What Does Bordeaux Mean?

Bordeaux wine is one of the most well-known and respected wines in the world. This renowned red blend has been produced in France’s Bordeaux region since at least the 8th century and is renowned for its complexity, flavor, and aroma.

The Bordeaux region covers over 120,000 hectares of land and includes more than 10,000 châteaus producing some of the world’s finest wines. Bordeaux’s wine production are about 59 million cases per vintage.

History Of Bordeaux

The Bordeaux region is located in southwestern France that has been producing wines for centuries. The history of winemaking in Bordeaux dates back to the Roman era, when the vineyards were first established. Over time, the region has become famous for its red and white wines made from a variety of grape varieties.

The primary grape varieties used in Bordeaux include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenere for red wines; and Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle for white wines. These grapes are grown across several sub-regions within Bordeaux such as Médoc, Saint-Émilion, Pomerol and Graves.

Each sub-region has its unique soil composition which affects the taste of the wine produced there.

What is Bordeaux Wine?

Known for its unique blends of red wines and white wines, Bordeaux has been producing some of the finest wines for centuries. The region is located in southwest France and produces a wide range of both still and sparkling wines. Bordeaux’s most famous type of wine is the Bordeaux blend, which combines traditional French grapes to yield outstanding wines.

Red Bordeaux wines

The grape varieties used in the Bordeaux blend are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Meunier to produce red wines.

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most prominent grape varieties used in Red Bordeaux wines. This variety is known for its deep color and robust flavor profile, making it an ideal complement to other grapes like Merlot and Pinot Meunier. In a blend, Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure and refined tannins that balance out softer varietals.

Merlot is another grape variety commonly used in Bordeaux red wines. This medium-bodied grape has softer tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon and adds a fruity character to the Bordeaux blend.

White Bordeaux Wines

These wines are made primarily from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes, with the occasional addition of Muscadelle. The result is a crisp, refreshing wine with floral and citrus notes, along with a mineral backbone.

Sauvignon Blanc brings an herbaceous, grassy character to the blend, while Semillon adds body and depth. In particular, White Bordeaux blends from the Graves sub-region tend to have a higher proportion of Semillon compared to Sauvignon Blanc. Meanwhile, Sauternes is another notable style of White Bordeaux wine that showcases both grapes at their sweetest. Made from botrytis-affected grapes (also known as noble rot), Sauternes is a dessert wine with honeyed flavors and aromas of apricot and peach.

Red Bordeaux tasting notes

Red Bordeaux wines are known for their elegance and finesse, and tasting notes add to the experience of enjoying these delicious wines. The aromas and flavor profiles of red Bordeaux wines can be complex, but with a little bit of knowledge, anyone can appreciate the nuances that make them so special. Some common tasting notes found in red Bordeaux wines include blackcurrant, graphite, plum, cedar, and violet.

Blackcurrant is one of the most prominent flavors found in red Bordeaux wine. This fruity aroma is often accompanied by undertones of earthiness or spice. Graphite is another common note found in red Bordeaux wine that adds a mineral edge to its overall taste profile. Plum flavors are also present in many red Bordeaux wines and contribute to the overall fruitiness of the wine.

Cedar or vanilla is a woody flavor often found in aged red Bordeaux wines that have been matured in oak barrels.

How to serve Red Bordeaux wine

Its rich flavor profile and complex aroma make it a favorite among wine enthusiasts. But serving red Bordeaux wine can be tricky – there are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure that you get the most out of your bottle.

Firstly, temperature is crucial when it comes to serving red Bordeaux wine. Ideally, you should serve it at around 16-18°C (60-65°F). This will help to bring out the full range of flavors and aromas in the wine. If your bottle has been stored at room temperature, consider chilling it for about 30 minutes before serving.

When and How Should you let Red Bordeaux wine Breathe?

One of the most crucial steps to serving red Bordeaux wine is allowing it to breathe. When you first open the bottle, it’s best to let it sit for at least 30 minutes before pouring your first glass. This will allow the flavors and aromas of the wine to fully develop.

The duration of how long you should let your red Bordeaux wine breathe depends on several factors such as its age, vintage, and grape varietals used. Younger wines tend to require more airtime than older ones as they are still developing their full potential. Typically, an hour of breathing time is enough for younger red Bordeaux wines while older ones may only need around 10-20 minutes.

Bordeaux sub regions

Bordeaux is one of the most famous wine regions in the world, known for its exceptional quality and diverse range of flavors. The region is divided into several prestigious sub regions that each have their own unique characteristics and styles.

Left bank Bordeaux

The left bank Bordeaux region is a wine lover’s paradise. The famous blend from this region is the Left Bank Bordeaux Blend, which contains Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and sometimes Petit Verdot.

The soil in this region plays a vital role in producing these fine wines. The left bank consists of gravel and sand deposits that are perfect for growing grapes. These soils provide excellent drainage and help regulate temperature, leading to grapes with concentrated flavors.

The wines have complex aromas with hints of dark fruits like blackcurrant and plum as well as subtle notes of tobacco and leather. This complexity comes from the blending process used by winemakers in Left Bank Bordeaux to create the perfect balance between different grape varieties.

Medoc

One of the most well-known subregions is Medoc, located on the left bank of the Gironde estuary. This area produces some of Bordeaux’s most highly regarded red wines, including those made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

Graves

Another important subregion is Graves, which takes its name from the gravelly soil that gives its wines a distinct minerality yielding graphite driven red wines. Graves produces both red and white wines, with Sauvignon Blanc being a popular grape variety for whites. The reds are typically made with Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot grapes.

Sauternais

Sauternais is a small region located in the Gironde department of southwestern France. It’s renowned for producing one of the most luxurious and prized sweet white wines in the world, Sauternes. The wine is created from three grape varieties: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle.

The unique climate conditions in Sauternais bordeaux vineyard contribute to the creation of this unparalleled wine. The warm days and cool nights create a mist that covers the grapes, encouraging botrytis cinerea or “noble rot” to grow on them. This fungus causes water inside the grapes to evaporate, resulting in concentrated sugars and flavors.

Winemaking has been part of Sauternais’ history since Roman times. However, it wasn’t until the 18th century when Thomas Jefferson declared his love for Sauternes that it gained international recognition.

In the Middle – Entre deux Mers Bordeaux

The French wine region, is considered to be one of the best in the world. It is known for its rich and full-bodied wines that are valued by wine-lovers across the globe. Entre deux mers, which translates as “between two seas,” is a subregion located between two major rivers- the Garonne and Dordogne- that meet at Gironde estuary.

Entre deux mers is known for producing white wines made from Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Muscadelle grapes. The soil here consists mainly of limestone and clay with some gravel patches. These soils impart a unique flavor profile to these wines making them stand out from other white wines produced in Bordeaux.

Right Bank Bordeaux

The region is located on the right bank of the Gironde river and includes famous appellations such as Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. One of the key features that sets right bank wines apart from other wine regions is its blend, which typically consists of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and sometimes Cabernet Sauvignon.

The region’s unique combination of limestone, red clay soils, and gravel provides a perfect environment for growing grapes with complex flavors. These distinct soils are known to give wines grown on them an unparalleled depth and character that cannot be found elsewhere. You often find bold plummy red wines in this area.

What Does Bordeaux Mean?

Bourg and Blaye

Bourg and Blaye are two neighboring sub-regions that share a similar terroir. The vineyards here are located on slopes overlooking the Gironde estuary, where they benefit from cooling sea breezes during hot summer months. The soils in this area are predominantly clay-limestone mixtures which give wines their unique minerality and depth. Wines from this region are generally elegant with fresh fruit flavors that range from red currant to blackberry.

Libournais

One of the most known subregions in Bordeaux is Libournais. Located on the right bank of the Garonne River, Libournais extends through an area of 1200 hectares and includes several appellations such as Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Fronsac or Lalande de Pomerol.

Saint-Émilion is one of the most iconic appellations in Libournais. This appellation produces some of the world’s best Merlot wines and has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The vineyards here have been cultivated since ancient times. Visitors can admire Romanesque churches built from limestone that are surrounded by vineyards.

The libournais bordeaux blend or right bank blend yield red wines with mineral and fruit notes. The wines translucent red color of these popular wines underlines the fruit flavors range.

Bordeaux White Wines  

White wine is a significant part of the Bordeaux region’s winemaking traditions. The Entre Deux Mers and Pessac Leognan are two of the most prominent regions known for producing excellent white wines. Entre Deux Mers comprises vineyards that lie between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. This area produces a crisp, refreshing wine with notes of citrus, peach, and melon.

Pessac Leognan is located in the southern part of Bordeaux. It offers an array of white wines that range from dry to sweet. These wines are known for their complex flavors that combine floral notes with hints of minerality and zippy acidity. One of the most famous white wines produced here is Chateau Haut-Brion Blanc. It is an exquisite blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes.

In the Sauternais region you can find the Sauternes sweet wines. They are famous wines to be consumed with your dessert or cheese.

Pairing foods

Bordeaux is known for its renowned wine culture, but it’s also a region that boasts an incredible culinary heritage. Food in Bordeaux is deeply rooted in tradition and history, with dishes that reflect the region’s proximity to the sea and rural farmland. If you’re planning a trip to Bordeaux, it’s essential to know what foods pair well with local wines.

One of the most classic combinations is red bordeaux wine steak frites. Bordeaux wine will taste sweet and fruity against this rich meaty backdrop and umamia flavors. When pairing a red bordeaux make sure to pick food with plenty of umami and enough fat to soften the wine’s grippy tannins.

The Sauternes sweet white wines pair well with cheese or dessert.

Final Thoughts 

Bordeaux is a region on the west coast of France. It is a very famous wine region covering among others Saint Emilion, Margaux where top quality producers of great wines can be found. Among these graet regional producers you have large companies and small artisan producers to make the perfect wine.

We hope that you`re able to identify great regional producers for your perfect red wine!

ChristinaDay
Hi, my name is Christina Day, and I am a self-proclaimed wine connoisseur. It is my favorite alcoholic drink, and I enjoy nothing better than kicking back on the sofa after a long week of work to enjoy a glass of wine… or two!

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