How to Serve Bordeaux Wine

Home to over 10,000 wine producers and 13,000 grape growers, the Bordeaux region of France has long held a reputation for both the quality and quantity of wines produced each year. With recorded evidence of vineyards existing in the area as long ago as 71 AD, it is quite safe to refer to France as the world's wine capital.

Understanding Bordeaux Wines

In order to fully understand the basics of Bordeaux wine, it is important to note the many varieties and qualities of wine which are produced by this region. 88% of all wines produced by the Bordeaux region are red, also known as "claret" in some cultures and areas. The remaining 12% of wines produced by the region are white.

Varying in taste from sweet to dry to tart and even slightly bitter, both red and white Bordeaux wines are available in an overwhelming number of qualities, each suited for a specific taste and accompanied by a different price tag.

Serving Temperatures for Bordeaux Wines

Unfortunately, when it comes to serving French wine, there is no golden rule designed to simplify the process, but rather many tips concerning bringing out the very best in specific wines:

To bring out the fruity and sweet flavors of an older wine, it is recommended to serve the wine somewhat warm, such as room temperature.

Red wines typically contain a higher concentration of tannins than most white wines. This higher concentration often highlights a somewhat bitter flavor. Serving most red wines chilled is the best way to control the bitterness.

Sweet and fruity wines often contain more sugar than drier varieties, which can overwhelm some individuals and prevent an enjoyable tasting. Chilling sweet and fruity wines is typically recommended in order to control the sweetness.

Pairing Bordeaux Wines with Foods

While an endless amount of rules and guidelines exist in pairing certain wines with foods, only a few are useful in a universal sense:

Always attempt to match flavors. If you're serving a spicy dish, do not pair it with a sweet and fruity wine. For example, a mild meal such as chicken breast and steamed vegetables can easily be paired with any number of slightly dry table wines.

Use common sense. So, it's your turn to host a dinner party and you're serving Italian dishes? Use common sense and serve traditionally Italian wines with the meal.

Serve white wines before reds. Many white wines offer a light flavor and quality which is best enjoyed with a light meal or snack. This makes most white wines excellent to serve with appetizers or salad courses. Red wines are typically heavier and stronger than white wines, making a nice choice for large meals or main courses.

Discover your perfect combination. Experiment with wines and foods suited to your personal taste to find the right combination for you.

Sources:
Experience
http://www.france-property-and-information.com/serve-french-wine.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/bordeaux_wine