Bordeaux wines may seem complicated
Compared to New World wines as they are almost always a blend of multiple grapes and they rarely state these blends on the labels
However knowing the basic key varieties and Appellations within Bordeaux can really help you understand what is in each bottle
90% of Bordeaux's production is red, predominantly made from five key grapes
on the left bank Cabernet Sauvignon reign supreme
Whereas the right bank is dominated by Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon is a star
Vital of the left bank. It's the backbone of a wine and it helps
For long kept wine, for instance. These 12 is excellent now
But that does not mean when in 20 years it will not be
Still better because of the 65% of Cabernet
Merlot gives
instant charm
but for right bank
And for left,
You need the time and the maturity. I went to age as gracefully as my crops
We've got the Merlot. Yeah, we got the Cabernet Sauvignon. The merlot is more on the fruit
yeah, and Cabernet is more the tannins the strengths and
You know, that's what brings to the red wines little bit that depth that the Merlot is lacking a bit.
The other three red grapes, you may find a Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec
Cabernet Franc has a leafy character an earthiness whilst Petit Verdot gets further structure color and spice and
The least used variety Malbec provides a tannic backbone and further structure to the final wine
These grapes are used more as condiments just as we add salt and pepper to our food
Wine makers use them to lift wines where needed
Blending these different varieties is key as each grape brings different elements to the wine
Almost all red Bordeaux wines contain a blend of two three or even five of these varieties
It's no different for the white wines of Bordeaux
Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc make up the vast majority. Although you may also find Sauvignon Gris and Muscadelle in smaller quantities
In the whites, we've got Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and we've got a little bit of Sauvignon Gris
Is that rare? It's rare here it's only small it's only a small acre of Sauvignon Gris
but it adds something really floral really interesting to the whites something that the Sauvignon Blanc is, maybe sometimes missing a bit Sauvignon Blanc is
Floral, mineral
Acidity brings the acidity into the wine. Semillon is rounder richer again
It's nice complement, you know between both between the Sauvignon Blanc and the Semillon.
The Sauvignon Gris to me is bringing even more this
floral
Roundness to it. Vinification of the Sauvignon Gris blends it with the Semillon the Sauvignon Blanc at little in all
Percentage brings us some single extra
Bordeaux's grape varieties are the pillars of this region's world-class red and white wines
But these varieties are also grown all over the world. Many producers, especially from new world countries replicate the Bordeaux blend
However, Bordeaux's unique terroir can never be replicated
Now is that you have also wine's in different parts of the world
In Argentina, in Chile- New World wines, we have been doing wines for many centuries
We also try to every year use new technology to improve our wine
now we believe that our terroir is unique in the world and
That's why Bordeaux today and tomorrow will be
part of the best wines in the world
And terroir, you can't move it away
In Bordeaux, it has been here for many many centuries and will stay here
So Bordeaux is here to stay, Cheers!