
Bordeaux White Blends
Learn about Bordeaux White Blends — taste profile, popular regions and more …
Sometimes light and crisp, other times rich and creamy, Bordeaux White Blends typically consist of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Often, a small amount of Muscadelle or Sauvignon Gris is included for added intrigue. This blend was popularized in the Bordeaux region of France (where it also comprises outstanding sweet wines like Sauternes and Barsac), but is often mimicked throughout the New World, particularly in California, Washington and Australia.
Tasting Notes for Bordeaux White Blends
Bordeaux White Blends are dry white wines. Sémillon provides the background to this blend, with a relatively full body and an oily texture. Sauvignon Blanc adds acidity and lots of bright fruit flavor, particularly white grapefruit, lime and freshly cut grass. Used in smaller proportions, Muscadelle can contribute fresh floral notes, while Sauvignon Gris is less aromatic but offers ripe, juicy fruit on the palate. These wines run the gamut from unoaked, refreshing, and easy to drink to serious, complex and barrel-aged. The latter style, usually with a higher percentage of Sémillon, can develop aromas of ginger, chamomile and dried orange peel. The dessert wines produced by these blends, often with the help of "noble rot" called botrytis, can have lush stone fruit and honey characteristics.
Perfect Food Pairings for Bordeaux White Blends
Crisp, dry Bordeaux White Blends are the perfect accompaniment for raw or lightly cooked seafood, especially shellfish. A more structured, Sémillon-based bottling can stand up to richer fish, chicken, or pork dishes in white sauces. These blends also work well with a variety of vegetables and fresh herbs, like asparagus, peas, basil and tarragon. Sweet dessert wines are traditionally enjoyed with strong blue cheeses, foie gras or fruit-based desserts.
Sommelier Secrets for Bordeaux White Blends
Sauternes and Barsac are usually reserved for dessert, but astute sommeliers know that they can be served at any time—before, during or after the meal. Try these sweet wines as an aperitif with jamón ibérico, oysters with a spicy mignonette or during dinner alongside hearty Alsatian sausage, poached lobster in beurre blanc sauce or even fried chicken.
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- Sauvignon Blanc1110
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Chateau La Louviere Blanc 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere Blanc 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Brown Blanc 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
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Plantagenet Hazard Hill Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Australia
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Chateau de Sours Bordeaux Blanc 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Margaux Pavillon Blanc 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Chateau de Fieuzal Blanc 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
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Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
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Leeuwin Estate Siblings Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
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Chateau Timberlay Blanc 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Buty Semillon Sauvignon Muscadelle 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Michel Lynch Sauvignon Blanc 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Mouton Cadet Blanc 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Bonnet Blanc 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Entre-Deux-Mers, Bordeaux, France
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Domaines Barons de Rothschild Reserve Speciale Bordeaux Blanc 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Chateau de Chantegrive Caroline Blanc 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Graves, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau de Sours La Fleur d'Amelie Blanc 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Clarendelle Inspired by Haut-Brion Blanc 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
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Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
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Chateau Guiraud Le G 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
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St. Supery Virtu 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Napa Valley, California
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Cadaretta Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon (SBS) 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Antinori Castello della Sala Conte Della Vipera 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Umbria, Italy
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L'Ecole 41 Luminesce Seven Hills Vineyard 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Chateau LaTour-Martillac Blanc 2011Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
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