Best Bordeaux Wines on Wine-Searcher:
| Wine Name | Ave Price |
| Château d'Yquem, Sauternes | $457 |
| Petrus, Pomerol | $3317 |
| Château Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan | $617 |
| Château Latour, Pauillac | $835 |
What does Bordeaux have to do with wine?
Bordeaux wine is classified as a unique blend of at least two of the three grape varieties that are commonly grown in the Bordeaux region: While the grapes are traditionally vinified together in Bordeaux and include cabernet, merlot, and petit verdot, the term can refer to this combination used around the world.
What is the difference between right bank and left bank Bordeaux wine?
Because of those differences in terroir, Left and Right Bank Bordeaux tend to showcase two different grapes: Left Bank wines are mostly Cabernet Sauvignon fleshed out with Merlot; Right Bank wines are more Merlot balanced by a smaller proportion of Cabernet.
Is Bordeaux red or white wine?
The vast majority of wine produced in Bordeaux is red (sometimes called "claret" in Britain), with sweet white wines (most notably Sauternes), dry whites, and (in much smaller quantities) rosé and sparkling wines (Crémant de Bordeaux) collectively making up the remainder. Bordeaux wine is made by more than 8,500 producers or châteaux.
What grapes are used in Bordeaux wines?
- Cabernet Sauvignon is the powerhouse grape of Bordeaux.
- Merlot is the supple, elegant grape in the mix.
- Cabernet Franc comes to the mix bringing additional smoothness.
- Think of Malbec as adding the artist's touch to a bottle of Bordeaux; it's used for its dark, rich color.
What is Bordeaux wine known for?
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 is Bordeaux most famous wine?
The World's Best Bordeaux WinesWine NameScoreAve PriceChâteau Margaux, Margaux96$715Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac96$650Château Cheval Blanc, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru96$693Château Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac95$9256 more rows•Nov 6, 2019
Is Bordeaux famous for red or white wine?
redOver 90% of Bordeaux wines are red wines made with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. This article will introduce you to Bordeaux wine including tasting notes, food pairing suggestions, and key details to know. The first Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines originated in Bordeaux.
What are the five Bordeaux wines?
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. Descriptions of each wine are shown below.
Is Merlot a Bordeaux wine?
Merlot: the most widespread red grape variety of Bordeaux.
Is Cabernet Sauvignon a Bordeaux?
A Bordeaux can be a Cabernet Sauvignon but a Cabernet is often not a Bordeaux. Welcome to the complex world of wine names. One of the most common mistakes wine consumers make when order or purchasing wine is not understanding the difference between these two types of popular wines.
Is Pinot Noir a Bordeaux?
Bordeaux whites are usually blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Meanwhile, Burgundy's red wines are made from Pinot Noir (the Beaujolais region is technically considered part of Burgundy as well, and the red wines there are made from Gamay), while white Burgundies are made from the Chardonnay grape.
Is Malbec a Bordeaux?
Malbec (pronounced [mal. bɛk]) is a purple grape variety used in making red wine. The grapes tend to have an inky dark color and robust tannins, and are known as one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wine....MalbecVIVC number28897 more rows
Is Bordeaux a fancy wine?
When we hear “Bordeaux” the image of something very luxurious and expensive comes to our mind. Of course, this is only a myth. There are about 10,000 wine producers all around the city of Bordeaux and not all of them produce luxurious and expensive wine. The vast majority of Bordeaux wines are affordable.
Is Bordeaux a type of grape?
Is Bordeaux a Grape? Since Bordeaux is a regional wine, there is no Bordeaux grape. The overwhelming majority of Bordeaux wine is red wine, but whites do exist. Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are the most important grapes used for the region's dry white wine, as well as for the area's sweet white wine.
What does Bordeaux 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.
What are the 5 First Growth Bordeaux wines?
Bordeaux: The five first growths Known as the first growths, or the premier cru classés, they are Haut-Brion, Lafite Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild, Latour and Margaux.
Is Bordeaux the best 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 is the name of Bordeaux wine?
The five main red grape varieties in the Bordeaux region are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec, with Cabernet the dominant grape on the west side of the Gironde, Merlot to the east.
What is a great Bordeaux?
As one of the world's premier wine regions, Bordeaux's main focus is Cabernet Sauvignon- and Merlot-driven blends. While Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot make regular appearances, the region is also known for producing small amounts of white Bordeaux, as well as the lusciously sweet wine known as Sauternes.
Is Burgundy wine the same as Bordeaux?
Bordeaux wine comes from the eastern part of Bordeaux. Burgundy wine is from the southwest regions of Burgundy. Bordeaux grapes thrive in warm temperatures, whereas Burgundy grapes do well in cooler climates. Bordeaux wine has layered dark fruit and dry notes.
What is Bordeaux wine made of?
Over 90% of Bordeaux wines are red wines made with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. This article will introduce you to Bordeaux wine including tasting notes, food pairing suggestions, and key details to know. The first Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines originated in Bordeaux.
What are some good pairings with red Bordeaux?
Steak frites (steak and duck fat fries) might just be the perfect complement to red Bordeaux. The boldness of Bordeaux compliments the umami in the meat and the wine’s grippy tannins are smoothed out by the dish’s fat content. In fact, Bordeaux wine will taste sweet and fruity against this rich meaty backdrop. The steak frites example shows us that when pairing foods with Bordeaux, you’ll want to seek out foods with a.) plenty of umami and b.) enough fat to counteract tannin. Beyond this, you can get creative with your pairings. Here are some examples:
What is the wine region between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers?
Entre-Deux-Mers “Between 2 Tides”. The area between the 2 major rivers of Bordeaux (the Garonne and Dordogne rivers) is called Entre-Deux-Mers. This area produces both red (predominantly Merlot) and white wines but is perhaps more well-known for its white wines (a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and the rare Muscadelle).
What region is known for its sweet white wine?
The Bordeaux region was first loved for its sweet white wines from the sub-region of Sauternes. The wine had prestigious clientele including Thomas Jefferson during an era when sweet white wines were more popular than dry red wines.
What is Bordeaux blend?
The Bordeaux blend is the benchmark for so many winemakers and even entire regions; what would Napa be if it didn't have Bordeaux to base itself on, for example? Bordeaux is the well-to-do, besuited vigneron, welcoming the great and good to a palatial château, set in garden-like grounds.
Does non-classed growth Bordeaux exist?
And to them, non classed-growth Bordeaux doesn't exist. They live only in a world of cru classés, where châteaux vie to entertain them with luxurious tastings in sumptuous surroundings. Not for them the simpler, less-heralded wines of the basic Bordeaux appellation; those wines are for the plebs.
Is Bordeaux a Nirvana?
Expert opinions would have us believe that Bordeaux is a kind of vinous Nirvana, where great wines grow as of right and anything that doesn't have the sage heads of the inner circle of wine's gatekeepers nodding in purring approval simply doesn't exist. And to them, non classed-growth Bordeaux doesn't exist.
Is Bordeaux the most expensive wine?
Bordeaux's best wines might not be the highest-scoring, the rarest, or even the most-expensive wines, but they will always be the benchmark for everyone else.
What is Bordeaux wine?
This wine is so renowned its snuck into the zeitgeist as a symbol of opulence and refinement. But what is Bordeaux wine, and why is it so good?
Why is Bordeaux wine so successful?
Being positioned between these two rivers is one of the reasons wine production is so successful in Bordeaux. Not only do the rivers offer excellent irrigation for the grapes, but the soil in which the grapes grow is full of minerals and nutrients. Also, because the soil is composed of sand and gravel, the vineyards have excellent drainage.
What is red Bordeaux made of?
For instance, Left Bank Bordeaux produces wines which are predominately made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. This means the wines have a heavier body, are highly tannic, and have medium levels of acidity.
What are the two Bordeaux wine regions?
These two areas are known as the Bordeaux Right Bank and the Bordeaux Left Bank.
Why is Bordeaux considered a world class wine region?
Bordeaux is considered a world class wine region because the climate is absolutely perfect for producing wine. This world famous wine region follows alongside the Garonne River and the Dordogne River, and many of the wine estates can be found where the two rivers meet. Some of the wineries follow the river all the way up to the ocean.
What are the notes of Bordeaux white wine?
On the other side of the coin, Bordeaux’s sweet white wines have notes of apricot, caramel, honey, and honeysuckle.
Where is Bordeaux wine made?
Simply put, Bordeaux wine is wine produced in Bordeaux, France. Bordeaux red wines are a blend of classically French grape varieties, which include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. Carménère was once added to the mix, but it's rarely used these days.
When did the Bordeaux wine classification start?
It all started in 1855, for the Paris Universal Exhibition. The merchants of Bordeaux were asked to send in their top wine and the classification was pretty much done on the back of an envelope, based on the prices commanded by the wines.
Why is Bordeaux grape preferred?
It is preferred by the grape growers because it’s easier to grow and ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact, it is the most widely-grown grape varietal around the world. In Bordeaux it has aromas of plums, raspberries, fruit cake, spices and smokiness from oak and cigar box, chocolate and leather with age.
What are the aromas of Cabernet Sauvignon?
Classic aromas include: blackcurrant, cassis, sometimes green bell pepper, cedar, smokiness, spices from oak and tobacco, leather, and meatiness with ageing. A good quality Cabernet Sauvignon blend has a great potential to age. It is not uncommon for a 30-50 years old wine to be as fresh and vibrant as a teenager.
What are the aromas of Bordeaux?
Classic aromas in Bordeaux are: elderflower, gooseberry, grapefruit and peach. As Bordeaux Blanc decreased in popularity, the wine growers pulled up a lot of white grape vines and replanted with the classic Bordeaux red grapes. The good thing is that what is left of the white grape vineyards are very good quality.
How many grapes are in Bordeaux wine?
The majority of Bordeaux wine is a blend of several grapes with a few notable exceptions. Bordeaux has five main grape varietals (three red and two whites) that you need to know about. Others exist, but they are of little importance compared to the top five. Here they are:
What is the main flavor of Bodeaux?
Blackcurrant, the main flavour in Bodeaux Cabernet Sauvignon. Considered king of the grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon is the second most planted grape varietal in Bordeaux. Here, it is never used as a single varietal in wine and is always blended.
What is Grand Vin?
The grand vin is the flagship wine of the château. Manual harvesting and sorting of the grapes, use of expensive new oak barrels, and extended ageing and care are the norm. Rich and concentrated, these wines take longer to reach drinking maturity, and command legendary prices.
Who said Petrus was his favorite wine?
In the 1960s, when President John Kennedy said that Petrus was his favorite wine, the label became a status symbol in the US. Later in the 1980s, Robert Parker, one of the most influential wine critic gave his 100 points to Petrus and the wines produced in Pomerol, prices of all wines from the region increased.
What grapes does Chateau Le Pin use?
Even though, as opposed to Liber Pater, Petrus and Chateau Le Pin use traditional grape varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and common winemaking techniques, prices for their better vintages are expressed in thousands of dollars.
How many acres does Petrus winery have?
Petrus produces only 30,000 bottles of wine per year on only 11.5 hectares (28.4 acres). Chateau Le Pin is tiny with only a 2.7-hectare vineyard. Other wineries mostly in the Medoc area on the left bank, have been famous from at least the 18th century. American Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson appreciated Bordeaux wine.
How many wineries are there in the Medoc?
The 60 wineries classified in the middle of the 19th century are the most regarded in the Medoc area and the most expensive to this date. Besides the wine’s undeniable quality, It is the long-standing reputation, centuries of winemaking experience, and exclusivity that attract wine lovers.
How long does wine age in barrels?
Top wineries may decide to only use barrels only once. A new barrel costing around $1,000 will hold wine for 12-18 months and will lose almost all of its value after the ageing process is complete.
Do Bordeaux winemakers use all the grapes?
Contrary to some high-volume producing areas, the Bordeaux winemakers do not use all of the grapes that they can produce. In fact, the vines producing the best grapes are the oldest. For example, Chateau Mouton Rothschild has a plot that was planted over 100 years ago.
Is hail a danger in Bordeaux?
In 2017, the April 27 frost killed 90% of harvest at many Bordeaux wineries. Hail is a danger too in this climate. Chateau Gruaud Larose is one of the few in around Bordeaux to have invested in a hail cannon.
Top Bordeaux Wineries To Visit
Where to start? We recommend you take a few moments to think about the kind of experience you want to get out of your visit to Bordeaux.
Famous Château To Visit in Bordeaux
Chateau Haut-Brion is not only one of the most famous and oldest wineries in Bordeaux, it’s also conveniently located near the city of Bordeaux. That being said, it makes for an ideal stop if you’re staying in the city.
Beautiful Grounds and Scenery
When it comes to the scenery in Bordeaux, you’re pretty much going to find it everywhere. That being said, this is a tough list to narrow down, so we’ve included Bordeaux wineries that have exceeded our personal expectations both in terms of views and the service provided.
The Best Private Bordeaux Wine Tour
As we mentioned earlier in this guide, some travelers may prefer to visit the Bordeaux wine region in a guided fashion. If that’s what you’re looking to do, we highly recommend scheduling a full-day private trip with Atlas Bordeaux.
Unique Experiences, Tastings and Museums
Depending on the season, Bordeaux offers a number of special experiences travelers can partake in. These range from harvest festivals, grape stomping, cave tours and beyond. Below, we’ll list a few of our favorites and when they typically take place, and how you can take part.