Finding the right wine can be very hard, whether you are trying to pair with food or simply trying to find something that suits your taste buds. Most of the time you have very little information about the taste profile of a wine on the actual label. This is the case also and maybe even particularly so for Bordeaux wines.
Bordeaux is one of the biggest winegrowing areas in the world, and here you are sure to find something you like. In two articles, we will show you some basic principles of finding what you like in the region. This is part 2 where we focus on the red wines. In need of inspiration?
Subscribe to our newsletter and receive the guide Bordeaux through the Seasons. Subscribe to the newsletter. Bordeaux is known worldwide for its red wines, that is a fact. But that has not always been the case. A general rule in Bordeaux is that red wines are blends of different grape varieties, at least when it comes to the most iconic wines.
If you are on the lookout for powerful wines that can age and evolve in bottle for decades, you should turn to the Medoc. Medoc is on what is called the left-bank of Bordeaux, in between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gironde estuary the river. Here, the ruling grape is Cabernet Sauvignon , a small, thick-skinned grape that can struggle to ripen even in other parts of Bordeaux. The top layer of soil in the Medoc is gravel, small rocks that help retain heat during colder nights and reflect early morning sunshine to fight frost and other hazards.
Giving Cabernet Sauvignon an optimal environment to ripen. In the Medoc, Cabernet Sauvignon will typically make up around two thirds of the blend and is the grape that defines the style of the area. Wines from the Medoc are normally full-bodied and very tannic , sure to leave a strong impression on your palate. Perfectly ripe Cabernet Sauvignon , often blended with Merlot and a couple of other grapes, produces rich black fruit flavours of cassis and black currant.
