Bordeaux 2
Bordeaux has been one of the most famous wine regions in the world since the 1800’s for good reason. The land area is famously divided by the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers, creating the Left Bank and Right Bank. The Left Bank includes presitgious sites such as Medoc, Pauillac, and Margaux, where as the Right Bank is home to well known Saint-Emilion and Pomerol. The best vineyards have gravel soil that drains the rain and retains heat from the sun, helping sun-loving varietals ripen even in chillier maritime climate.
Most wine from this region (a whopping 90%) is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, creating full bodied, age-worthy wines that crave richer, salty dishes. Think: steak frites, or a roasted leg of lamb! Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot the other “Noble Grapes” permitted in red blends.
That said, there’s SO much more to this region than the historic chateaux and prestigious red blends. In Entre-Deux-Mers we find white blends of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Muscadelle bursting with grapefruit, lemon-lime, and gooseberry flavors. And in Sauternes, we find one of the great sweet wines of the world, made only possible because of the unique morning fog that rolls in through the vineyards. A resulting fungus, Botrytis, causes the grapes to shrivel and concentrate their flavors and sugar.
