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 defines a Bordeaux wine?

Bordeaux (“Bore-doe”) refers to a wine from Bordeaux, France. Over 90% of Bordeaux wines are red wines made with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. … The first Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines originated in Bordeaux.

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.

Is Bordeaux wine dry or sweet?

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.

Is Bordeaux a full-bodied wine?

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 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.

What do Bordeaux wines 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.

Is Bordeaux wine a blend?

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.

What does Bordeaux style mean?

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.

What is a good Bordeaux?

• Château Pédesclaux, Pauillac (2014) …
• Château Chasse-Spleen, Moulis-en-Médoc (2015) …
• Château Biac, Côtes de Bordeaux Cadillac (2010, 2014) …
• Château Gloria, Saint-Julien (2012) …
• Château Montrose La Dame de Montrose, Saint-Estephe (2011)

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What goes well with Bordeaux wine?

White Bordeaux wine, due to its freshness and flavor profile pairs with almost any white food: shell fish, fish of all types, oysters, clams, mussels, sushi, veal, chicken, pork etc.

What color is Bordeaux wine?

Bordeaux can be white, red, or even rosé! No wonder you may be confused. Bordeaux wines are generally blends, but not always. There are many grapes permitted in Bordeaux, but the most common for red wines is Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

What is a Bordeaux similar to?

Bordeaux’s red wines are largely based on the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes, along with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Bordeaux whites are usually blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.

Why are Bordeaux wines blends?

Red Bordeaux Blends are known for their powerful structure and deep flavors. Dark fruits and berries such as plum and blackcurrant are commonly used to describe the flavors of red Bordeaux, although there is an unlimited range of terms that have been ascribed to them.

What's similar to Bordeaux?

The Cabernet-led Petra Toscana Rosso, the Bindi Sergardi Simbiosi Rosso Toscana, and the Tenute Rossetti Linda Bolgheri DOC are all more affordable alternative Bordeaux blends to consider. The Bindi Sergardi Simbiosi Rosso Toscana, and the Tenute Rossetti Linda Bolgheri DOC.

What is the difference between Meritage and Bordeaux?

Meritage is a name for red and white Bordeaux-style wines without infringing on the Bordeaux (France) region’s legally protected designation of origin. Winemakers must license the Meritage trademark from its owner, the California-based Meritage Alliance.

What is a Bordeaux glass?

A typical Bordeaux glass is a tall glass with a long stem (though stemless versions are also available). The bowl is wide and features a slightly tapered rim. Because of the way the glass is shaped, wine is directed to the back of the mouth with each sip. … The generous bowl size also allows the aroma to fully develop.

What is the difference between Merlot and Bordeaux?

As nouns the difference between bordeaux and merlot is that bordeaux is claret (color) while merlot is a black variety of grape, originally from the bordeaux region of france.

How do you drink Bordeaux wine?

Serving Glass for Red Bordeaux Wines Known for complex bouquets with many aromas, red Bordeaux, however, is best served in a glass with a large open bowl at bottom that tapers slightly at the top. This maximizes the presentation of aromas to the nose.

What wines are from Bordeaux?

The designated red grape varieties in Bordeaux are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenere. In general, the left bank is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wines and the right bank for its Merlot.

What is a good affordable Bordeaux?

• Château Côtes de Blaignan 2016 Cru Bourgeois (Médoc); $15, 91 points. …
• Château Fonréaud 2017 Cru Bourgeois (Listrac-Médoc); $29, 91 points. …
• Château du Retout 2017 Cru Bourgeois (Haut-Médoc); $25, 91 points. …
• Château Petit Bocq 2017 Cru Bourgeois (Saint-Estèphe); $27, 92 points.

What does white Bordeaux taste like?

White Bordeaux comes in two styles: dry and oak-aged wines or sweet wines that are perfect for dessert. Bordeaux’s dry white wines have common tasting notes of grapefruit, citrus, and gooseberry. They’re also highly acidic and age very well if you enjoy aging a bottle of wine for a special occasion.

What kind of cheese goes with Bordeaux?

In Bordeaux, it is customary to serve an assortment of three cheeses for the cheese course. ​For example, a mild cheese (brie or camembert), a hard cheese (farmhouse or cheddar), and a blue cheese (perhaps a Roquefort, or a festive, pyramid-shaped Valençay).

What do you eat with red Bordeaux wine?

Good general accompaniments for red bordeaux are rich potato purées (mash) and gratin dauphinoise, mushrooms and truffles and green beans with garlic.

Is Bordeaux a color?

Bordeaux is a dark, shaded, Merlot red with an oaky undertone. It is a perfect paint color to make a statement in a dining room or on a front door.

Is Bordeaux purple or red?

Known as Burgundy, maroon, or simply claret, Bordeaux Color – one of the profound and solemn shades of red, has become one of the favorites this season. Officially, the tone got its name in 1891 in honor of the dark red French wine from Bordeaux.

Is Bordeaux like shiraz?

The quick answer is neither. Shiraz is the name of a grape (also known as Syrah), and you’ll see that name on some bottles of wine made from that grape. … Like the Rhône Valley, Burgundy and Bordeaux are both wine regions in France, but Shiraz/Syrah grapes are not grown in either of those two regions.

Is a Bordeaux like a cabernet?

A Bordeaux can be a Cabernet Sauvignon but a Cabernet is often not a Bordeaux. … 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.

What's the difference between a Burgundy and a Bordeaux?

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.

What are the 5 varietals of Bordeaux?

The six Bordeaux Varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and occasionally Carménère. Bordeaux blends are made up of differing combinations of these grapes, all of which bring unique characteristics to their wines.

What is a typical Bordeaux blend?

A red Bordeaux blend is primarily composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, with smaller portions of Malbec and Petit Verdot (and very occasionally, Carménère).