine production in Bordeaux. The major white varieties used in both areas are Savignon Blanc and Sémillon.
Some of the best quality white wines for the lowest price in Bordeaux are from the Entre-Deux-Mers area, which is northeast of Graves and Sauternes. Look for fifth growths, which yield big savings, in this region.
Bordeaux White Wine from Graves
The best white wines from Graves are known by a particular chateau. Certain chateaus have better soils and growing conditions overall. Classified chateau wines and the regional wines of Graves are always dry.
Classified Chateau White Wines from Graves
The best white wines from Graves come from classified chateaus. Within the US, these Chateau wines are easiest to find:
- Chateau Carbonnieux
- Chateau Bouscaut
- Chateau La Louvière
- Chateau Olivier
Bordeaux White Wine from Sauternes
Compared to wine from the dry wine from Graves, wine from Sauternes is always sweet, even though the same grapes are used in each wine. The reason for this is that Sauternes wine is made from the Sémillon grape, and is exposed to a mold called Bortrytis cinera. Bortrytis cinera is also referred to as noble rot. Sugar becomes concentrated in the grapes during this procedure. Also, during the fermentation process all the sugar is not allowed to ferment, yielding sweet wine.
Some Classified White Wines from Sauternes
These Chateau are easiest to find within the US:
- Chateau d'Yquem – First great growth, Grand Premium Cru
- Chateau La Tour Blanche – First Growth, Premier
- Chateau Rieussec – First Growth, Premier
- Chateau Doisy-Védrines – Second growth, Deuximès Cru
- Chateau Nairac – Second growth, Deuximès Cru
Sources for Further Study:
- Robinson, J. (2006) The Oxford Companion to Wine. England: Oxford University Press.
- Zraly, K. (2008) Windows on the World Complete Wine Course. New York: Sterling Publishing.
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