When it comes to French wine, it’s sometimes easy to forget that varietals are also in the industry. But there are several common Bordeaux Varieties that you will see more often than others, and although French wine is usually a blend of several grape varieties, it helps to understand the flavors and aromas associated with each one.
Burgundy Variations #1: Merlot
Merlot makes up more than half of the total acres in the Bordeaux region, and has long been considered a varietal in Bordeaux wine. Its rich flavors and wide spectrum of spices have been missed by many lovers around the world, and perhaps it was first encountered in discussions about .
Merlot grapes tend to ripen, which makes them ideal for the cool region of Bordeaux. Many excellent wines fall into this category, including Château Le Moulin Pomerol and Chateau Saint Colombe. Merlot varieties are traditionally medium strong with notes of red fruits and brown spices.
Burdeaux Varietales #2: Cabernet Sauvignon
Another popular Bordeaux wine variety is Cabernet Sauvignon, which is another variety of red grape . It was originally developed when French winemakers crossed Cabernet Franc with Sauvignon Blanc in the late 1600s. It is often blended with Merlot in Bordeaux, but can also be found in French varieties.
Château Beau-Puits, Chateau d’Arnaussan and Chateau Haut Riot are common Bordeaux varietals, although many more exist. These wines are often grown for longevity and are best known for their oak characteristics. They are also sometimes fruity and often have a hint of green pepper.
Other Bordeaux varieties
There are several varieties of Bordeaux that are worth checking out. Cabernet frana red grape varietal that is frequently used in French wine and produces a lighter, much less acidic making than Cabernet Sauvignon.
Pinot noir is most often found in the Burgundy region, but there are some appellations where Bordeaux is found. You can also find the Sauvignon blanc varietal. Sometimes it is true that when the Bordeaux varietal begins to become scarcer in acres and vineyards, it becomes more expensive. For this reason, when you search for French wine, you will find higher prices when these are the only or first grapes used.
Bordeaux Varietals vs. Blends
As mentioned above, today French wine is mainly produced in the market by mixing different types of grapes. For example, Mouton Cadet is an inexpensive Bordeaux wine made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
Many French winemakers prefer to blend Bordeaux varietals because they combine the best qualities of each grape to produce richer new flavors. This is especially true when the Malbec and Petit Verdot varieties are used, or Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.
If you’re looking for cheap Bordeaux varietals, you’re in luck. There are plenty of options under $25 or $35, which means bigger savings if you enjoy more pure French wine varieties. Internet sites like Wine.com are the best sources when looking for new wines.
Sources:
MyWineHouse.com, Most Common Varietals
Redding.com, Bordeaux Varietals
