Of course, one of the key reasons why Bordeaux is so prized around the world is due to its aging potential. All of the red wines of Bordeaux will be aged in traditional barrels before bottling, but thanks to the emphasis on the tannic Cabernet Sauvignon grape, they are perfect for aging in the bottle.
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What makes Bordeaux unique?
Bordeaux is the largest wine region in France covering 11,7500 hectares with 60 appellations producing a range of styles with a predominance of red wines. Although it has 10,000 different châteaux, it is the 250 or so top wines, the Grand Crus that are renowned throughout the world and fetch high prices.
Is Bordeaux a good wine?
By far the largest, the most important, and one of the best French wine regions, both for high-end wines and for bargains, is Bordeaux. Great reds from the renowned chateaus are what make the headlines, but Bordeaux is so big, that there is plenty of choice.
Why does Bordeaux age so well?
Bordeaux are known for their age-ability. A good Bordeaux from a good year can age for decades because the tannins in the wine act as a natural preservative. Over time, the tannins loose a lot of the “fight” in them as the remain in an anaerobic environment, and mellow.
Why is Bordeaux wine so expensive?
Two effects — the aging of the wine and the selection of the good vintages — drive the price increase in the chart above. The most expensive Bordeaux wine, on average, and one of the most expensive wines in the world, comes from a tiny little place called Château Le Pin.
Is Bordeaux a heavy wine?
Bordeaux Tasting Notes
Red wines from Bordeaux are medium- to full-bodied with aromas of black currant, plums, and earthy notes of wet gravel or pencil lead. When you taste the wines, they burst with mineral and fruit notes that lead into prickly, savory, mouth-drying tannins.
Is Bordeaux wine high in tannins?
Young Left Bank Bordeaux
In it’s youth, Bordeaux’s tannins are so strong, the chalkiness in your mouth is unmistakable.As Bordeaux ages, the tannins smooth out, which is why the wine can fetch some of the world’s highest prices when very old.
Is Bordeaux similar to Merlot?
Bordeaux refers to a wine from Bordeaux, France. Over 86% of Bordeaux wines are red wines made with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Both grapes are originated from Bordeaux.
Is Bordeaux the best red wine?
Although famous for its classed growth châteaux, Bordeaux is a great source of classically styled red wines. A strong run of good vintages, increased investment in vineyards plus improved winemaking techniques have resulted in higher quality levels than just a few years ago.
Is Bordeaux wine sweet or dry?
Taste and Flavor Profile
The red Bordeaux blend is a dry, medium to full-bodied wine high in tannins with medium acidity. Because a Bordeaux blend can be made with several different red wine grapes from different regions in differing proportions, the color, amount of acidity, texture, and exact flavors can vary.
Should you let Bordeaux breathe?
Young red wines, especially those that are high in tannin, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, most Red Zinfandel, Bordeaux and many wines from the Rhône Valley, actually taste better with aeration because their tannins soften and the wine becomes less harsh.
How long should you let a Bordeaux age?
High-quality Bordeaux should be aged for at least 10 years but normally reach their peak in the 15-20 year range. More mass-produced Bordeaux wines should be drunk much sooner, after about 5 years of aging.
How long do you let a Bordeaux breathe?
‘Personally, I would recommend a Bordeaux glass rather than pouring it in to a decanter. ‘ If decanting a wine, Robert said that he would allow it to sit in the decanter for around one hour, on average.
Why is Chateau Mouton Rothschild so expensive?
As one of the first growth wines from Bordeaux, Mouton Rothschild is in demand and expensive. Bottles in good years sell for several hundred dollars, and more as they age and become rarer.For many, purchasing first growth Bordeaux wines such as Mouton Rothschild constitutes a major investment.
What do you eat with Bordeaux wine?
White Bordeaux wine, due to its freshness and flavor profile pairs with almost any white food: shell fish, fish of all types, oysters, clams, mussels, sushi, veal, chicken, pork etc.
What does Bordeaux wine taste like?
The taste of Bordeaux wine from the Left Bank delivers fruit scents and flavors of cassis, blackberry, dark cherry, vanilla, black cherry, coffee bean, spice and licorice. The wines are often concentrated, powerful, firm and tannic. Depending on the specific wine, it can appear to be austere in character in its youth.
Which is better Bordeaux or Burgundy?
Burgundy tends to be a bit more well-rounded, producing both reds and whites in equal quality, while Bordeaux is famous for the reds, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.Burgundy produces plenty of both red and white but the most popular of each are the Pinot Noir and the Chardonnay.
What is the heaviest red wine?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is perhaps the most well-known heaviest-bodied red wine from France. It is loaded with a fruity taste combined with cedar and pepper flavoring. Syrah has flavors ranging from thick red velvet cake to dark pitted olives.
What is the lightest Italian red wine?
Lambrusco
Lambrusco. The common winemaking method for Lambrusco makes it the lightest red wine on our list. In fact, if you want to nit-pick, Lambrusco di Sorbara is the lightest of them all. Lambrusco is the name of several wine grapes native to Emilia-Romagna in Northern Italy (Same region as Parmigiano-Reggiano).
Is Bordeaux a Cabernet Sauvignon?
A Bordeaux can be a Cabernet Sauvignon but a Cabernet is often not a Bordeaux. Welcome to the complex world of wine names.Cabernet Sauvignon is a grape, and one of the most famous in the world. Bordeaux is a region in France that is known for its Cabernet production, among other things.
Which wines are the most tannic?
The World’s Most Tannic Wines
- Nebbiolo. The Nebbiolo grape is, in many ways, Italy’s prized possession.
- Cabernet Sauvignon. If there’s one grape that most people are familiar with as being tannic, it’s Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Syrah.
- Monastrell.
- Sangiovese.
- Montepulciano.
- Malbec.
