Bordeaux is France’s largest wine-producing region, both in terms of volume and value. However, it is sometimes described as a region of two halves. On the one hand, Bordeaux produces some of the world’s most expensive red and sweet white wines and is home to many of the most prestigious names in fine wine. Among them are the legendary Premier Cru (First Growth) châteaux: Haut-Brion, Latour, Lafite Rothschild Mouton Rothschild and Margaux (pictured above).
This week I’ve updated the various sections of this website to reflect some of the things we covered in class in our investigation into the wines of Bordeaux. In the Growing section I highlight the main grapes that are grown in the region, as well as the areas in which they are cultivated. Meanwhile in the Making section I elaborate on the styles of wine that Bordeaux is famous far, including red blends and sweet white wines. Finally in the Pairing section I explore some of the foods that are often recommended to be served along with Bordeaux wines.
Of course there’s more to French wine than Bordeaux. Other important production regions include Burgundy in eastern France, which is famous for both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; Beaujolais, to the south of Burgundy (famous for Gamay); Alsace near the German border (Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc); the Loire Valley (Muscadet, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc); and the Rhône Valley (Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne, Roussane and Châteauneuf-du-Pape blends). Next week I plan to update the site with insights into one of these other regions.