Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink

The beautiful Bordeaux blend

Matt Domino
By

Bordeaux blend
As many of you know, the world of wine is complex and can be difficult to navigate. You often find yourself asking a lot of questions. What differentiates a wine from Italy and France? What flavors should I look for in a white? What type of red wine is the best one for me?

That’s why we at The Manual like to take some time to simplify the wine world for you. Today we’ll be talking about Bordeaux and how you can find one of France’s most famous wines elsewhere in the world.

Related Videos

The history of Bordeaux wine is extensive, but basically all you have to know is that Bordeaux is perhaps the most popular and well-loved wine in the world. That comes mainly from the fact that the Bordeaux region of France is ideal for growing grapes. Between the calcium-rich soil and the Gulf Stream warmed air, grape vines flourish in the area.

Bordeaux is actually composed of a blend of a few different grape varietals. The main components are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. But you will also find Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Bordeaux is broken up into Left Bank and Right Bank wines, which refers to which side of the Gironde estuary (which cuts through the region) the wine was made on. Left Bank wines have more Cabernet Sauvignon, while Right Bank wines are dominated by Merlot. As long as a wine is made of a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (and preferably one or two more of the grape varietals) it can be considered to be a “Bordeaux Blend.”

Related: Wines for Columbus Day

A wine like South Africa’s 2012 Mulderbosch Faithful Hound is one such Bordeaux Blend. It is made of 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Cabernet Franc, 21% Merlot, 13% Malbec and 10% Petit Verdot. This is an immensely satisfying wine upon the first sip—in fact, you may even be tempted to take a healthy tipple. Wines are usually described as having notes of various berries, but you can really taste a balanced fruit flavor to the Faithful Hound. There are definitely aspects of black cherry and even a bit of raspberry. It’s nothing too sweet, though. This is a wine that is meant to be quaffed and should be on hand at your next party.

The 2010 Avignonesi Desiderio is from Italy, so it is more in line with the “Old World” wine tradition of France. The Avignonesi would definitely be considered a Right Bank wine—it is made of an 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon blend. There is a stronger, certainly more alcoholic taste to the Avignonesi. It is, for a lack of a better word, a rich tasting wine. Aged in French oak barrels, the finish is smooth with just a bit of spice at the very end. The bottle’s label features a black and white illustration of a cow, which tells you all you need to know—this is a wine that would go great with steak or any other red meat.

There you have it: just a bit of wine education from your friends here at The Manual. You know have the knowledge of Bordeaux to show off at your next dinner party, on your next date or just at your local wine store when you want to prove that the guy behind the counter isn’t so smart.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
This is the major change coming to Toblerone chocolate
Stripped of its "Swissness," Toblerone is getting a new look
toblerone chocolates new packaging

Toblerone, the nougaty, triangular chocolate bar we all know and love, will be getting a modern makeover later this year. US owner of the popular candy bar company, Mondelez International, has decided to relocate some of Toblerone's production a few countries over to Slovakia, stripping the chocolate of its "Swissness."
Under Swiss law, established in 2017, a product that's advertised with marks such as the Swiss flag, any references to Swiss cities, or, in the case of Toblerone, the Matterhorn mountain, must meet very strict origin criteria. The Swiss powers that be established this law to protect the prestige and reputation of genuine, high-quality Swiss-made products, including, of course, its chocolate.

While much of Toblerone's production will remain in Switzerland — even amping up by the end of the year — the strict laws dictate that it can't be considered a Swiss product anymore unless manufactured there exclusively.
Because the candy will now be partially produced elsewhere, it will no longer be allowed to advertise with any "Swissness," including the iconic Matterhorn logo. The label will also shift from reading “Swiss chocolate” to “Established in Switzerland in 1908” instead.
Reportedly, the hidden bear in the current mountainscape design will remain, but no word yet as to how prevalent it will be.
In a statement reported by CNBC, Mondelez International says that the Toblerone new logo will have a “modernized and streamlined mountain logo that is consistent with the geometric and triangular aesthetic.”
We think we speak for most when we say we couldn't care less what the box looks like. Just make sure it tastes the same.

Read more
The 7 best CBD-infused drinks we tried in 2023
These tasty CBD-infused drinks will have you feeling calmer in no time
Cans o RisEau cbd drinks.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, has been hot for a while now, making its way into everything from CBD teas to a variety of CBD coffee brands. If you're wondering "what is CBD?" — it's a naturally occurring compound present in cannabis plants. According to the World Health Organization, it's not addictive, has a solid safety profile, and won't get you high. In clinical trials, it's been effective in the treatment of epilepsy and shows promise in treating a number of other conditions.

In addition to CBD-infused water, tea, soda, and seltzer, another growing trend is CBD-infused nonalcoholic spirits and cocktails. The adult beverage market is flooded with CBD products promising to help you relax, sleep, destress, and mellow out, all without the hangover you'd get from booze (CBD is considered a controlled substance and can't be legally added to booze, at least not yet). We've rounded up a few of our favorite CBD-infused drinks below, from CBD cocktails to CBD water, so you can work your relaxation into your daily routine no matter where you are.

Read more
Here’s how to make a margarita, according to top bartenders
The only margarita recipes you'll ever need
margarita tequila cocktail lime strainer

The best margaritas do not grow on trees, nor do they show up in a can (although there are some tasty canned drinks these days). No, the tastiest version of the tequila classic is made fresh, with love and care and some wisdom from a couple of top bartenders.

It's a balancing act, for sure, but when it's dialed-in, the margarita is one of the best and most refreshing cocktails ever devised. The classic mix of agave spirit, lime, salt, and a touch of sweetness is great alone or with any number of dishes, especially within Mexican cuisine (the nation where the drink was born).

Read more