Bordeaux Rouge
Bordeaux, France, is truly the land of blends. This historic region is home to sought-after wines crafted in famous styles that are emulated around the world. Bordeaux Rouge or red Bordeaux blends are globally renowned for their complexity, elegance and ability to age gracefully.
What is a Bordeaux blend?
The Bordeaux red blend is a traditional French red wine that features the principal red grape varieties used in Bordeaux. These robust red wines are usually made from varying proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc with smaller amounts of Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carménère. These varieties have called the vineyards of Bordeaux home for millennia. They offer a diverse range of flavors, aromas and structural characteristics, which, when skillfully combined, create wines greater than the sum of their parts.
What do Bordeaux Rouge wines taste like?
Bordeaux red wine can be split into roughly two styles; Left Bank Bordeaux and Right Bank Bordeaux. The Left Bank is known for its gravelly soils, ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, meaning its wines feature a higher proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. They are often powerful and structured with firm tannins and notes of ripe dark fruit. The Right Bank has primarily clay and limestone soils. These wines tend to favor Merlot as the dominant grape variety. The best examples are softer than Left Bank wines, with velvety textures and red fruit notes. Due to their success and unwavering popularity, regions worldwide often create their own "Bordeaux-styled blends." These wines can mimic the original blends or showcase a unique twist using grapes native to the particular region. Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Chile and the United States are just a few regions with excellent examples to explore.
Bordeaux wine and food pairings
Red Bordeaux wines are a fantastic match for red meats due to their powerful tannic structure and rich flavors. Serve them alongside grilled steak, roast beef or lamb. Vegetarian dishes should feature hearty vegetables like eggplant, mushrooms and zucchini. These pair even better when made into casseroles or stew. For something simpler, there's nothing like the classic combination of French wine and cheese. Choose medium to hard cheese like aged Cheddar, Gouda, Comté or Gruyère. Feeling inspired? Discover pairing advice and more in our Wine School.