Vive la France!!

            Here we go again – back to wine.  The French make some great wines, but their labels are not always “user friendly.”  Today, I will discuss the basics of Bordeaux and Burgundy.  These are simply places in France where the grapes are grown that go into their respective wines.

            Bordeaux, located on the West Coast of France is probably the best known of these regions, responsible for some of the most expensive and sought after wines in the world (Chateau Lafite, Chateau Margaux, Chateau Latour and Haut Brion are a few examples, and they make up the Premier Cru Red Wine Classifications of French Bordeaux wines).  The French are very strict in their methods and designations, so they have “classified” their wineries.  Though the ones I mentioned are their “First Growths,” the Second, Third, Fourth, etc… are also known for excellent wines which may match the higher classifications in both quality and expense.  There are also sub-regions within Bordeaux that have their own wine characteristics.  The French even have specific bottles for their wine regions.  The Bordeaux bottle is taller and thinner than its Burgundy and Rhone counterpart.  As for the grapes that you would usually find in Bordeaux red wines, they are generally a blend – with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon dominant.  These wines tend to be powerful, rich and long lasting – and might even impart a “barnyard” smell (remember our first article on wine tasting).   The white wines are usually a blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes.  These wines are generally soft, delicate and easy to drink.  Bordeaux is also responsible for the finest dessert wine made – Chateau Yquem.

            Burgundy is no poor step-sister to Bordeaux, also making some of the best wines in the world.  In fact, some of the most expensive wines that I have ever sold were from Burgundy, notably the Domaine de la Romanee Conti vineyards.  These can range up to several thousand dollars a bottle.  Burgundy stretches from Chablis in the north to Beaujolais in the south.  The white Burgundy wines, including Chablis, are generally Chardonnay grapes known for their richness, complexity and longevity.  The red Burgundy wines are generally Pinot Noir grapes known for their deep color and full body.

            The next time you visit your favorite wine shop and look for French wine, you might notice that the label does not state what grapes are in the bottle.  In summary, if the bottle is red and says Bordeaux, think Cabernet/Merlot blend.  If white, think Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend.  If the bottle says Burgundy and is red, think Pinot Noir.  If white, think Chardonnay.  If the bottle says Rhone, it is probably a Grenache/Syrah/Mouvedre blend, but that is another area and a topic for the future, as I am out of space and it is time to stop.