The vast majority of Bordeaux wine is red, with red Bordeaux wine production out numbering white Bordeaux wine production six to one. Red Bordeaux wine, which is traditionally known as Claret in the United Kingdom, is generally made from a blend of grapes. Only a few producers make single-variety wines.
Red Bordeaux wines - Graves and Medoc
The Graves and Médoc Bordeaux wine areas are situated to the north and south of the city of Bordeaux, along the left bank of the river Gironde. The Graves and Medoc wines areas are regarded as classic Bordeaux vineyards. Graves and Medoc red wines are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, with a significant portion of Merlot. These wines are concentrated, tannic, long-lived and most of them meant to be cellared before drinking. The five First Growths are situated here.Red Bordeaux wines - Saint Emilion and Pomerol
In the Saint Emilion and Pomerol wine areas along the right bank of the river Gironde, the wines are typical blended from 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc & 15% Merlot grapes. This is typically referred to as the "Bordeaux Blend". These Bordeaux wines often have great fruit concentration, softer tannins and age well (7-10 years).
Bordeaux red wine production
Most serious Bordeaux red wines undergo barrel-ageing. Usually wines spend six months in the barrel, but some prestigious chateaux barrel-age for as much as 18–20 months. Only recently, the addition of oak chips (to add an oaky flavor to the wine) has been legalized in Bordeaux red wine production. Once the Bordeaux wine producer decides the wine has been aged for the right amount of time the selection begins. The winemaker searches for the right blend of wine for the vintage. This vintage is then released as the 'châteaux grand vin'. The wine which is left over from the blending is usually released as a 'second-wine'. While in theory, this is inferior wine, some châteaux second-wine is of superior quality to other chateaux grand vin and often fetches a higher price.
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