THE “DIVIDE AND CONQUER” REGION
People are attracted to the Bordeaux region for two reasons: It’s the second largest wine producing region in the world, producing over 700 million bottles of wine on average each year; and secondly, its versatility attracts everyone from the average wine consumer to the most intense of collectors. But what draws my attention to this beautiful region, is not what’s on the vine, but rather the environment and the various appellations within it.
Bordeaux’s survival and success with grape growing can be attributed to the Gironde River, which flows through the region. This natural irrigation works wonders for the vines, because the gravel and flint provide excellent drainage, and keep the roots hydrated. The Gironde River divides this region into three areas:
The Left Bank
• Some of the famous appellations in the area are: Medoc AC, Saint-Estephe AC, Paulliac AC, Saint-Julien AC, Sautemes AC
• The Haut-Medoc AC is known as the sweet spot on the Gironde River. 52 % of the grapes planted in this region are Cabernet Sauvignon. This AC straddles the Bordeaux and the Medoc region.
• Sautemes AC’s -are popular for their sweet white wines. A crazy disease commonly known as Noble Rot is to thank for this (Botrytis Cinerea aka Noble Rot is a disease the sucks the water out of the grape, leaving a concentrated, sweet grape… see not all diseases are bad! –see photo below)
The Right Bank
• Cotes de Bourg AC and Cotes de Blaye AC- these are the oldest wine producing areas in Bordeaux, with their main grape being Merlot
• Pomerol AC- has a great reputation for their Merlot blends. They are considered the most gentle and least tannic/acidic of the wines in the entire region
• Fronsac AC have the most full-bodied, affordable wines in the right bank
• Saint-Emilion AC- (probably the most well known in this area) The Romans planted these vineyards in 2nd century AD and produced are very flavourful Merlots and Cabernet Francs
The Middle of it all
• Large white wine production in this area
• Entre Deux Mers AC- the largest appellation in the Bordeaux region. It sells ¾ of all of the wine sold in Bordeaux. It is located between the Garonne and the Dordogne River.
My picks of wines for this region:
CH. Belgrave Haut-Medoc AC 12.5%
2004 Grand Cru Classes
Grape: Cabernet-Merlot Blend
Colour: Blood Red, Rusty
Aroma: Black Current, Earth, Spicy, Smokey, Cedar
Taste: Earthy, Acidic with good tannins
Pairing: Mushroom dishes, Sausages
Price: $25ish
Saint Emilion AC 2005 13.5%
Christian Moueix
Grape: Merlot
Colour: Inky Purple
Aroma: Stemy, Tobacco
Taste: Earth, Light
Pairing: Steak
Price: $18.95 at the LCBO
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-Tara Anderson
