Bordeaux blend

Bordeaux-Verschnitt
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General term for the typical mixing ratio of defined and approved grape varieties in the French region of Bordeaux . The concept is not entirely clear, because the actual Cuvée each area is different and is based also on the stand of trees in the various châteaux. This means that it is using what is growing on the estate. The main red varieties are Merlot (40% of the total vineyard area of ​​Bordeaux) Cabernet Franc (20%) Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), Carmenère , Malbec and Petit Verdot , the most important white varieties are Sémillon (50% white), Muscadelle and Sauvignon Blanc . The actual mixing ratio is varied by year, so the information only to be understood as an average. This is a collection of factors such as Soil type , Yield , Degree of maturity, Sugar content , The desired taste, with respect to the desired extension Durability so dependent. Especially those varieties that are present only in small amounts, are often omitted.

The final blend is year by year from Maître de chai (Cellar master) often only in the spring after tasting the wines chosen. The young wines have then been the Malolactic fermentation (BSA) behind. It will also decide which tranches in the Grand Vin (Grand Vin) and which in the Second wine . received This as Assemblage or Marriage (marriage) named process is one of the most important activities in the winery and requires a great deal of experience. The grape volume data for each Châteaux wines and are therefore only as a guide to understand and can fluctuate considerably from year to year. In red wines, there is a rough typicality - depending on whether the wine "left" or "right" of the Gironde is generated. At the Rive gauche (Left Bank) is predominant Cabernet Sauvignon (65-70%), followed by Cabernet Franc (15%) and Merlot (15%), as well as small parts Malbec (1-5%) and Petit Verdot (1-5%). An exception is the red wine of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild contains 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and more. At the Left Bank (Right bank) is predominant Merlot (60%), supplemented by Cabernet Franc (30%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%). The outlier is the famous Château Pétrus , Is where almost unmixed pressed from Merlot.

For white wines, such as in the areas of Entre-Deux-Mers and Sauternes is the classic recipe for the sweet wines Sémillon (75-80%), Sauvignon Blanc (20%) and Muscadelle (5%). In dry white wines developed, there is no universal formula, pure but there are usually only of Sauvignon Blanc. The varieties used in France to be as generally a Bordeaux-label is not always mentioned. An exception is actually only the Alsace . Under French basic understanding are not the varieties or the blending ratio of the specific character of a wine (alone) is responsible, but primarily the typical Terroir an area. It also draws from the fact Bordeaux wines and gives them a unique style. Typical of Bordeaux wines is the Barrique . Along with the typical grape varieties mixing, this gives the "Bordeaux-style", which is particularly imitated overseas. See also Cuvée .