By Ray Spaziani
Wine Talk
Ray Spaziani
In the mid-first century the vine was introduced to the Bordeaux region of France by the Romans. They wished to provide wine for local consumption, and wine has been produced in this region ever since.
The Bordeaux growing area today has approximately 287,000 acres of vineyards, 57 appellations, 10,000 wine producing estates (called “chateaux”) and 13,000 grape growers. The area produces 960 million bottles of wine each year. Most of the wine produced is for everyday consumption, and this range goes up to some of the most expensive wines in the world.
The most expensive are the first-growth red wines. These are referred to as premier cru. Four of these wines come from Medoc and one comes from Graves. This was decided by the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855.
Bordeaux is located close to the Atlantic coast. This is in the southwest area of France and surrounds the river Garonne. It is divided into two parts. The right bank is to the east and the left bank is to the west. The west side is known for growing Cabernet, and the east side is known for growing Merlot and most of the white wines. However, both sides grow all the grapes used to make Bordeaux wines.
Red wines are made from a blend of grapes that include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. This is the classic Bordeaux blend.
In recent years some Carménère has been added as well. The percentages depend on which side of the river you get the grapes from. On the west side they put in a higher amount of Cabernet. On the east side they put in a larger amount of Merlot.
White Bordeaux wine is made from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle. Sauternes are made in Graves and are intensely sweet dessert wines, including Chateau d’Yquem, which was George Washington’s favorite wine.
Get a bottle of Bordeaux and warm up a cold winter night. You can start for around $10, and if you like it as much as I do, go up to $25-$35. These include wines with a little more Cabernet.