How to Serve Bordeaux Wine

Bordeaux wine comes from the region of the same name in southwest France. It's "Arguably the most respected red wine region in the world", according to Allrecipes.com. Nearly 90% of Bordeaux wine is red. It's usually made from a combination of three different types of grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. You can identify a red Bordeaux wine by its rich, dark color, it's deep aroma, and it's even taste. Besides choosing the right wine for the occasion, it's equally important to serve Bordeaux wine properly. That way, you and your guests can enjoy its taste to the fullest.

What Foods to Serve With Bordeaux Wine

Red Bordeaux wines go well with beef, lamb, and duck, according to Allrecipes.com. You can serve either red or white French wine with dishes like Steamed Mussels, Roast Leg of Lamb, and Sole In Butter Sauce. Red Red Bordeaux also tastes good with grilled veal, game such as pheasant, and poultry such as grilled turkey, according to Terroir-france.com. Camembert, Brie and Roquefort cheeses are good accompaniments as well.

How to Chill Bordeaux Wine

Red Bordeaux wine should be stored on its side in a cool, dry, dark place. Before you serve it, allow it to reach room temperature, between 61 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, according to
Franceway.com. If there is sediment in this French wine, you should decant it before you serve it.
Younger wines and white wines don't usually need to be cleared before you serve them.

To decant older, red Bordeaux wine, pour the wine slowly into a decanter, according to www.wineintro.com. As you pour, keep the side that was down during the time the French wine was aged down. This will keep the sediment from mixing into the wine. Stop pouring when you can no longer pour without getting into sediment.

How to Serve Bordeaux Wine

The best glass to serve this French wine in is shaped like a tulip. It has a delicate taper at the bottom, and is curved slightly at the rim. This type of glass allows the wine to be aerated, or,
tilted or swirled to add fresh air to it.

If you serve both red and white Bordeaux wines, serve the white first. It's lighter in taste. Otherwise, it will be overcome by the taste of the stronger red wine. It's a good idea to provide a
glass of water so you and your guests can rinse off your palates in between the French wines.

To serve Bordeaux wine, fill the glass only a third full so it can be tilted easily. Handle the glass by its stem so you don't warm the French wine with your hand.

Resources:

http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/French-Wine-and-Food-Regions/detail.aspx
http://www.franceway.com/wines/bordeaux/red.htm
http://french-wine.suite101.com/article.cfm/bordeaux_wine
http://www.france-property-and-information.com/serve-french-wine.htm
http://www.franceway.com/w3/Culture/wines/bordeaux/red.htm
http://www.franceway.com/wines/bordeaux/taste.htm
http://www.terroir-france.com/wine/bordeaux_food.htm
http://www.wineintro.com/basics/decanting.html