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).
What grapes are used to make Bordeaux wine?
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.
What grapes are allowed in red Bordeaux?
As a refresher, currently, Bordeaux allows six red grape varieties — Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Carmenere, and Petit Verdot — and eight white varieties — Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Muscadelle, Colombard, Ugni Blanc, Merlot Blanc, and Mauzac.
What are the two major red wine varieties of Bordeaux?
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 red wine grape is the most planted in Bordeaux?
Merlot
Merlot? This is the most planted grape variety in Bordeaux. It is characteristically supple and round, adding plenty of color and the aroma of fleshy red fruits like plum, fig, and often roasted notes after a few years of aging.
What makes a good Bordeaux wine?
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.
Is there a Bordeaux 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 is the most famous classification in Bordeaux?
the Médoc
Different quality classifications apply in various districts of Bordeaux. The most famous is the 1855 classification of the wines of the Médoc. Also applying to the Médoc is the Cru Bourgeois classification, introduced in 1932.
Is Bordeaux a pinot noir?
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.
What grape is Rhone?
The indigenous grape varieties that grow in the region, like Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier and Roussanne, are often referred to as Rhône grapes. So, regardless of their place of origin, wines made from these grapes are said to be Rhône-style wines the world over.
What is the difference between Cabernet and Bordeaux?
Generally speaking, Bordeaux wines are balanced and nuanced, with less of a fruit-forward flavour to them. They also typically possess a stronger minerality. In contrast, California Cabernets are dense, rich, oaky and higher in alcohol content than Bordeaux wines.
What grape is Claret?
Claret is a British term used, unofficially, in reference to red Bordeaux wine. The red wines of Bordeaux are blends, mostly based on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The term “claret” is sometimes used—unofficially, of course—to refer to Bordeaux-style red wines produced elsewhere, such as the United States.
What is the difference between a Burgundy and Bordeaux wine?
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 grape is Beaujolais?
Gamay Noir grapes
Beaujolais is a light red wine made with Gamay Noir grapes.
Why is claret called Claret?
The term evolved with the English. It came to be known as an all-purpose term for red blends from Bordeaux. Centuries ago, most Bordeaux wines looked more like rosés and were sold as vin clar — clear wine — which evolved into “clairet” and “claret,” and the name stuck.
Which one of them is the key white grape variety of Bordeaux?
Sauvignon Blanc is grown in many regions of Bordeaux, where it’s a key part of the blend in the dry whites of Graves and the Médoc; it’s also an important grape in the sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac.
What is special about Bordeaux, France?
Excellent wines are produced all around France, but Bordeaux is considered the wine capital of the country. Going to Bordeaux is like a journey into the rich world of wine.
What American wine is like Bordeaux?
Unsurprisingly, most good Napa Valley producers flog their Cabernet Sauvignon. But a number also produce excellent Bordeaux-style red blends. A fabulous example here would be the Trinchero Napa Valley Forte.
What makes a good Bordeaux vintage?
Merlot normally ripens earlier than cabernet, so vintage results can differ. For example, 1964, 1975 and 1998 were great years for right bank merlot and less good for the Médoc; whereas Médoc won in 1996 and 2002. a truly good vintage occurs when all grapes ripen to perfection, even in less favourable districts.
How many grape varieties are permitted in Bordeaux?
Six
Palette of grape varieties
Six main varieties, three red and three white, are used for winemaking in Bordeaux.
What grape is red Burgundy?
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the most common grape varieties in Burgundy. In Burgundy, four main grape varieties are grown. The “red” grape varieties are Pinot Noir and Gamay. The “white” varieties are Chardonnay and Aligoté.