The Timeless Elegance of Bordeaux: A Holiday Wine Guide
As the holiday season comes upon us, it may be time to consider wine pairings for our holiday meals. In the colder months, heavier foods call for robust red wines, and one of our vintage guides has a few recommendations. The wines described below are all from the Bordeaux region of France, and while they’re recommended for wild game, they would suit any red meat perfectly. As the world's most popular wine region, Bordeaux produces an astounding 75 million cases of wine each year. This equates to approximately 20 bottles sold globally every second.
The wines are elite, and their descriptions are also enjoyable to read:
Chambertin is a lighter kind of Volnay and the vin velouté par excellence of the Côte d'Or. It was a great favourite with Napoleon I. To considerable body it unites a fine flavour and a suave bouquet of great finesse, and does not become thin with age like other Burgundies.
As for the Clos de Vougeot, its characteristics are a rich ruby colour, velvety softness, a delicate bouquet, which has a slight suggestion of the raspberry. It is a strong wine, less refined in flavour than the Chambertin, and with a suggestion of bitterness. It was so much admired by a certain military commander that while marching his regiment to the Rhine he commanded his men to halt before the vineyard and salute it. They presented arms in its honour.
Château Lafitte, renowned for its magnificent colour, exquisite softness, delicate flavour, and fragrant bouquet, recalling almonds and violets, is one of the wines of the Gironde, and is supposed of late to have deteriorated in quality; but it is quite good enough to command a high price and the attention of connoisseurs.
Château La Tour, a grand Médoc claret, derives its name from an existing ancient, massive, round tower, which the English assailed and defended by turns during the wars in Guienne. It has a pronounced flavour, and a powerful bouquet, common to all wines of the Gironde. It reminds one of the odour of almonds, and of Noyau cordials.
This guide provides a brief overview of the four wines: Chambertin, Clos de Vougeot, Château Lafitte, and Château La Tour.
- Chambertin (sham-ber-tan) is praised for its light body, fine flavor, and elegant bouquet. It is considered a superior wine that ages gracefully without becoming thin. It is sold today primarily by Louis Jadot.
- Clos de Vougeot (clo-duh-voojoh) is a strong wine with a rich color, velvety texture, and a delicate raspberry note. It is less refined than Chambertin but still highly regarded.
- Château Lafitte (sha-toh-la-feet), today sold as Château Lafite Rothschild, is known for its beautiful color, soft texture, delicate flavor, and fragrant bouquet of almonds and violets. While the author notes its quality had reportedly declined by the time of his writing, it remains a sought-after wine among connoisseurs even today.
- Château La Tour (sha-toh-la-toor) is another Bordeaux wine with a powerful bouquet and a flavor reminiscent of almonds and Noyau cordials. It is associated with a historic tower that played a role in the Anglo-French wars. You can find it today as Château Latour.
These wines, however, are not only elite in quality, but in price. We’d like to also recommend some similar wines, at a more reasonable price point. If you’re looking to stick with Bordeaux wines, Château Gruaud Larose St. Julien, Château Fayat Pomerol, or La Dame de Montrose are fine wines with excellent ratings. California delivers a beautiful Cabernet in Beau Vigne Cabernet Juliet Napa, and an elegant Pinot Noir in Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.
These descriptions come from The Art of Entertaining, published in 1892.