Don't Fear the Grape

Lead by John Glas, Don’t Fear the Grape: In-Depth will feature extended and more in-depth discussions on wine topics than Don’t Fear the Grape. It is geared towards the established wine enthusiast and those wishing to really delve deeper into the world of wine.

The first episode in a series exploring one of the most popular red wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, we discuss France’s Bordeaux region.

Located one hour from the Atlantic Ocean, Bordeaux is the most famous wine region and the largest fine wine region in the world. The Gironde River separates Bordeaux into the Left and the Right Bank and is home over 15,000 grape growers.

In 1855 there was a Classification Order that rank the top wines from the Medoc. Wines in 1855 were classified via growths by wine brokers who wanted to showcase the best wines of the Left Bank. There are currently 5 first growths, 14 second growths, 14 third growths, 10 fourth growths, and 18 fifth growths. The system is outdated and only one change has occurred since 1855 and that was the upgrade of Mouton Rothschild in 1973 to a 1st Growth.

Red grape varieties grown in the Bordeaux are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petite Verdot. Almost all the Bordeaux wines are blended.

Reds from the Bordeaux will usually have the following aromas: cherry, plum, black fruit, raspberry, earth, leather, oak, mineral, tobacco

Recent great vintages of Bordeaux include: 2005, 2003, 2000, 1998, 1990, but best value for the money is 2004.

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