Demstistifying the Bordeaux Blend!
Ever wanted to buy a bottle of wine but never knew what to expect from it? May it be labeled as a grape varietal or the region where it comes from, the DemystiWine team is here to help you learn more about what to expect when you buy wines with certain grapes! Seeing as we all live in Bordeaux, we thought we would start by demystifying the famous Bordeaux blend, which includes two highly acclaimed grapes of the region: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Let's get started!!
Oftentimes called the King of red grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon first established its reputation in the gravely soils of the Médoc region of Bordeaux. This region has cabernet-dominant wines which allows it's tannic structure and blackcurrant to truly shine! It was in this region that one of the greatest blending partnerships of the wine world was forged - cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc.
Dark fruit flavors - black cherry, black currant, blackberry
Spicy - black pepper, bell pepper, licorice
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most popular and widely planted grape varieties. You can find it over 650,000 acres worldwide such as:
Because of Cab's high tannins and complex aromas, look to pair it with red meats, such as lamb and braised short ribs. Pairing it with savory meats will pair well with the high tannins in the wine letting the fruit shine through.
Merlot is known for it's round, velvety, delicious wines which often help soften the austere Cabernet Sauvignon.
Red fruit - cherry, raspberry, currant
Black fruit - blueberries, blackberries, black cherries
Oak - smoke, vanilla, spice, pepper
Other - chocolate, coffee, jammy fruits
Merlot is the most widely planted grape varietal in Bordeaux vineyards, comprising of almost 62% of the region's total area as well as the most widely planted wine grape in France and fifth most planted in the world, found in places such as:
Italy, notably in Tuscany
Since Merlot tends to maintain the freshness of fruit, it pairs well with all sorts of meals. It's soft textures and rich flavors pair with a wide variety of food such as meats, lambs, veals and stews. But you can also pair it with chicken and other light meats.
<<< We hope that you can use all of this great information the next time you go out and shop for wine! Check in later this week for more cool posts!
