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Bordeaux Wine for Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to Bordeaux blend
About Bordeaux blend
Bordeaux blends refer to wines made from grapes that are grown in the region of Bordeaux, France. Ninety percent of Bordeaux wines are red, while the other 5% are of a white variety. The primary flavors of red Bordeaux wines include black currant, plum, graphite, cedar, and violet. They include blends such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Merlot, to name a few. White Bordeaux wines are described as zippy and fresh or creamy with lemon tones and include blends such as Sauternais, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sémillon.
Red Bordeaux wines are medium- to full-bodied wines that are high in tannins. These tannins aid in the aging process of Bordeaux blends, even if they're left to store for several decades. The flavors of red Bordeaux range from tart and sour to sweet and fragrant, depending on the grape quality, the bottle's vintage, and the region in which the grapes are grown.
Types of Bordeaux blend
Six Bordeaux varietals are created using different combinations of red grapes, bringing unique characteristics and flavors to these wines.
- Cabernet Sauvignon: The grapes used to create this popular wine are bold and contain rich flavors of dark fruit, cherry, and tobacco. Cabernet Sauvignon is great as a stand-alone wine or when used in a Bordeaux blend.
- Merlot: Although it originated in France, this red Bordeaux blend grape can be grown anywhere in the world. The most popular Merlot wines have a range of flavors that include blackberries, plums, black cherries, and cocoa, alongside clove, vanilla, and cedar notes.
- Cabernet Franc: With high acidity and fewer tannins than its counterparts, Cabernet Franc holds aromas of red plum, roasted pepper, strawberry, chili pepper, and crushed gravel.
- Petit Verdot: This blend is not typically used as a stand-alone wine but brings beautiful coloring and a variety of tannins to the wine blends it helps to create. Herbal and floral notes include violet, lilac, lavender, and sage. When aged in oak, this grape takes on a softer quality with hints of vanilla, hazelnut, and mocha.
- Malbec: This dark-colored wine is typically dry and full-bodied with flavors of blackberry, red plum, vanilla, dark chocolate, tobacco, and oak. The grape took hold in Argentina, where the warmer climate is more favorable for the growth of the Malbec, which is now known as the national wine of Argentina.
- Carménère: This grape is one of the oldest in winemaking history, with hints of raspberry sauce, sour cherry, and green peppercorn. Known as Chile's national wine, this grape nearly went extinct in France due to the colder climate. Eventually, it found its home in South America.
Helpful tips when choosing a Bordeaux blend
Consider the following helpful tips when choosing a red or white Bordeaux blend:
- Age: With Bordeaux blends, the longer they age, the more flavorful they are. A Bordeaux Château blend needs at least 10 years to age well, whereas a regional wine can be consumed within 2-3 years after harvest.
- Price: Prices of Bordeaux blends vary between $20-300. What causes such a wide fluctuation in the price? The vineyard's location, the age of the vines, the winemaking technique, and the vintage of the wine, or the year in which they were picked are all factors.
- Value: To get the most value for your money, consider choosing a Château that is either not as popular as others or that you've not heard about before. Another way to save on your budget is to choose a second-label wine.
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