Bordeaux is a name synonymous with some of the world&#39;s most prestigious red wines, but its white wines, particularly Bordeaux Blanc, often fly under the radar. While the reds of this region have garnered international fame, Bordeaux Blanc wines, crafted primarily from Sauvignon Blanc, S&eacute;millon, and Muscadelle grapes, are some of the wine world&#39;s best-kept secrets. These wines offer an elegant balance of freshness, complexity, and aging potential that can rival the finest whites from anywhere in the world.

Why Bordeaux Blanc Often Stays Under the Radar

Several factors contribute to Bordeaux Blanc&rsquo;s relatively low profile:

1. Focus on Red Wines: Bordeaux&rsquo;s reputation has been built on its red wines. The dominance of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in the region overshadows the white varieties.

2. Limited Production: Compared to red Bordeaux, the production of Bordeaux Blanc is much smaller, with only a fraction of the vineyards dedicated to white varieties.

3. Consumer Awareness: Many wine consumers are less familiar with Bordeaux Blanc, often gravitating towards better-known white wine regions like Burgundy, Loire, or even New Zealand for Sauvignon Blanc.

4. Market Positioning: Bordeaux Blancs are often positioned as less prestigious or desirable compared to their red counterparts, making them less sought after in international markets.

Despite these factors, Bordeaux Blanc wines are adored by those in the know for their quality and aging potential, offering remarkable value for those willing to explore beyond the more famous Bordeaux reds.

Several ch&acirc;teaux in Bordeaux have built a reputation for producing outstanding white wines. Here are some of the top producers:

1. Ch&acirc;teau Haut-Brion Blanc: One of the most prestigious and rare Bordeaux Blancs, Haut-Brion Blanc, is a highly sought-after wine known for its complexity and ability to age for decades.

2. Ch&acirc;teau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc: Another top-tier producer, known for its rich, full-bodied whites that balance power with finesse.

3. Ch&acirc;teau Smith Haut Lafitte: This estate is renowned for producing vibrant, well-structured whites that showcase the purity of the fruit and the terroir.

4. Ch&acirc;teau Pape Cl&eacute;ment Blanc: Known for its opulent and aromatic style, Pape Cl&eacute;ment Blanc is a wine that offers immediate pleasure but can also reward aging.

5. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Chateau-Carbonnieux-Pessac-Leognan-Blanc-2022-w2815766ib">Ch&acirc;teau Carbonnieux Blanc:</a> A historical estate that produces one of the most reliable and accessible Bordeaux Blancs, offering exceptional value and consistent quality.

Let&rsquo;s deep dive into Ch&acirc;teau Carbonnieux Blanc:

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Chateau-Carbonnieux-Pessac-Leognan-Blanc-2022-w2815766ib">Ch&acirc;teau Carbonnieux</a>, located in the Pessac-L&eacute;ognan appellation, is one of the oldest estates in Bordeaux, with a history dating back to the 13th century. The estate has been under the ownership of the Perrin family since 1956, who have been instrumental in modernizing the vineyard and winery while preserving its rich heritage.

Eric Perrin, a member of the Perrin family, is the current steward of <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Chateau-Carbonnieux-Pessac-Leognan-Blanc-2022-w2815766ib">Ch&acirc;teau Carbonnieux</a>. His winemaking philosophy is rooted in respect for the terroir, with a focus on producing wines that are both expressive of their origin and capable of aging gracefully. The estate employs sustainable viticulture practices, and the winemaking process is a careful balance of tradition and innovation.

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Chateau-Carbonnieux-Pessac-Leognan-Blanc-2022-w2815766ib">Ch&acirc;teau Carbonnieux Blanc</a> is a blend primarily of Sauvignon Blanc and S&eacute;millon, with a small percentage of Muscadelle. The wine is fermented in oak barrels, a process that adds complexity and structure, while still preserving the fresh, vibrant character of the fruit. The wine typically sees around 10-12 months of aging on the lees, which contributes to its creamy texture and depth of flavor.

Tasting Notes:

Appearance: Pale yellow with greenish hues, indicating its freshness and youth.

Nose: Aromas of citrus, green apple, and pear dominate, with underlying notes of white flowers, honey, and a subtle hint of oak.

Palate: Crisp and lively on the palate, with flavors of lemon, lime, and grapefruit complemented by a touch of minerality and a creamy mouthfeel from the lees aging. The finish is long, clean, and slightly nutty, with a lingering impression of freshness.

Wine Spectator: 92 points - &ldquo;A beautifully balanced Bordeaux Blanc, with a bright acidity that cuts through the rich texture, offering flavors of citrus and stone fruit with a refined mineral backbone.&rdquo;

Robert Parker&rsquo;s Wine Advocate: 91 points - &ldquo;The 2020 Carbonnieux Blanc is a textbook example of the appellation, with its vivid fruit, floral notes, and a seamless integration of oak.&rdquo;

James Suckling: 93 points - &ldquo;This is a precise and focused white, with beautiful purity of fruit. The finish is vibrant and zesty, making it an excellent wine for aging.&rdquo;

Potential Food Pairings:

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Chateau-Carbonnieux-Pessac-Leognan-Blanc-2022-w2815766ib">Ch&acirc;teau Carbonnieux Blanc</a> is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of dishes:

Seafood: The wine&#39;s crisp acidity and citrus notes make it a perfect match for oysters, scallops, or a delicate fish like sole or halibut.

Poultry: Roast chicken or turkey with herbs and lemon will complement the wine&#39;s fresh flavors and creamy texture.

Cheese: Aged goat cheese or Comt&eacute; are excellent pairings, as the wine&#39;s acidity balances the richness of the cheese.

Vegetarian: A salad with citrus vinaigrette or a vegetable risotto would pair beautifully, highlighting the wine&#39;s fresh and vibrant character.

Bordeaux Blanc wines like <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Chateau-Carbonnieux-Pessac-Leognan-Blanc-2022-w2815766ib">Ch&acirc;teau Carbonnieux Blanc</a> offer wine enthusiasts an opportunity to explore a different side of Bordeaux. These wines, with their combination of freshness, complexity, and aging potential, deserve more attention. For those looking to expand their palate and discover an underappreciated gem, Bordeaux Blanc is a rewarding choice. Whether you&rsquo;re enjoying a glass with seafood or simply sipping it on a warm evening, these wines showcase the elegance and versatility of Bordeaux&rsquo;s white varieties.

Bordeaux is a name synonymous with some of the world's most prestigious red wines, but its white wines, particularly Bordeaux Blanc, often fly under the radar. While the reds of this region have garnered international fame, Bordeaux Blanc wines, crafted primarily from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle grapes, are some of the wine world's best-kept secrets. These wines offer an elegant balance of freshness, complexity, and aging potential that can rival the finest whites from anywhere in the world.

Bordeaux Blanc: An Underappreciated Gem of the Wine World

Wines from grapes grown in higher altitude areas with cooler climate has become quite the trend recently. This specific growing environment gives intense flavor but elegance and freshness to the final wines. To highlight and champion these conditions more and more winemakers are starting to use alto as a marketing and labelling term to show their grapes were grown in high altitude vineyards.

Decoding the wine label: Alto

Brut is a word often seen on labels for different kinds of sparkling wine. As you may have discovered when drinking these wines, it indicates that the wine is dry, meaning there is no perceived sweetness in the wine. But how about Extra Brut or Dry, what do they mean and are they the same as Brut?

Decoding the wine label: Brut

Semi-sweet Riesling, a type of wine falling out of style. It’s a shame, since these wines are perfect to pair with flavorful cuisines like Asian or Mexican, or simply drink as they come under the summer sun. The higher level of sugar left in the wine also means that the alcoholic fermentation was stopped before finishing, providing a wine with lower alcohol level and therefor easier grabbing a second glass of.

Decoding the wine label: Spätlese

Have you ever heard the word Xinomavro? Most have not. It is however a word on many sommeliers’ lips today, as it happens to be considered the grape variety with the highest quality in Greece, and one that is trending at the moment. The fact that Greece have been making wine for a long time comes as no surprise, but they have never exported an amount to make sure wine lovers around the globe tried it. With the growing wine tourism many have discovered these wines and are serving them in wine bars and restaurants in many countries today.

Decoding the wine label: Xinomavro

Chianti Classico, Valpolicella Classico, Soave Classico… Why do all these Italian wine regions have the Classico addendum and what does it mean? What is the difference for wines labeled as Classico?

Classico is a wine term in Italy seen on a few wine labels and it indicates that the wine’s from the historic center of the region, the heart. Using Chianti and Chianti Classico and their Sangiovese-based red wines as an example, Chianti is a rather large wine district within the Tuscany region. Chianti Classico is located withing Chianti as the central part and the one that originally existed. Back then this smaller region was actually called Chianti, but as the region grew the quality of the wine plummeted and the well-known characteristics of these red wines were watered down. The reputation took a hit and sales diminished. Eventually this led to the creation of Chianti Classico, which would be drawn from the original Chianti borders to recover the typicity of these wines. Today the quality of both Chianti and Chianti Classico have risen a lot due to modern techniques and knowledge about pruning, planting and temperature control in the winery.

Decoding the wine label: Classico

In the rarefied world of fine wine, where bottles can command prices equivalent to luxury cars, authenticity is everything. Laurent Ponsot's gripping memoir "FBI: Fake Bottle Investigation" reads more like a high-stakes thriller than a traditional wine book, chronicling his relentless pursuit of one of the wine world's most infamous counterfeiters, Rudy Kurniawan.

From Burgundy's Vineyards to the FBI's Most Wanted: A Winemaker's Quest for Justice

Chablis – one of the more popular styles of wine today and a region known by many. Most are familiar with the word Chablis and the light, fresh white wine with a touch of minerality it brings. Even though it’s a renowned wine, few knows what it really is.

Decoding the wine label: Chablis

Many grape varieties around the world of wine have names local to the region or country they’re grown in, even though they’re exactly the same. The most famous example would be Syrah in France where the same grape is named Shiraz in Australia. Another variety with two names is Pinot Grigio, or Pinot Gris.

Decoding the wine label: Pinot Grigio

Have you ever seen the term sur lie on a wine label? It’s not a grape and not a wine region, but a winemaking method used to give certain styles of white wine a rounder texture and a more complex flavor profile.

Decoding the wine label: Sur lie

Becco

Alexis Rogers

Becco&nbsp;

RT: Hello and Welcome to Corkrules!

&nbsp;I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Alexis Rogers, Wine Educator and&nbsp; Restaurant Sommelier

Hi Alexis, welcome back to another episode of CorkRules, - a podcast where we help simplify and demystify the wine lists at some of your favorite restaurants. We talk with certified sommeliers and wine professionals who point out interesting bottles, classic food and wine pairings, hidden gems,&nbsp; value wines, or splurge wines that will take your dining experience over the top.

AR: Hi Robert! Thanks for having me back to talk some more Italian wine!

RT:&nbsp; Today we are taking a look at the wine list @ Becco. Located on the famous Restaurant Row in Manhattan, Becco is an Italian restaurant opened in 1993 by Lidia Bastianich and her son Joe. Beyond their prestigious location, Becco is known for 2 things - unlimited pasta service and a $35 a bottle wine list. That&rsquo;s right, every bottle of wine on their list is $35. So let&rsquo;s dive in.

AR: First of all, I can&#39;t get over the unlimited pasta! There are 3 daily pasta preparations served tableside. The variety can make pairing a bit tricky so we look to our wine pairing all-stars - sparkling and rose - so why not both here? Flor is a project of chef Mario Batali and Lidia and Joe themselves. The Flor Sparkling Rose is 90% Glera (the grape used to make Prosecco) and 10% Pinot Nero ( the Italian name for Pinot Noir. Would I classify this as a &ldquo;serious wine&rdquo;? No. But wine doesn&#39;t have to be serious all the time. Sometimes you just want a fun sparkly wine that&rsquo;s going to taste great with your meal. The versatility of this wine is going to make it a great choice for whatever pastas chef William Gallagher throws out at you that day - be it a tomato sauce, a lemon white wine sauce, or a marjoram butter sauce.

RT : Versatility in a wine is definitely useful and who doesn&#39;t love some pink sparkles? This wine list definitely seems to be carefully selected to match the menu here.

AR: It sure does! Let&rsquo;s take a look at the antipasti menu at Becco. It&rsquo;s brimming with salty, savory cheeses and meat, fresh seafood and even homemade meatballs. 3 or 4 of these alone could be a meal! Especially with a bottle of the 2016 Tenuta Ponte Greco di Tufo. Grecco is the grape here and Tufo is one of the villages where it&rsquo;s grown so we get the Greco di Tudo DOCG. Located in S. Italy near the town of Avellino in the Campania region, bottles that carry this label must be from here and have a minimum of 85% Greco. The solid here is call &ldquo;tuff&rdquo; and is composed of compacted ash ejected from volcanic explosions. Tuff gives the wines intense perfume and mineral complexity. Look for varietally common notes of dried apricots, white blossom, green apple, lemon peel and then some honey and toasted nuts developed from 6 years of bottle age. It&rsquo;s a great wine to pair with any of those savory antipasto dishes as the saltiness only increase the perception of fruit in this wine.

RT: There seems to be an endless list of underappreciated Italian white wines. It&rsquo;s not just Pinot Grigio there!

AR: For sure. When most people think of Italian wine, they think of those big bold rustic reds. What they DON&rsquo;T usually think of is slightly sweet, sparkling reds. That&rsquo;s Lambrusco - not rose, but red wine. Lambrusco gets a bad rap here in the States as most people think of the sticky, syrupy bottlings you find on the bottom shelves of grocery stores. But good Lambrusco is not that, trust me. Well-made Lambrusco is characteristically a dry to slightly sweet demi sparkling wine made from about 8 closely related grapes native to Italy. This particular bottle is from producer La Battagliolo and uses the Lambrusco Grasporossa grape. These grapes make the boldest style of Lambrusco and have notes of blackcurrants and blueberries as well as violets, rhubarb and cream. It&rsquo;s not specified on the list, but this producer makes a 15 dosage and a 30 dosage version with the 30 being the sweeter of the 2 so be sure to ask your server which is on offer. Definitely pair this with the Peperoni Ripieni which are beef, pork and veal stuffed peppers in tomato sauce.

RT: You&rsquo;re definitely right about what comes to mind when you hear Lambrusco! I guess I haven&#39;t had a well-made one yet. I have to get on that! Making my way through this $35 bottle list is probably a great place to start! Alexis, thank you for being our guide through yet another all-Italian wine list. To our audience, Thank you all for joining us here on Corkrules.

If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to:

Info@corkrules.com or visit our web website where we have a request form available and we will do our best to get it in the queue as quickly as possible.

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime,

please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists or wherever you get your podcasts.

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

END

BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

Gap Weekend: A Film Shoot in Wine Country

Alba Restaurant

Alba

10 Greek Street

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Andrew Edmunds

Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar

Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

Bodega Numanthia is a premium wine producer located in the Toro region of Spain. Their wines are made from Tinta de Toro, a local clone of Tempranillo, and are known for their power, depth, and complexity.

Stylish, light-drenched destination that serves an omakase-style menu of Japanese & Korean dishes.

Delfina Restaurant

Delfina

AFICI

Afici

Ancora

Muller & Lux

The Morris

Spruce

Chez Panisse

Bar Sprezzatura

Sprezzatura

Rich Table

The Progress

homepage

CorkRules application allows you to discover wines at your favorite restaurants, learn with friends and be confident with price transparency. Order wine with confidence at restaurants and retailers. Get personalized recommendations. #DrinkWhatYouLove

Sushi Shio

Available Wines
Total Wines - 4

Lombard & Cie

Extra Brut NV

Champagne Blend

Champagne, France

Cattier, Rose Brut Premier Cru NV

Champagne, France

Lombard & Cie

Brut Rose Premier Cru NV

Champagne, France

Champagne Lombard

Extra Brut Champagne Premier Cru NV

Blend

Champagne, France