Wine Tasting Group

A Trip through the Bordeaux

Bordeaux is both a wonderful city in southwest France as well as one of the most magnificent wine regions in the world. Although Bordeaux wines have the image of being expensive, a large majority of wines from this region are affordable. Two rivers, the Dordogne and Garonne, join just north of the city, forming the largest wine region in France, known as the Gironde. The red varietals include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Carménère. The main white grapes from the region include Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle. Now common in many parts of the world, Bordeaux has applied the art of blending varietals for decades. There are 60 appellations across the region, sub-divided into four red based regions and two white based regions.

The area within the region determines the grapes grown and the resulting wine produced. The “Right Bank”, which is on the north side of the Dordogne River produces wines dominated by Merlot. SaintÉmilion or Pomerol, major sub-regions of the “Right Bank”, surround the city of Libourne. The typical wine from this side of the river will be a blend of several red varietals, dominated by Merlot. These blends have smooth tannins and ample fruit notes.

The “Left Bank”, situated on the left bank of the Garonne, near the city of Bordeaux, is further divided into Graves and Medoc. The “Left Bank” wines are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon but are often blended with ample amounts of Merlot. These blends will have grippier tannins and green peppercorn notes.

A third sub-region of the Bordeaux is known as Entre-Deux-Mers or between two seas, which refers to the rivers. Dry white wines are a feature of this region, generally made from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle. This zesty white Bordeaux blend has notes of lime and chamomile. Yet another white wine from this region is the Sauterne, a sweet white wine made from the same varietals.

It is hard to avoid the tremendous amount of wine history in the Bordeaux region. The current chateaux of Bordeaux classifications dates back to 1855. A trip to the “Bordeaux La Cite du Vin Wine Culture Museum”, with its 20 wine themed areas, will get you off to an excellent start. In the meantime, take advantage of the wide selection of Bordeaux wines at any local wine store or warehouse club.

Submitted by Jesse D. Young, Corte Bella Resident, Founder, CB Wine Tasting Group