We are virtually traveling our way around the world to wine producing countries- this time we head to France, the “Motherland” for all things wine. France is roughly the size of the state of Texas, with each section of the country an important and diverse wine growing region. We begin in the middle part of the small country with Bordeaux.
Bordeaux is considered to be the wine capital of the world. A two and a half hour train ride from Paris, the high speed rail line is far less expensive that the hour plus flight on Air France to the smaller airport in Bordeaux near the Gironde River. The Gironde is significant as it separates the Left Bank (Medoc and Graves) known for Cabernet Sauvignon, from the Right Bank (Libournais- Pomerol and St Emilion) known for Merlot. French wines seem complicated to us because their labels are not about the varietals in the wine, but the region or viticultural area these varietals are grown in. You have to know what regions the grape are grown when you are picking up a French wine (or have a knowledgeable staff like here at Ed’s to help you out!). The original Bordeaux Classification system for wine was created and still endures from 1855.
Libourne, the historic Capital sits on the Right Bank near the Dordogne River. A few miles west of there the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers converge. If you can remember that Right Bank refers to Merlot (or mostly Merlot based wines) with Pomerol and St Emilion the most popular, and Left Bank is Cabernet Sauvignon based and Medoc, Pauillac and Margeaux are the most famous, you can pick out a nice bottle of expensive French red wine (or reasonably priced).
Chateau Larose – Trintauden Cru Bourgeois Superieur is from the Haut Medoc, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot shows plum notes, with cracked black pepper on the nose, followed by a mid-palate of red fruit, blackberry and subtle oak. The wine is aged in traditional oak barrel for 12 to 14 months. The wine is an example of an affordable, quality Bordeaux that is consistent from vintage to vintage. I give it two bones.
Chateau Cap l’Ousteau from Haut Medoc is another Merlot and Cabernet blend with ripe blackberry and black currant fruit, with supple tannins and a mocha nose. I give it three bones.
The Bordeaux Region is also home to the white grape Sauvignon Blanc, which is often blended with a touch of Semillon. Muscadelle, and Uni Blanc and Sauvignon Gris are other white varietals allowed by law to be labeled under the Bordeaux AOC (Appellation de Origine Contolee’). The current French AOC has 363 approved appellations for wine and spirits, including Bordeaux, Bourgogne and Champagne.
Chateau Suau is an 80% Sauvignon Blanc 20% Semillon blend from the Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux region. The wine undergoes rigorous organic regulations and standards in the vineyard, and shows delicate citrus and floral on the nose with a perfect balance of acidity on the palate with peaches, and white flowers, I give it three bones.
A trip to the vineyards of Bordeaux is on many wine lover’s bucket lists. This time of year the skies are grey and there are no buds on the vines. The winds are cool and day time temperatures are in the mid 50’s to 60. Spring comes later in April when the growing season begins. To experience the world class wine growing regions and see the hills and touch the soils that make up some of the most historically rich and famous wines of all time- well, it awaits our being able to travel…hopefully soon. In the meantime, stop by and I will greet you with a wag of my tail, and we will happily show you around our French wine section.
By Brunello Giancola as told to CRBrown
