Whenever we hear the term “wine capital,” a port city named Bordeaux comes to mind. Bordeaux, also known as the world wine capital, is located in France’s leading delicate wine area on river Garonne, also famous because of the Two Seas Canal. It is a vineyard of 120,000 hectares.
Bordeaux, always known for being vibrant and dynamic, attract thousands of tourists from all over the globe. It is also a cosmopolitan city that never steps back to reveal the compelling character it possesses. Ten years ago, Bordeaux’s inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site was also known for its bold modernism. It is a crucial destination for those loving the French culture, those who want to adopt the lifestyle they own, and most importantly, wine.
Climate and Conditions
The excellent environment for the growing vine is the main reason for its great success in the Bordeaux region. Limestone, the geological foundation, is leading to a soil structure that is heavy in calcium. The oceanic and Atlantic climate provided by the Gironde estuary dominates the regions and its tributaries, the Garonne and the Dordogne Rivers. These rivers together irrigate the land for the region, which is also a significant factor that makes it prominent in the eyes of visitors. Dordogne and Garonne Rivers, which flow into the Gironde, Bordeaux, lies at the center of the confluence of these rivers.
The concept of terroir in Bordeaux plays a pivotal role in wine production; the top estates there aim to make terroir-driven wines, which allows them to reflect the idea from where they originally are. Mostly from grapes collected from a single vineyard. The soil of this cultural city is composed of gravel, sandy stone, and clay. The best vineyards are located at well-drained soils consisting of rock which are found near the Gironde River. The best estates in Bordeaux can “see the river” from their vineyards.
Vinification
The grapes are usually sorted following the harvest. In their culture, crushing the grapes were traditionally done by foot, but now it is universally done by mechanical means. The permission Chaptalization is granted, with the next step of Fermentation, which usually takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The traditional Bordeaux barrique is a 225-liter oak barrel.
The wine is blended at some point in between bottling and pressing. Depending on the vintage conditions, wine from different grape varieties is mixed together to produce a wine in the preferred style called château. The wine is also mixed with other grape varieties. In addition, the process of aging is also done separately from different parts of the vineyard. According to the winemaker, the wine is either blended into the main or the second wine or sold wholesale. The wine is then bottled and usually undergoes an additional aging period just before it is released for sale.
Wine Regions
The Bordeaux wine region is also divided into sub-regions, including the famous Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Médoc, and Graves. Based on sub-regions and sweetness, the 60 Bordeaux appellations and the wine styles they represent are mainly categorized into six families, four red-based and two white-based.
- Red Bordeaux and Red Bordeaux Supérieur
Bordeaux winemakers use the two regional appellations throughout the entire wine region. And, approximately half of the Bordeaux vineyard is mainly designated under Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur AOCs. The majority of châteaux is located on the Right Bank in the area of Entre-Deux-Mers; the wines there are Merlot-dominant. They are mostly blended with the other classic varieties of Bordeaux. There are many small châteaux to run a family. The commercial brand names are used to seal and blend the wines. The Bordeaux AOC wines are primarily fruity, with a slight influence of oak in them. They are produced in a style that is meant to be drunk young. Bordeaux Supérieur AOC governs to follow stricter controls. However, they are made in the same area, such as lower yields, and specially aged in oak.
The winemakers observe a strong ongoing investment in the vineyards and the cellar for the past ten years. This resulted in ever-increasing quality. In 2008, the Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur Winemakers’ Association instituted new reforms for the regional appellation. In 2010, 55% of Bordeaux wines sold in the world were from Bordeaux. 67% were sold in France, and 33% were exported with (+9%), which means that 14 bottles were consumed per second.
- Red Côtes de Bordeaux
In the hilly outskirts of the region, there are eight appellations of wines where the blend usually is dominated by Merlot. In both style and quality, these wines tend to lie between basic red Bordeaux and the famous appellations of the left and right bank. However, none of Bordeaux’s stellar names are situated in Côtes de Bordeaux; prices are reasonable. In 2007, 14.7% of the region’s vineyard surface was used for wines in this family.
- Red Libourne, or “Right Bank” wines
Total ten appellations produce wines dominated by Merlot around the city of Libourne. They contain very little Cabernet Sauvignon and the two most famous Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. These are long-lived and also are softer tannins; they also have great fruit concentration. In 2007, 10.5% of the region’s vineyard surface was used for wines in this family.
- Red Graves and Médoc or “Left Bank” wines
The classic areas of the city of Bordeaux are considered to be north and south; they produce wines dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, with a significant portion of Merlot. The wines mentioned are concentrated, tannic, and long-lived, and most of them are cellared before drinking. The five First Growths are situated here. Médoc and Graves have their official classification. In 2007, approximately 17.1% of the region’s vineyard surface was used for wines in this family.
- Dry white wines
Dry white wines are made throughout the region of Bordeaux, with regional appellation Bordeaux Blanc, from the figure of almost 100% Sauvignon Blanc or a blend dominated by Sauvignon blend. The Bordeaux Blanc AOC is used for wines made in appellations that only allow red wines. Dry whites from Graves are the only and the famous sub-region with a classification for dry white wines. The better versions do have a significant oak influence. In 2007, approximately 7.8% of the region’s vineyard surface was used for wines in this family.
- Sweet white wines
In several locations and appellations throughout the region of Bordeaux, sweet white wine is made from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes. Sauternes has an official classification, which is also best-known of these appellations, and here most famous sweet wines are produced. Appellations are neighboring Sauternes, where similar wines are made on both sides of the Garonne River. These include Loupiac, Cadillac, and Sainte Croix du Mont. The regional appellation for sweet white wines is Bordeaux Supérieur Blanc. In 2007 3.2% of the region’s vineyard surface was used for wines in this family.
Bordeaux has one of the world’s top wine destinations. Explore “Cité du Vin,” the most extensive and first-ever museum of wines in the world, which offers a worth visiting experience even if you are not a wine lover.
Step into Bordeaux’s fascinating wine world and learn about the different types of grapes, the fermentation process, and the history of wine in other areas across the globe. On your journey, discover important wine regions, including Place des Quinconces, Quartier des Chartrons, Place Pey-Berland, and the docks.
