2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Bordeaux (Bordeaux) is a French wine made in the iconic city of Bordeaux, located on both banks of the Garonne River. Bordeaux is one of the most famous wine centers in the world. Wines with a controlled designation of origin are produced here. There are many more vineyards than in Germany and California. The wines produced there are mostly red. Of course, there are other types. They can be dry, dessert or sparkling. The burgundy, whether red or white, is a blend. In its composition you will find notes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Carmener, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and more.
The huge vineyards are a hallmark of the city of Bordeaux. They spread over flat areas and enjoy a mild climate. Favorable conditions do not allow the vineyards to freeze in winter or dry out in summer. Thus the vineyards in Bordeaux enjoy a soft and moist spring that allows them to grow quickly. If all is well with the plants, they bloom in July. However, autumn can be problematic for the harvest. If it happens too rainy, it can endanger some of the varieties grown in the area.
The soils found here are also of great importance for the successful development of the vineyards and the obtaining of a rich harvest. On the left bank they are gravelly, mixed with sand and a small amount of clay. They have good drainage. They are relatively warm. The soils on the right bank are made of limestone, clay, gravel and other components. They are rather cool.
History of Bordeaux wine
Wine culture prevails in the city Bordeaux for many centuries. Ancient chronicles show that vineyards were grown here and wines were made in Roman times. Unfortunately, there is not enough information about these processes after the decline of the Roman Empire. Other more detailed information dates from the twelfth century. They point out that during this period, wine production became an increasingly important element of the local economy.
A significant event for the city Bordeaux is the marriage between Henry Plantagenet, the future King of England, and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Aquitaine carries as a dowry a large territory from France, including Bordeaux. Thanks to this marriage, Bordeaux has been under English rule for three centuries, which in turn has a positive effect on wine production. There is another event in the history of the city that has influenced the cultivation of vineyards. In the seventeenth century, they drained the swamps around Medoc and sowed notable grape varieties.
Bordeaux production
The production of Bordeaux it is not an easy task. If the traditional way of wine production is followed, the fruits are first crushed and then placed in special vessels made of steel or wood where the fermentation takes place. This takes about ten days. After malolactic fermentation occurs, the material is transferred to wooden barrels. Interestingly, the blending of individual wines is done immediately before the grape elixir is bottled. The wine mixture is then aged directly in the bottle.
Characteristics of burgundy
As it has already become clear, burgundy wines are traditionally a blend. Red wines of this type include varieties such as Carmener, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot. For white varieties we have Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadel and Semillon. Red wines have the potential to mature. They are characterized by a delicate scent and softness.
The dense and saturated aromas could enchant any true connoisseur of grape elixirs. White wines are delicate and fresh. They have floral notes and unobtrusive acidity. Wines produced in Bordeaux, have a controlled designation of origin. That is, the wine with this name can be prepared only in this city and under certain conditions.
There are 57 controlled designations of origin in Bordeaux. They are divided into several main groups. The first group is Bordeaux Supierieur. It includes grapes from old vineyards. The characteristic here is that the wine must mature for about a year before it appears on the market. The second group of wines is Cotes de Bordeaux. They are thick and strong red wines in which merlot is very important.
The third group is Medoc and Graves. Wines belonging to it can be white and red. Reds can mature longer. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are present. The white grape elixirs of the group are dry or semi-sweet. The group Saint-Emilion, Pomerol and Fronsac are also known. Here are the wines that are soft and refined. The next group is the group of dry white wines. It includes wines prepared on the territory of Gironde. The sixth group includes sweet white wines. They can be sweet or semi-sweet.
Serving in Bordeaux
When serving wines produced in Bordeaux, one must take into account what kind they belong to and what their age is. In any case, it is good that they are slightly cooled before serving - to a temperature of 11 to 14 degrees. In sweet white wines, the temperature may be even lower. For red wines, the temperature should be around 12 degrees if they are lighter, and around 16 degrees if they are heavier.
Wines produced in Bordeaux, are served in a special cup of the same name. It is slender and rather voluminous. You will recognize it by its delicate extension at the bottom. Upwards, the vessel shrinks just as smoothly. It most successfully reveals the characteristics of aged wines. It is good to decant them before consumption. The structure of this type of glass allows the aromas to be carried upwards and to feel the complex scent.
When choosing food for your Bordeaux, comply with its type. If it is red, beef, beef, chicken or duck dishes are more suitable. As the dishes can be subjected to various heat treatments. If the wine is well matured, it can be combined with some game. Red wines combine perfectly with semi-hard cheeses such as cheddar, gouda, edamer and others. If you have white wine on the table, it is not bad to combine it with light meats, white fish, crabs, mussels or shrimp. You can also make an omelet.
