How to Choose a French Bordeaux Wine Based on Grape Variety

You might know which types of grapes you like, but you may not know how to identify Bordeaux wines which contain those grape varieties. French wine is typically classified by region, not by grape variety. This guide will help you match grape variety to terroirs and appellations.

Wine Classification and Bordeaux Wines

The wine classification in France is one French wines are categorized by quality. There are also 57 appellations used to label wines in France, by region. There are also six official categories of French wine, which are then broken down into communes with individual appellations designated by vineyards.

This complex system of categorizing wines can be simplified when you are looking or Bordeaux wines, by focusing on the Bordeaux grape varieties used to make French Bordeaux wines. Some appellations are starting to include grape varieties on their labels, similar to wines produced by other countries, but the grape variety is not always apparent on many Bordeaux wines. Because the list of red and white grapes allowed for Bordeaux wine making is so short, they provide a solid foundation for understanding the wines of Bordeaux.

Bordeaux Grapes by Regions

Because French wines, including Bordeaux wines, are often named and named by region, at first glance it may seem challenging to find a wine with a grape variety you enjoy. By connecting the dots between each Bordeaux varietal and the region in which it is primarily grown, you will be able to see the bigger picture mapping out Bordeaux wines. Consider this your Bordeaux varietal wine cheat sheet. It is condensed and not comprehensive, but is a good starting guideline for exploring Bordeaux varieties of grapes

Bordeaux Grape Varieties and Wine Choosing

Cabernet Franc - Choose wines from Lalande-de-Pomerol, Lussac-Saint-Emilion, the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux, Pomerol or Saint-Emilion.

Cabernet Sauvignon - This grape variety plays a large part in the wines from the Bordeaux Supérieur, Haut-Médoc, Médoc and Graves, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2097539/wine_region_comparison_premieres_cotes.html , Saint-Julien and Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux. For a Bordeaux blend with a Cabernet (60%) and Merlot (40%) blend, try Barton & Guestier Gold Label 2006 from the Medoc Appellation.

Merlot - The Merlot variety may be found in wines labeled with following appellations: Bordeaux, Bordeaux Rosé, Premières Côtes de Blaye, Fronsac and Graves. For a Merlot varietal, a bottle of Château Lamothe 2006 ($12) from Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superiur will suit you, with 80 percent Merlot and 20 percent Cabernet. A pure Bordeaux Merlot is the Château Lalande Balestard 2005 ($25), from the same terroir.

Malbac - Rare in France, more popular in Argentina, you can still find Malbac in these Bordeaux wines: Bordeaux Côtes de Francs, Haut-Médoc and Margaux. Try the Château La Bonnelle 2005 ($31), with 20 percent Cabernet Franc and 80 percent Merlot.

Petit-Verdot may be found only in the Médoc and Graves regions according to the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB). Experience Petit-Verdot in Château Liversan 2006, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (40%), Cabernet Franc (5%) and Petit-Verdot (5%)).
Appellation: Haut-Médoc

Sauvignon Blanc or Sémillon - Find these white grape varieties in Entre-Deux-Mers or Graves, or wine labeled as Bordeaux Blanc (white Bordeaux). For a Bordeaux that is not a blend or a varietal, buy a bottle of Verdillac 2007 ($10) which is 100 percent Sauvignon (blanc). A pure Semillon can be found in La Chapelle de Lafaurie-Peyraguey 2004 (under $30), a sweet dessert wine from the Vins blancs d'Or terroir. If you enjoy Sauvignon (blanc) and Semillon equally, try Clarendelle 2006 (15-$17) which is made from equal portions of these white Bordeaux grape varieties.

Sweet White - When you want a sweet white wine opt for wines from the Barsac or Sauternes regions. A sweet Bordeaux white from Sauternes is the Castelnau de Suduiraut 2003, with 90 percent Semillon and 10 percent Sauvignon (blanc).

Muscadelle - Find the not-often used Muscadelle grape variety in the wines from Boreaux, Bordeaux Superieur, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux, Cadillac and Entre-Deux-Mers. Find Muscadelle in this Bordeaux blend, the Château Lamothe de Haux 2007 ($17).

Sources

*Prices given are an average and may be higher or lower in your local area.

Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB), http://www.bordeaux.com
Wine Varietals, It's All About the Grapes, http://www.wine-tastings-guide.com/wine-varietals.html
57 Bordeaux Appellations and their Grape Varieties, http://www.nicks.com.au/index.aspx?link_id=76.1482
Bordeaux, http://www.austincc.edu/bhay/BORDEAUX.doc, Austin Community College
The Wine Atlas, http://www.wineatlas.org/bordeaux-wine/index.html
Planete Bordeaux, http://www.planete-bordeaux.net/en