WINO 101

Hello Friends and Wine Lovers!

It’s that time again! It’s time to get excited about wine! And this is a great week for it, as this week for the Carpe Vinum Friday Flights we’re having the exquisite wines of the French Bordeaux! If you’re unfamiliar with the region, we seek to remedy that tomorrow with some stunning examples of the Bordeaux wines! But first, we need to know a bit about the region, eh?

To begin with, you don’t HAVE to like French wine to like wine, but to know anything about wine, you must know that virtually all wine out there has been based on the previous French model. For example, they call it a “Bordeaux-Style” if it’s a Cabernet and Merlot-based wine like they make in Bordeaux. A Pinot Noir or Chardonnay is often considered “Bergundian”. Most sparkling wines are done in the “Methode Champanoise”. Syrah and Grenache-based wines are considered “Rhone-Style”. Even the bottle shapes are named after the French regions that determined what worked best for the particular wines of the region: Standard narrow bottles are Bordeaux, wide ones Burgundy, tall and skinny ones Alsatian, and so on.

So consider that French wines are the model for all others in the world, and every general wine book starts with France. And is it any wonder why the French wine section of these books starts with Bordeaux? (I mean, it can’t be only the fact that Bordeaux comes alphabetically before Burgundy, can it? Well, maybe. . .) It is, however, one of the most highly-esteemed wine regions in the world, and one of the most expensive. Also, the wines that follow in its footsteps are also some of the most highly-esteemed (and thusly expensive) wines in the world.

This “Bordeaux-Style” which sets the example worldwide is the classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, and Petit Verdot, all in varying amounts depending on the part of Bordeaux it’s from, and the Chateau that makes it. Quite honestly, I find that the Bordeaux wines have a certain finesse that its followers tend not to have, although, until I have the means and the desire to drop more than $50 on a single bottle of wine, I may never experience the best of either. (The best Bordeaux prices start at about $75 and top out at about $750 per bottle. Considering also that Bordeaux is also one of the best wines to cellar and will improve with age, the price just goes up from there.)

So, to make this tasting even more interesting, I chose one white Bordeaux, known for great balance and great value. For the reds, I chose a number of wines from around the Bordeaux region, but all from the 2003 vintage, considered the best vintage in decades. The 2003 wines are just being released around now, so this will be a great opportunity to see what remains in store for us.

Plus, and an extra-added bonus, I’m bringing in another sweet wine! It’s the legendary Sauternes. Just like how Bordeaux reds are the model for Cab/Merlots around the world, Sauternes is the model for late-harvest Botrytized sweet white wines. Noble Rot. Moldy grapes. It’s not as nasty as it sounds. . .although like most things, was probably discovered through either desperation or on a dare.

So Friday, April 21st, between 4:30 and 9:00 PM it’s:

The Big Bordeaux!!
Chartron la Fleur 2004 Bordeaux Blanc
Chateau Segonzac 2003 Premiere Cotes de Blaye
Chateau la Paradis 2003 Cotes de Bourg
Chateau Dilhac 2003 Haut Medoc
Chateau Fontalem l’Auriolle 2003 Bordeaux Superieur

More Bordeaux!!
Chateau Larkis Jaumat 2003 Saint Emilion
Chateau l’Enclos Haut Mazeyres 2003 Pomerol

And a Wonderful Sauternes!!!
Chateau Castelnau de Suduiraut 2001 Sauternes

A stellar deal at $10 for the First 5, $6 for the Extra 2 Premium Pours, and $5 for the Sauternes!
Hope to see you here!
Seize the Wine!

Next Friday tasting is the Taste of Spain!

M