I must admit that understanding about Red Bordeaux wine can be pretty intense. Before we start, the French sometimes label their bottles with the name of the region and not the grape variety. So, let’s try to make this a little easier to understand, without sounding too complicated and boring.

The region of Bordeaux is located in Southwest France, near the Atlantic coast, which accounts for eighty percent of the red wine produced. The two main grapes that are grown in Bordeaux are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Cabernet dominates the left western bank of the Garonne River while Merlot dominates the right eastern bank of the Northern Dordogne River. The red wines of Bordeaux are almost always made from a blend of grapes and sometimes include Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec in addition to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

So, you just purchased a big, fat, juicy steak, and you’re looking in the French aisle for a red Bordeaux? Where do you begin? How do you choose a good one?

You can start by understanding the quality levels that the label on the bottle specify.

Bordeaux: The lowest level and usually the least expensive.

Region: Called by the regional names, such as Pauillac and St-Emilion. These wines are more expensive than those labeled simply as Bordeaux.

Region + Chateau: Chateau wines are from individual vineyards and are usually considered to be the best-quality wines of Bordeaux.

Here are some of the selections we offer here at Nino’s.

Village La Tourelle Bordeaux 2014:

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Supple and delicious with aromas of cherry and blackcurrant. There is an intense, full flavor with a long, velvety finish.

Marquis De Bell-Air Margaux 2015:

75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot

Subtle aromas of red and black fruit with notes of spice. Full tannins coat the palate. This wine is well-structured with excellent length and good ageing potential.

Chateau Pedesclaux- Grand Cru Classe- Pauillac 2013:

Aromas of cedar wood and Christmas spice cake. Medium-bodied with full and silky tannins.

I hope you found this helpful!

Cheers,
Simone.