Bordeaux - the KISS formula

[Serge Birbrair]

http://www.supermarketguru.com/page.cfm/4452

No 2 PHD's required.

7 names to remember to know what's in the bottle without the varaietal been printed.

Merlot predominant:
Right Bank: Pomerol (Where Petrus is made) and St.-Emilion.

Cabernet Savignion predominant:
Left Bank: You have the Medoc, Haut-Medoc, and Graves regions which are broken down into a number of lesser regions. But you only have to remember five, because you'll hear about them every day in the wine world. They are: Margaux, Pauillac, St.-Estephe, and St.-Julien, and Graves.



Remember those 7 and you are an "expert"

[Serge Birbrair]

is a nice map of Bordeaux showing all wine growing areas.

[Mike M]

Guys, thanks so much for the help and education. That's exactly one of the things I was hoping to get out of this forum. I have stayed away from French wines for a few reasons, one being the intimidation factor, another the unfamiliarity, another being worried about making a bad choice (bad concern, I know), another that from the few French wines I had tasted, they were not to my liking at the time and therefore the faulty conclusion that French wines in general were overrated, etc etc I do have a few of the Guigal wines at home and have enjoyed them, but to take that step further afield was a big deal. Way too many choices....

Yes, I do enjoy the big Aussie Barossa style, but let's face it, those reds don't always compliment lighter foods. What about French Pinots? Some of the Pinots from OR and CA are really nice, and even the Kiwis are coming on, so any more guidance on the French side of the equation would be appreciated.

[Serge Birbrair]

Mike M,
I didn't have much luck with French PN's,
out of 10! bottles tasted, only one was truly GREAT and one we just couldn't finish,
it was like drinking concentrated acid.

Oregon and CA PN's are easier to find approachable now, and one takes less chances with them.

If you want me to throw a few names, I can do that,
just keep in mind I am a newb as your are with French and my experience is very limited.

[Mike M]

OK Serge, don't worry about the French PN's. We've got plenty of New World versions that sound like they're better and likely more readily available.