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Recently, I ventured into San Francisco to attend a Bordeaux tasting at Elroy's restaurant. This event included a seminar on Bordeaux by Master Sommelier, Andrea Immer; the Beverage Director at the world famous Windows on the World Restaurant in New York City.

First of all, it helps to understand some of the components of the European wine labels. In most of Europe, wine is named by the region where the grapes are grown or in other words by the appellation. For example, Bordeaux wine is from the Bordeaux region of France. From there the label becomes more specific. Andrea describes this as the "Bulls-Eye System." An analogy showing how each ring provides more specific information. For example, sometimes you will see the word Chateau on a label. This means a vineyard with a wine making facility attached. This can be important because then you know the grapes are grown and the wine is made all in the same facility.

Once you know the appellation then the label will tell you the town. So, what does the town tell you about a Bordeaux wine? Well, a lot considering the Bordeaux region has a river that runs through it which can effect the climate tremendously. Andrea instructs, "Think of the region as a peace sign." Notice how the river's path creates somewhat of a peace sign. This makes it easier to remember the different subregions within Bordeaux.

Left Bank or Medoc Region of Bordeaux

This area includes the more prestigious towns of Margaux, St. Julian, Pauillac and St. Estephe. These towns are good to remember because the wines they make are very good. The Left Bank or Medoc regional wines are older, well established and are generally more austere, tannic and contain a more pronounced blackcurrant flavor. Left Bank wines are known for their aging capabilities because they are Cabernet based. As an interesting note, according to Andrea, 5% of all wines are meant for aging and the rest are meant to be consumed young.

Right Bank Region of Bordeaux

This area includes the prominent towns of St. Emilion and Pomeral. The Right Bank Bordeaux wines are best consumed at a young age because they are Merlot based, these are richer and plummy in flavor as well as less tannic.

The East Bank

That's it. The first two regions are the important ones to remember. The grapes grown in the East Bank region are grown as filler grapes, these wines are considered less attractive.

In a nutshell, a red Bordeaux is equivalent to Cabernet and Merlot blend of grapes. A white Bordeaux is equivalent to a Sauvignon Blanc. The sweeter dessert Bordeaux's come from Sauternes which is in the Lower Left Bank region. The Sauternes Bordeaux is wonderful because it's not sweet like a Muscat. I would correlate it as a cross between a Sauvignon Blanc and a Muscat wine... wonderful with pears.

These were the following wines we tasted and we suggest you find them and try them because it was an excellent lesson in the vast array of flavors and textural variations of the Bordeaux wines.

Baron Philippe De Rothschild, Saint Emilion
Baron Philippe De Rothschild, Mouton Cadet, Modec (white)
Baron Philippe De Rothschild, Mouton Cadet Reserve, Modec (red)
Baron Philippe De Rothschild, Graves Baron Philippe De Rothschild, Pauillac
Baron Philippe De Rothschild, Sauternes

As always.... ENJOY!

By: Bev Brock-Alexander