GRAPE VARIETIES FOR WHITES
GRAPE VARIETIES FOR REDS
AN INTRODUCTION TO
SAUVIGNON BLANC Crisp and fresh. Lots of green fruit flavours: gooseberries, limes, green apples, grass and elderflower. A very distinctive variety that often
The region of Bordeaux is divided by the Gironde estuary to create the ‘Left Bank’ and the ‘Right Bank’. Bordeaux wines are traditionally blended. As a general rule of thumb, red wines from the left bank have a higher proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon and the wines from the right bank have more Merlot.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON Flavours of blackcurrant, dark fruit, spice and often oak. Wines tend to have a deep colour and lots of tannin. Grown in a particular way, Cabernet Sauvignon is capable of making wines that can age for a very long time. It is often blended with Merlot, as in Bordeaux. It makes great wines from around the world and can be found in Chile, California (especially Napa) and South Africa to name but a few. MERLOT Dark fruit and prune aromas. It can be rich and structured or light and juicy . This is a very popular choice, largely because it is often very easy drinking, fruity and smooth. When blended together the fruit of the Merlot can complement the full structure of Cabernet. Merlot is grown widely around the world in many New World countries, but its home is Bordeaux. CABERNET FRANC Medium to full-bodied with dark fruit similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, though sometimes with leafy, green notes. This grape generally plays second fiddle to Cabernet Sauvignon as they are often blended together, along with Merlot, to produce the red wines of Bordeaux. When grown in the right place it can produce good wine by itself. There are good examples from the Loire and the New World, like Chile.
has a powerful, grassy aroma. Used to make Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé in the Loire Valley region in France.
SEMILLON Tropical fruit, floral, citrus fruit and honey. Sometimes there will be a waxy scent as well. Acidity tends to be high. You will often find this blended with Chardonnay, especially in wines from Australia. In Bordeaux it is blended with Sauvignon Blanc. Semillon can make very rich and full-bodied white wines, and is also used to make sweet wines.
Bordeaux is the largest vineyard of fine wines in the world. It is a vast region with a great range of wines among the lesser-known appellations as well as among the crus classés. The diversity in character and style is due to the varied soils and climate and to the care and ability of the people who make the wine.
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