Adventure in Bordeaux France? Fun in The World’s Most Iconic Wine Region!
In this episode of V is for Vino, host Vince explores Bordeaux, France, a world-renowned wine region that is evolving with a new generation of winemakers. The video covers the region’s history, the famous 1855 classification, the science of blending, and the modern, approachable side of Bordeaux wine.
🏛️ History and the 1855 Classification
- Ancient Origins: Wine growing in Bordeaux dates back to the 1st century AD. Its global fame grew in the 12th century through trade with England and in the 17th century when the Dutch drained the Left Bank marshes to expand vineyards [01:44], [02:11].
- The Classification of 1855: At the request of Napoleon III for the Universal Exposition in Paris, the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce ranked 61 châteaus into five “growths” based on their selling price. While it remains highly influential today, it only represents about 2% of the region’s wines [03:35], [06:45].
🍇 Left Bank vs. Right Bank
Bordeaux is geographically divided by the Gironde River into two main areas with distinct styles:
- Left Bank (Médoc & Graves): Features gravelly soil, leading to Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends. These wines are typically powerful, tanic, and built for long-term aging [19:25], [29:16].
- Right Bank (Saint-Émilion & Pomerol): Features clay-heavy soil, favoring Merlot-based blends. These wines are generally softer, fruitier, and more approachable when young [29:39], [30:06].
- Entre-Deux-Mers: The area between the two rivers, known for its dry white wines made from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon [20:08], [30:23].
🍷 The Art of Blending
Vince visits Château Cormeil-Figeac in Saint-Émilion for a blending masterclass:
- Complexity: Blending allows winemakers to add layers of flavor. For example, Merlot provides fruit and alcohol, while Cabernet Franc adds freshness and structure [43:52], [44:28].
- Oak Influence: Aging in new oak adds baking spice notes, whereas used oak provides a more subtle softening through oxygen contact [44:37], [44:53].
🍽️ Modern Bordeaux and Food Pairings
The video highlights the Bordeaux Oxygen group, a collective of young winemakers working to make the region’s wines more unpretentious and accessible [33:37].
- Sauternes & Oysters: A surprising “ying and yang” pairing where the sweet, honeyed dessert wine contrasts with the salty, savory oyster [48:14].
- White Bordeaux & Shrimp Tartar: The acidity of the wine cuts through the richness of the raw shrimp and olive oil [49:31].
- Red Bordeaux & Duck: The tannins in a Merlot blend pair perfectly with the fat of seared duck breast and foie gras [53:37].
📍 Must-Visit Sites
- La Cité du Vin: A high-tech, interactive wine museum in the city of Bordeaux that explores the history and science of wine globally [12:24].
- The Monolithic Church: A massive underground church in Saint-Émilion, carved entirely out of rock in the 12th century [40:12].
Watch the full journey here: Adventure in Bordeaux France? Fun in The World’s Most Iconic Wine Region!
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