Bordeaux, the region and its wines
The region of Bordeaux it is the area that more than any other has made French wines famous in the world. This success has been achieved thanks to centuries of tradition and the pursuit of quality. The fame of the Bordeaux it is mainly due to Red wines, 80% of production, with their imposing structure e power, but also for wines moldy or botrytized. The famous and expensive wines of Bordeaux actually make up a small percentage of the total production, while most of the wines produced in the region (700 million bottles year) are simply good wines and often very affordable prices.
Climate and territory of the Bordeaux region
Bordeaux it is located on the west coast of France, on the Atlantic Ocean. The estuary of the Gironde and from the two rivers that flow into it, the Dordogne and Garonne, make the environmental and climatic characteristics unique of their kind. The climate it is temperate also thanks to the currents that develop between the Gironde and the two rivers that flow in the region and this is added to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, to ensure a stable climate, thanks also to the presence of forests that isolate the region from the cold winter . The gravelly soils of Bordeaux they also ensure excellent water drainage. Thanks to this characteristic, one of the largest wine-growing areas in Bordeaux has been named Graves. The great commercial success of Bordeaux it is also linked to the ports located along the Gironde, which allowed easy docking for merchant ships, which sailed back to England.
The vines of the Bordolese region
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc e Merlot are the three main grapes with which the red wines of Bordeaux . This composition known as "Bordeaux Cut" is now present in many wines produced all over the world. To these vines they also stand side by side Malbec e Petit Verdot, now not very widespread.
I White wines di Bordeaux are less famous than reds, with the exception of moldy: Sauternes e Barsac are the two areas interested in the production of botrytized wines, or called in the French way, of Vins Liquoreux. The main grape variety of these wines is the Sémillon, alongside the Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle andUgni Blanc, introduced in the region from Italy probably in the fourteenth century, known by us as Trebbiano Toscano.
The Classification of Bordeaux Wines
Bordeaux means Castles, Vintage e terroirs, now well-known terms to represent the region's quality system and its worldwide fame. In fact, however, there is no homogeneous system for the whole region and for example the area of Pomerol it does not provide for specific classification systems.
- Il first classification system adopted a Bordeaux dates back to 1855 and refers exclusively to wines from Medoc . The system is based on Classified Crus, divided into categories from the first to the fifth. We will therefore have i Premiers Crus, the first most important category of the system, to then continue with Duexième Cru, Troisième Cru, Quartième Cru and Cinquième Cru. This classification currently includes 60 châteaux of the Médoc and one of the Grave.
- The wines of Sauternes e Barsac they were instead divided into Premier Cru Supérieur Classé, Premier Cru Classé e Second Classified Growth.
- The classification system for the wines of Serious instead dates back to 1953, it does not provide a true classification, but only a mention, Classified vintage, attributed to wines considered of quality and prestige top.
- The area of St-Emilion, classified in 1954, is the only one to foresee a revision every 10 years. The highest category in St-Emilion is the Premier Grand Cru Classé, further divided into two groups, "A" and "B", of which group "A" groups the wines of superior quality. Performed by Grand Cru Classé and, finally, Grand Cru.
The other wine areas of Bordeaux, such as Canon-Fronsac, Entre-Duex-Mers, Fronsac e Pomerol , are not regulated by any specific classification system.
These classifications include only the finest and most famous wines of Bordeaux , while there are hundreds of other châteaux which represent the bulk of the region's production. They are grouped under the mention of Old middle class, which generally have much lower prices than Cru Classé and whose quality often reaches some Cinquième Cru or Quartième Cru.
The Bordeaux area
Il Médoc
Il Medoc is the most famous area of Bordeaux and is located north along the Gironde estuary. The notoriety of some of his AOC they made the whole area great. The AOC Medoc Properly called, it is the northern area of the region, while the southernmost part is called AOC Haut Medoc, and includes the most interesting and famous areas, such as the famous municipalities of St-Estèphe, Pauillac, St-Julien e Margaux (all distinct AOC). Almost exclusively red wines are produced with Cabernet Sauvignon, that gives structure ai vini e Merlot, which leads fineness e roundness. The Cabernet Franc adds complexity aromatic wine, the Petit Verdot and Malbec they are less important and widespread.
I vinidi St-Estèphe have higher percentage of Merlot in the composition. In this area, i Old middle class most interesting in the region. Further south is the AOC Pauillac, where they are located three of the five châteaux classified as Premier Cru classé (Château Latour, Château Mouton-Rothschild e Chateau Lafitte-Rothschild).
Further south is theAOC St-Julien, where the greatest concentration of Crus Classés and many excellent Crus Bourgeois are found. Further south, near the Gironde coast, we find theAOC Margaux, with its wines famous for their elegance and refinement.
The Graves
South of Medoc the Graves, with a production equally divided between white wines and red wines. This area is known for its favorable composition of the soil that bears its name, formed by alluvial deposits that bring pebbles and stones to the surface and make the environment in which the grapes mature warmer. Also worthy of mention in this area is the AOC's Pessac-Léognan. In the Graves is also famous the production of White wine based on grapes Sémillon, which give it richness, structure and the ability to maturity, Sauvignon White, which brings freshness and aromatic elegance to the wines.
Sauternes and Barsac
Following the course of the Garonne river south of the Graves we find the two most famous municipalities (and AOC areas) of Bordeaux for the production of sweet and botrytised wines: Sauternes e Barsac. These wines are produced with grapes affected by the noble rot or Pourriture Noble, the famous Botrytis Cinerea, and they are famous and famous all over the world. The sweet wines produced in these areas are very elegant and boast an incredible equilibrium and aromatic and gustatory complexity. They are also surprising for their longevity, which can even reach 30 years, with a notable increase in complexity and richness of aromas and flavors. With the same grapes are also produced dry white wines and a minimum quantity of red wines.
Saint-Emilion
Saint-Emilion it is located in the east in the Bordeaux region and is considered one of the most important areas of the region. In a Plot mainly hilly, grapes are grown there Merlot e Cabernet Franc, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and from Malbec. The wines are therefore exclusively reds, different from those produced in the Médoc both for the different composition of the soil and for the greater use of Merlot grapes, which makes the wines of St-Emilion much rounder and softer than those of the Médoc. Their class and elegance have made them famous and sought after by many wine lovers.
Pomerol
West of St-Emilion lies the small area of Pomerol . Despite its size, it is considered one of the most famous and most important wine areas of Bordeaux. Also the production of Pomerol consists exclusively of red wines from grapes Merlot e Cabernet Franc. Only rarely in the wines of this area is used the Cabernet Sauvignon. Contrary to the other important wine-growing areas of Bordeaux, Pomerol it does not provide for any wine classification system. The wines of the AOC Pomerol they are very elegant and soft, with an excellent structure and aromas that have allowed these wines to obtain a wide consensus and fame all over the world.
Other areas
The region of Bordeaux is made up of dozens of denominations "Minors", some of which deserve to be mentioned. The wines produced there are generally more "simple" than those of the more noble denominations, although there are important exceptions. East of the city of Bordeaux the AOC Entre-Duex-Mers where they are mostly produced dry white wines da Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc e Muscadelle. Further south are the AOCs of Cerons, Loupiac e Ste-Croix-du-Mont in which sweet white wines are produced with the same vines. North of Bordeaux are the AOCs Côtes de Bourg e Côtes de Blaye, hilly areas of red wines, less demanding than those of Médoc, mainly from grapes Merlot. West of Pomerol are the two AOCs Fronsac e Canon-Fronsac notes for red wines from Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a small part of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Bordeaux cuisine
The region of Bordeaux falls within the larger area ofAquitaine, influenced in its dishes by the proximity to the sea and the hills and forests of the hinterland. The goose and duck liver game and red meats , accompanied by the inevitable Bordeaux sauce, lend themselves topairing with wines raisins di Sauternes and with the great reds of Médoc. From the ocean come tuna, sardines, sole and mussels, protagonists of the Breton cuisine, to be accompanied by Sauvignon di Pessac-Léognan. The oysters, the famous Belon di Cancale, can be paired with a Sémillon from AOC Entre-Duex-Mers. The assortment of cheese and desserts, including the Basque cherry gâteau it is very respectable, to be paired with grape wines Sémillon botitrized.
