Bordeaux‘s signature grape varieties have traversed the globe, to the extent that Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot have risen to the summit of the world grape planting league in the past two decades.
What’s in a Bordeaux red blend?
A Bordeaux Red blend usually combines two or more of the classic Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Carmenère and Malbec.
Bordeaux White blend would most likely include at least two from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris and Muscadelle.
How much to use?
There are no specific rules on percentages in the finished wine, yields when growing or planting regulations as found in Bordeaux itself. It is simply a term for the grapes used and it depends on the producer to decide the proportion.
Having said that, Bordeaux region has a river Gironde, which travels right in the middle of the region. Both side has different terroir, therefore wine makers uses and grows as per the conditions.
Red Bordeaux
“Right Bank” Bordeaux- Merlot is the primary grape in this area. E.g. Pétrus comes from Pomerol and has more than 90% Merlot and there are more like Chateau Cheval Blanc, Chateau Ausone, Chateau Angelus & Chateau Pavie etc.
Wines from the Right Bank are known for their bold style, but because of the proportions of Merlot, they tend to be slightly smoother, with more subtle tannin.
“Left Bank” Bordeaux- The “Left Bank” of Bordeaux contains two main regions, Médoc and Graves, each with several smaller appellations. On the Left Bank, Cabernet Sauvignon is the primary blending grape, lending the wines a peppery flavor and bolder tannins.
In this area Cabernet Sauvignon (usually over 60% of the blend) is the primary grape which is further blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot (usually under 2% of the blend). Some of the famous wines from this area are, Chateau Latour, Chateau Haut-Brion, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Margaux Margaux, & Chateau Lafite Rothschild.
White Bordeaux
The last blend of Bordeaux wine is not red at all. Bordeaux Blanc is a zesty blend of primarily Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc (with a tiny bit of Muscadelle). Bordeaux White wines account for less than 10% of Bordeaux wine production, but they’re still famous, especially for the rich golden-hued sweet wine called Sauternes. Some of the white bordeaux are, Liber Pater Blanc, Chateau Cheval Blanc 'Le Petit Cheval Blanc' White, Chateau Cos d'Estournel Blanc, Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc & Chateau Haut - Brion Blanc.
The 5 Bordeaux Classification
Bordeaux introduced the concept of classification in 1855 under Napoleon III, and it now serves as an expression of quality and prestige worldwide. The principle of the crus classés (“classified growths”) perfectly illustrates the synthesis of a terroir’s typical characteristics and dedicated human intervention over many generations to ensure quality. It should be emphasized that a wine or appellation can still be outstanding even if it is not a part of these classifications!
There are several classifications in Gironde, listed in order of seniority:
The 1855 classification
The Graves classification
The Saint-Émilion classification
The Crus Bourgeois du Médoc classification
The Crus Artisans classification
(If i explain them all here, it would become very lengthy, so lets keep it to some other article)
By Gaurav Dixit, 9th October 2023
Picture Source - Internet
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