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Bordeaux
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The Bordeaux
region in southwestern
France has been famed in the wine trade for centuries.
Bordeaux produces more classified wine than any other region in
France. The quality of this wine ranges from some of the best
in the world to some that is less than perfect. Bordeaux is most
noted for the red wines of exceptional quality that it produces.
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The Bordeaux
region stradles the Gironde Estuary that is formed when the Garonne
and Dordogne rivers converge. It has a rich history and was especially
important in the wars between France and England. Bordeaux is
also the name of the major city within the region.
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Based
on the centuries of grape growing and winemaking history in the
region, the local regulations allow only six grape varieties to
be used in the production of red wine. (You can actually grow
whatever you want, but only the 6 authorized red grapes can be
used in red wines labeled 'Bordeaux'). Of these grapes, only 5
are really in use today. They are:
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| The sixth grape, Carmenere,
is nearly impossible to find in the region today. |
| For white wines, there are
only three grape varieties allowed: |
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| The major areas of the Bordeaux
region are: |
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| Many of the chateaux of
Bordeaux have been rated as to the quality of their wines. The best
known was the Classification
of the Medoc of 1855. |
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