Types of Wine: Bordeaux Wines
The mysterious and romantic attraction of Bordeaux wine has entertained wine drinkers for centuries. The French tradition of wine making is largely responsible for this wine from both the grape type proper and the regional wine vintages. Bordeaux wine is both the major wine making the Bordeaux appellation famous respected and in demand but instructing the palates of vintners everywhere the classic wine making practices of the Old World wine reference.
Bordeaux releases today are meant to be drunk right away and cellared. More precious vintage releases can be laid away for important occasions like births and marriages as an investment or entertainment purpose. Grapes grown in Bordeaux region are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. Ready to drink Bordeaux will have more aged and smooth tannic elements and lower alcohol in the finish. Bordeaux can be sour cherry and dry or sweet depending on vintage and vintner preference.
Names like Chateau Mouton, Lynch-Bages, Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, are familiar to even those who cannot afford the wine. Haut-Brion, St. Emilion, Graves, Pomerol, and Paulliac also might be names for an impressive Bordeaux wine. The Medoc is a famous territory region in France known for outstanding Bordeaux wines. The especial Bordeaux areas on the left bank of the Dordogne River are in the Medoc are Haut Medoc, St. Estephe, Paullac, St. Julien, Listrac, Moulis, and Margaux. Pomerol and St. Emilion occupy the right bank.
Bordeaux, like many French wines is split between quality differentiation levels or termed with a “Cru” denomination. The Premier, Grand and Table(Bourgeois) grade Cru Classe wine is dependent on aging and the vintage of grapes picked that year for that vineyard. Bordeaux is both a wine region and a specialty grape grown in France. The wine product from these lands is used often interchangeably, to the confusion of many wine enthusiasts. Red wine from Bordeaux will wear a “Cru” appellation marking its classification. Growths are the ranks differentiating Bordeaux price and desirability. Many first growth producers from Bordeaux have another lower “growth” stage label they issue wine from.
Older vintage Bordeaux can be considered a good long term investment. The fruity taste and decanted elegance of a fine Bordeaux wine can highlight an important meal or special evening. Aged Bordeaux can cost more but is well worth it for the polished softness and fruity and mint nuances in the flavor profile and spicy/botanical long mouth finish. Bordeaux wines can showcase the very best of careful viticulture and strategic aging. A Bordeaux of any distinction will have medium to full body and robust flavor from bouquet through the mid-palate to the finish.
Bordeaux wines boast some of the most famous names in winemaking. This is due to world trade popularizing the names of the leading Chateaux around the globe. Mature Bordeaux wines can be sold for tens of thousands of dollars. Older Bordeaux wines may be less available as time goes by and may be used to commemorate a special occasion. Bordeaux wines must be carefully cellared and protected from corkage, cracks in the glass, and oxidation due to heat.
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