The dry white wine of Bordeaux
August 30, 2011
About Wines from Bordeaux
Best wine supplier in Philippines discusses wine related topics
The Dry White Wines of Bordeaux
The dry white wines of Bordeaux offer a range of tasty tipples ranging from light and refreshing sippers to serious, full-bodied and ageworthy blockbusters.
Bordeaux is most famous for its big, expensive red wines from such prestigious appellations as Margaux, Pauillac, St-Emilion, to name a few, and to a lesser extend, for its sweet wines from Sauternes and Barsac, but its dry white wines have been increasingly gaining praise from the critics.
The white wines of Bordeaux have had a rather sketchy history as being wines of questionable quality. Oftentimes these wines were flabby and oxidized with an unnecessary amount of added sulphur (probably because the winemakers were more used to making sweet wines which require more sulphur.) In recent years, things have started to change and a range of different styles of dry white wines of improving quality are now being made. The wines can be refreshing, unoaked wines dominated by Sauvignon Blanc and/or Semillon, or full-bodied, barrel-aged, and ageworthy single varietals or blend of two or more grape varieties.
Grape Varieties
Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon make up most dry white Bordeaux. Muscadelle and Sauvignon Gris are two less important varieties that are less likely seen, but may be added to the blend.
Sauvignon Blanc: This grape – often better known from such wine regions as Sancerre in France’s Loire Valley and Marlborough in New Zealand – is also planted in Bordeaux. It is a very versatile grape that can produce light, racy, unoaked whites and more structured and complex oak-aged versions. Sauvignon Blanc is often criticized as being simple and unable to age, however, some excellent ageworthy examples are crafted from such producers as Smith-Haut-Lafitte (approximately $109 in Ontario). You may see some wines made with Sauvignon Blanc grapes referring to the grape on the label, such as the crisp and nettly Dourthe La Grande Cuvee Sauvignon Blanc ($15.95 in Ontario).
Semillon: This is the most planted white grape in the Bordeaux region. Semillon has a naturally thin skin which makes it an easy target for Noble Rot (Botrytis cinerea infection), necessary for making the sumptuous sweet wines of Bordeaux. Some rich, full-bodied dry wines with tropical fruit and honey aromas are also made with Semillon. Chateau Roquetaillade La Grange ($14.95 in Ontario) is mostly Semillon with a bit of Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle blended in. Semillon is often blended with the leaner, more acidic Sauvignon Blanc to balance its plumpness.
Muscadelle: Similar to the Muscat grape, although not directly related, Muscadelle has a perfumed aroma that has many admirers. Very rarely is this grape made into a single varietal wine and almost never makes up more than 15% of any vineyard. Muscadelle is a difficult grape to grow so many growers won’t bother with it. It is sometimes seen as a minor component in dry and sweet white blends.
Sauvignon Gris: This offshoot of the Sauvignon Blanc grape has developed a following in the Graves region of Bordeaux where some estates, such as Chateaux Monbousquet ($105 in Ontario), Pape-Clement ($269 in Ontario), Rahoul, and even the famous Pessac-Leognan estate Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte, have adopted it. Sauvignon Gris has a pinkish-coloured skin and instead of the citrus and grassy aromas and flavours of Sauvignon Blanc, it has a rounder, more floral character.
Principal Dry White Bordeaux Appellations
Bordeaux AOP: Many of the dry white wines of Bordeaux are classified simply as Bordeaux AOC (changed recently to AOP). In fact, 60% of all dry white wine produced in Bordeaux uses this appellation. Many styles of dry whites are classified with this appellation, from fresh, crisp, and fruity wines for early consumption to more full-bodied, barrel-aged examples. Many Bordeaux AOP wines can be purchased at quite reasonable prices. A couple of good examples are Chateau d’Argadens Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, $16.95 in Ontario), and Mouton Cadet Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc, $13.95 in Ontario).
Entre-Deux-Mers AOP: After Bordeaux AOP, this is the largest dry white wine appellation in Bordeaux. Wines sold as Entre-Deux-Mers must be dry whites and are mainly made with Sauvignon Blanc together with Semillon and Muscadelle. Most of these wines are light and easy-drinking and should be consumed as young as possible. Many Entre-Deux-Mers whites can be considered ‘cheap and cheerful’ wines – tasty, but not too complex. Andre Lurton’s Chateau Bonnet White ($13.95 in Ontario) is a tasty example.
Graves AOP: Graves is Bordeaux’s only region that is famous for both its red and white wines. It is in this region that more serious, barrel-aged, sometimes barrel fermented dry whites can be found. Most are a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Look for Chateau Haut Selve for a nicely oaked version of Semillon ($21.95 in Ontario).
Pessac-Leognan AOP: This appellation is also for both red and white wines and was established in 1987 for what is considered to be the best vineyards of the larger Graves region. It is still often referred to as Graves. Famous chateaux include Haut-Brion, La Mission-Haut-Brion, Pape-Clement, and Marlartic-Lagraviere. The white wines from this region can be included among the most complex white wines in the world. Sauvignon Blanc must make up at least 25% of the blend usually with Semillon. These wines will, for the most part, be barrel-fermented and barrel-aged, and some of the best can be successfully cellared for decades. Chateau de Rochemorin Blanc (also by Andre Lurton) is a Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend, aged in oak, that will keep well for up to 5 years ($24.95 in Ontario).
Choosing a Dry White Bordeaux
It is very difficult to determine the style of wine in the bottle as there is usually no indication on the label. The price may give some indication as the less expensive wines are more likely to be the light and refreshing versions, and less likely to be barrel-aged. Ageing wine in barrels usually drives the price up a bit due to the high cost of purchasing the barrels. The more expensive wines will typically be fuller-bodied, more complex, and are more likely to be barrel-aged.
Source: http://www.suite101.com/content/the-dry-white-wines-of-bordeaux-a270090
Philippines Pampanga Best Restaurant opens Wine Bar and Lounge in Clark Philippines, attracting wine lovers and tourist in Angeles City and Subic looking for good nightlife spot near Manila.
Food and wine lovers in Manila laud Yats Restaurant as the best restaurant in Angeles City Pampanga, a special restaurant that offers guests a real treat every time they wine and dine in this top rated restaurant in Clark Philippines which is surprisingly child friendly also. Families frequently bring their children to enjoy a family dinner at the best restaurant in Angeles City Pampanga, a weekly treat for family bonding and some relaxation also. Tourists and business executives visit the best restaurant in Clark Pampanga after a game of golf or a long day at the office to relax and unwind, drink and eat with friends and business associates.
Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.
A Well-known Restaurant in Pampnga, an interesting place to celebrate Birthday Party in Pampnga.
A best place to dine with friends in Pampanga
Looking for a party venue in town?
Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the ideal venues for birthday party because it is a risk free venue. Not only Birthday Parties but also a good place to enjoy family reunion. A good place to celebrate special occasions. Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the resorts in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga or near Manila with activity amenities, place that are nice for celebration.
Best Restaurant in Angeles City Pampanga unveils special dinner menus featuring regional cuisines in France, Italy and USA, all designed to pair very well with fine vintage wines, a real treat for food and wine lovers traveling out of town from Manila to the North to visit Subic, Tarlac, Clark Pampanga Philippines
Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.
The Magnum Room Wine Lounge and Wine Bar offers business executives as well as tourist and frequent visitors to Clark Pampanga the best place to drink, relax and unwind outside of Manila. Located near Angeles City, Pampanga, Subic and Clark Philippines, this elegant lounge of Yats Restaurant in Mimosa Clark offers all sorts of after dinner drinks such as port wine, Sauternes, Barsac, Ice Wine and other sweet dessert wines, Armagnac, Cognac, Single Malt, Luxury Vodka and other interesting liquor and spirits. Smokers particular enjoy the selection of Cuban cigars available in this top rated wine bar in Clark. The Magnum Room is one the top rated bar and lounge in Manila, Pampanga, Angeles City, Subic and Clark Philippines.
For comments, inquiries and reservations click on Click here for inquiry and reservations
Restaurant@Yats-International.com
(045) 599-5600
0922-870-5178
0917-520-4401
Ask for Pedro and Rechel
Getting to this fine dining restaurant of Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga Philippines
How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Philippines? Once you get to Clark Freeport, go straight until you hit Mimosa. After you enter Mimosa, stay on the left on Mimosa Drive, go past the Holiday Inn and Yats Restaurant (green top, independent 1-storey structure) is on your left. Just past the Yats Restaurant is the London Pub.
Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar
Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,
Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines 2023
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay
For any assistance in planning and organizing a wedding ceremony, indoor or outdoor garden reception or to find other wedding service providers, Click here to contact us click here
For assistance in hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines, log on to
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
To buy wine in Manila, Pampanga, Angeles City, Clark or Subic please log on to http://www. ClarkWineCenter.com
To inquire with the highly recommended beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com
For more information about Clark, Pampanga, Philippines log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com
