What wine is most similar to Bordeaux?

Bordeaux is known to be an expensive wine region. While that’s not entirely true, meaning, there are a lot of inexpensive wines, I would understand that you may want to look for Bordeaux-like wines outside of Bordeaux.

Moreover, French wine might not be available in your country or with cosmic prices…

But to be sure that we’re talking about the same thing, lets define Bordeaux wine very quickly (you’ll find more thorough information in other posts)

What kind of wine is Bordeaux?

Red wines are a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot mostly. The other grape varieties (such as Malbec, Petit Verdot or Carmenère are usually in small quantities so they don’t influence much).

The Right Bank will have Merlot-dominated blends whereas the Left Bank will have Cabernet-dominated blends.

Both Banks have full-bodied wine with high acidity (although acidity is higher on the Left Bank).

Concerning the taste, young wines from the Left Bank, Cabernet-dominated wines, will present aromas of cassis, blackberry, black cherry, liquorice, vanilla, coffee bean, spices… When aging, these aromas will become tobacco leaf, truffle, cigar, leather, spices, wet soil…

Young wines from the Right Bank, Merlot-dominated wines, will present aromas of plum, black cherry, blueberry, liquorice, chocolate, smoke, spice… When aging, these aromas will become truffle, flowers, spice..

What wine is most similar to Bordeaux in France?

Well, the obvious answer is Bordeaux of course! But let’s answer the question correctly and look outside of Bordeaux.

We are looking for a full-bodied wine with high tannins and acidity and red and black fruit aromas, with herbaceous and spicy notes.

In the red full-body department, a red wine from southern Côte du Rhône could be a good alternative. Grenache is predominant in most wines of the southern Côtes du Rhône. The hot summers allow it to reach full maturity, in order to produce wines with concentrated flavors of red fruits and spices.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are largely represented in IGP Languedoc wines.

Last, Bandol produces high-end reds from Mourvèdre, which feature powerful tannins and need to age to reveal the full range of their aromas of forest fruit, meat and spices.

What wine is most similar to Bordeaux in Europe?

Although Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends can be found throughout Europe, the most similar to Bordeaux’s style will be the “super-toscans”. They are unfortunately sold very expensive which doesn’t really make them relevant seeing as many Bordeaux wines are inexpensive.

If you wish however to have an example, according to spiritedsingapore, such blends, such as the Bindi Sergardi Simbiosi Rosso Toscana, and the Tenute Rossetti Linda Bolgheri DOC. are available from Wine List Asia and Ferrari Food + Wine respectively.

Where can you find other Merlot and Cabernet blends like in Bordeaux in the New World?

Bordeaux has largely influenced the New World in terms of wine. Many countries make Cabernet and Merlot wines because Bordeaux proved it could work.

• California

For example, you can find Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends in Sonoma (AVA Dry Creek Valley or AVA Alexander Valley) or in the Napa Valley such as Oakville and Rutherford.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely grown red grape variety in California. The most favorable sites can produce extremely expressive wines capable of competing with the best in the world. Many are full-bodied, with highly concentrated flavors of ripe blackcurrant and pronounced spice aromas due to new oak barrels. Merlot is also very cultivated, and generally produces wines that are easy to drink, with round tannins and ripe black fruit flavors.

In the Napa Valley, heading north, the climate becomes warm enough to allow the maturation of Cabernet Sauvignon, which gives rise to excellent wines in the AVA Stags Leap District, Yountville, Oakville and Rutherford.

ANECDOTE : The GI system of the United States is based on the AVAs (American Viticultural Area) whose size is very variable. The minimum percentage of grapes of the same grape variety, vintage, or AVA required for these claims to appear on the label is specified by federal regulations, but many states also have their own legislation, which sometimes differs from federal limits.

According to spiritedsingapore, a fabulous example here would be the Trinchero Napa Valley Forte, a proprietary Bordeaux-style blend by one of Napa’s most iconic family producers

But you can find others on the California Wine Club

• Chile

There, Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widespread grape variety. It produces wines of very diverse styles, from simple and fruity to full-bodied and high-end. These present aromas and flavors of very ripe black fruits, often accompanied by a vegetable note. It is often blended with Merlot, Carmenère and Syrah, in Maipo Valley and Colchagua notably.

According to spiritedsingapore, an example of such a blend would be Neyen Espiritu de Apalta is available from Malt & Wine Asia

• South Africa

In South Africa, Stellenbosh does a lot of Cabernets and Merlot blends. Moreover, just like Bordeaux, they enhance the terroir effect.

Indeed, in order to reflect the diversity of its terroirs (altitude, exposure and soil), the district is divided into wards. In recent years, Stellenbosch has forged a fine reputation for its high-end red wines, especially its Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots (often vinified in the Bordeaux style).

According to spiritedsingapore, you can find the Kendal Lodge Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc at Marks&Spencer;. If you enjoy Right Bank Bordeaux, such as Pomerol, you will also enjoy Shannon Vineyards Mount Bullet, which you can find on Wine to Share.

• Australia

In Australia, you can find such blends in wines from Margaret River (Cabernet Sauvignon is widely cultivated, and often blended with Merlot as in Bordeaux. Many different styles are elaborate, ranging from elegant and discreet wines to fruity and powerful.) or Coonawarra. There, Cabernet Sauvignon, preponderant, is at the origin of concentrated and structured wines with characteristic aromas of blackcurrant and eucalyptus or mint. The best ones age very well.

According to spiritedsingapore, an excellent example would be the Woodlands Wilyabrup Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot (it also sees a touch of Cabernet Franc), whose intensely complex flavours would give you a solid idea of what the terroir of Margaret River can offer in a Bordeaux-style wine

• New Zealand

In New Zealand, you will find the Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blends in Hawke’s Bay.

Merlot comes second for red grape varieties (after Pinot Noir). Cabernet Sauvignon is often used in blends, generally in the Bordeaux style, to which it gives its tannins and notes of blackcurrant.

Hawke’s Bay is the second warmest and sunniest region in the country. It is characterized by a great diversity of soils, exposures and altitudes that influences wine styles. In particular, the Gimblett Gravels plot, consisting of well-drained, heat-absorbing gravel at the bottom of the valley, is very renowned for its red wines, blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style.

According to spiritedsingapore, an example here would be the Babich The Patriarch, the flagship wine from one of New Zealand’s oldest winemaking families. The grapes that go into the wine are grown at their Gimblett Gravels ‘Irongate’ vineyard, and this elegant wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec pays homage to Bordeaux.

What about the whites?

We didn’t talk about the white wines. But concerning the sweet wines, you could compare it with the BA or TBA from Germany or Austria.

Concerning the dry white wines, an equivalent could be a Sancerre or a Gemischter Satz from Austria, Bordeaux wines having more body.

Conclusion: What wine is most similar to Bordeaux?

All in all, Bordeaux having largely influenced the new world with its Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blends, you can find equivalents everywhere you go!

In California, you can find equivalents in Sonoma or Napa Valley. In Chile, you should look for wines from Maipo Valley or Colchagua. In South Africa, you can find such blends in Stellenbosch. In Australia, I would recommend Coonawarra and Margaret’s river. In New Zealand, Hawke’s Bay is the place to go!

So where can you find them if you’re not scarring the Earth? Well, in this post, you’ll find a link to the California wine Club but my favourite is SomMailier. Click on the link to check my full review!