Bordeaux wines are world-renowned blends made with a predominant proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Vintage variance is particularly important in Bordeaux. Cellar-worthy vintages can surge in value over generations.
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What makes Bordeaux special?
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.
What drink is Bordeaux famous for?
One of the most important things to know about Bordeaux wines is that they are a blend of grape varieties. The red Bordeaux Blend is one of the most copied around the world and it includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec (with tiny amount of Carménère).
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.
Are Bordeaux wines sweet or dry?
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.
How would you describe Bordeaux?
Bordeaux reds are medium- to full-bodied with bold aromas of black currant, plums and an earthiness like smelling wet soil or pencil lead. Depending on the quality, vintage and what region within Bordeaux the wine is from, fruit flavors range from more tart fruit to sweeter ripe fruit.
What do Bordeaux 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.
When should I drink Bordeaux wine?
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.
What is Bordeaux wine similar to?
The phrase “Bordeaux-style red blend” may be used informally to describe red wines produced from a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and to a lesser extent Carmenère and Malbec.
Why is Bordeaux famous?
Bordeaux is a world capital of wine, with its castles and vineyards of the Bordeaux region that stand on the hillsides of the Gironde and is home to the world’s main wine fair, Vinexpo.
Is Bordeaux wine full bodied?
Describes a red wine with a powerful and pronounced tannin structure on the palate. In Bordeaux, wines are produced by blending varieties that are high in tannins; so they are full-bodied.
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.
Are Bordeaux wines blends?
As with the reds, white Bordeaux wines are usually blends, most commonly of Sémillon and a smaller proportion of Sauvignon blanc. Other permitted grape varieties are Sauvignon gris, Ugni blanc, Colombard, Merlot blanc, Ondenc and Mauzac.
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.
What is a Bordeaux style?
The term “Bordeaux style” is typically used to refer to a wine, not directly to grapes, but it implies something about the grapes used to make the wine. In the actual Bordeaux region of France, red wines are blended from the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petite Verdot grapes.
Do you refrigerate Bordeaux?
Fuller-bodied, tannic wines like Bordeaux and Napa Cabernet Sauvignon taste better warmer, so keep them to 45 minutes in the fridge. Red wine that’s too cold tastes dull, but when too warm, it’s flabby and alcoholic. Like Goldilocks, somewhere in between is just right.
Does Bordeaux go bad?
Unlike wines like Beaujolais, bolder red wines like Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Super Tuscans will easily cellar for 10-20 years. Some high quality bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon, Amarone, Brunello di Montalcino, Barolo, and red Bordeaux can age well for more than 20 years.
What is the difference between Bordeaux and Burgundy?
Bordeaux also tends to be big and bold in flavor, unlike Burgundy, which is made from the thin-skinned, finicky pinot noir grape. The stylistic differences in the wines are mirrored in the very different vibes of the two regions. Bordeaux abounds in vast estates fronted by big, showcase châteaux.
Are Bordeaux wines expensive?
There are about 10,000 wine producers all around the city of Bordeaux and not all of them produce luxurious and expensive wine. The vast majority of Bordeaux wines are affordable.
What is the difference between Meritage and Bordeaux?
Meritage is an invented word that combines the words merit and heritage.As a result, the pronunciation rhymes with heritage. These are blended wines that use only Bordeaux grapes, which include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, St.
Why is Bordeaux called Bordeaux?
Indeed Bordeaux is the name of the main city in the region. The city was founded by Celts. They named it : “Burdigala” which could mean “Bourg des Gaels” and could be translated into “City of the Celts”. Later on the name evolved into Bordale, Bordeu and then Bordeaux.
