9th October 2023 | Cork Talk | 5 minute read
There’s nothing quite like a warming glass of Bordeaux on a cosy night in, whether it’s a traditional Cabernet Merlot blend or a modern, fruitier style. Gone are the days of this world-famous region being associated with just one style of red wine, with a range of lighter styles and new grape variety blends being produced across its 57 appellations. We think these diverse reds are pretty magnificent, so we’re firmly putting them on your radar as we embrace red wine season.
There was a time, not that long ago, when the red wines of Bordeaux were most definitely for the more mature wine lover who would nurture a collection of claret for years. Then came a revolution.
Modern Bordeaux is all about variety and experimenting with new winemaking techniques and grapes. It’s about balancing the old with the new, honouring tradition while also responding to emerging consumer trends. In recent years, the winemaking scene in this iconic region has completely evolved, giving us exciting new red wine styles to enjoy that many of us wouldn’t have previously associated with Bordeaux.
With so many different preferences out there to please, we’re seeing winemakers across the world diversifying their ranges to cater to a wider group of wine drinkers, and the same revolution can be seen in Bordeaux.
Historically, we’ve thought of red wines from this region as full, complex Cabernet Merlot blends that are great for ageing, but nowadays we’re also seeing reds that can be enjoyed young. There’s been a distinct movement towards fruit-forward wines with supple tannins, which is achieved by shorter macerations and gentler extraction methods. These wines offer a lighter texture that’s really quite different from the mouth-drying tannins and full body we’re used to.
Increasingly, winemakers are using amphoras and large foudres during fermentation rather than the traditional oak barrel, and certainly much less new oak, to preserve the natural flavours of the fruit. Many are also focused on creating terroir-driven wines with minimal intervention in the vineyard and cellar to deliver wines with the truest expression of place. Use of wild yeasts and gravity-fed winemaking are all part of the process, resulting in Bordeaux wines that have a purity we haven’t seen before.
Winemaker Nicola Allison, of Château du Seuil in the esteemed Graves appellation, has noticed the shift in winemaking over the years since taking on the vineyard in 2001. As she says, what we’re seeing in Bordeaux now is a wonderful blend of tradition meets innovation.
Innovation can be seen throughout Bordeaux in a number of ways, including vegan cuvées, wines produced without the use of sulphur, organic and biodynamic practices, and a huge focus on sustainability from grape to glass (something which is very important to us as a carbon neutral company).
One of the biggest movements in modern Bordeaux is a re-introduction of indigenous red grape varieties such as Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carménère. In fact, the area now occupied by these three grape varieties across the region’s 57 appellations has doubled in the last 20 years, giving Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (the varieties that famously dominate Bordeaux) a real run for their money and completely transforming the viticultural landscape.
Another key grape variety that’s growing in popularity here is Cabernet Franc. Just like Merlot, this grape thrives in the clay and limestone terroir that runs through the Right Bank, making it a very logical variety to plant in famous appellations like Saint-Émilion. We’ll likely see more and more Cabernet Franc-based wines coming out of Bordeaux over the next five years, changing the wine scene yet again.
Along with new single-varietal wines that are unusual for Bordeaux, we’re also seeing a rise in unexpected grape blends, such as this Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc blend in Guillaume Sourice’s Château La Raze Beauvallet Médoc Cru Bourgeois.
No matter the grape blend, winery technique or wine style, a Bordeaux red always feels sophisticated and like a guarantee of fine craftsmanship. It’s why we love them, and it’s also why a selection of classy Bordeaux reds is an absolute must for the lead up to Christmas.
Our award-winning buyers here at Virgin Wines are forever championing different styles of winemaking, which is reflected in the array of wines available across our website. When it comes to Bordeaux wines, we’ve got plenty of options to suit your mood this winter, from deeply delicious drops for your cosy nights in to elegant, fruity blends you’ll want to pair with your favourite foods.
Check out the full range below for some serious winter wine rack inspiration.
