Hello Grapevine!

I will continue our thumbnail sketch of wine regions with one that will take several parts, France. First up is Bordeaux. This is the most famous wine region in the world. The reds of this vast wine region are the blueprint model for most of the world's ageable reds. The red grapes are primarily blends, in varying proportions, of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. There are also Whites produced, dry and sweet, using Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion. The area is split by the Gironde river into sections. Generally speaking; the reds are based on Cabernet Sauvignon on the Left Bank side and Merlot dominates on the Right Bank. The Left Bank is home to the regions of Margaux, Pauillac, St Julien, and Graves. The Right features Pommerol, St. Emilion, and Fronsac.

The red wines of Bordeaux are prized for their balance and ageability. If you have ever enjoyed a wine labeled Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Malbec it was modeled on the wines of Bordeaux. The wines from each of the aforementioned regions is subtly different and makes exploring the area lots of fun. The basic primary flavors of Bordeaux wines are cassis, plum, vanilla, coffee, and blackberry. Many often sense nuances of leather, cedar, lead pencil, mushroom, violets, and sandalwood. As it ages Bordeaux becomes less tannic and more subtly perfumed. There are many of these wines that are capable of maturing for 20 or more years and sometimes much longer.

The whites of Bordeaux are vastly under-appreciated in the U.S. Many people here enjoy a glass of Sauvignon Blanc but do not know that it is the base for dry white Bordeaux. These are often less expensive than their imitators from the States or New Zealand. The whites of Bordeaux also include the famous sweet wines of Barsac and Sauternes. Less appreciated in America than elsewhere these are very delicious wines and capable of maturing for decades. They are primarily Semillioin blended with Sauvignon Blanc. These wines are affected with Botrytis, or noble rot, which shrivels the grapes without ruining them. The result is very concentrated juice that makes the wine so sweet.

The wines of Bordeaux can be very expensive. Oddly they can also be tremendous values if you are willing to explore outside of the forty or fifty most famous Chateaux. Names like Chateaux Latour and Lafite Rothschild are very pricey because of their fame and centuries long track records of great wine. less known Chateaux can be less costly than many domestic wines and are really worth investigating. Locally Bordeaux is not terribly well stocked. There are examples for sale on German Street in Shepherdstown and perhaps a good bit more in Hagerstown if you are willing to drive a little out of the way. Let me know if you would like any chateaux or vintage suggestions.