French vs American

[robr]

Hi,

I'm just learning about wines. I am curious about the differences between French and American wines, specifically reds from Bordeaux vs Napa, Sonoma etc. If I am paying between $10 and $30 a bottle, am I probably going to taste a significant difference in that price range?

Rob

[wineguruchgo]

Hi Robr,

Welcome to the wineboard!

You will find the same grapes grown in both regions. The difference will be in the style of the wines.

Bordeaux wines are always blended. You will not see a Cabernet coming from Bordeaux it will be blended with Merlot, Cab Franc and possibly some Petit Verdot and Malbec in it as well.

Stylistically the Bordeaux will be earthier than the wines from California and if you look at the price of a decent Bordeaux and a California Meritage (same grapes as Bordeaux) you will see a price difference. The California wine will be higher.

About the price difference between a $10 and $30 bottle - that depends on your palate. I can tell the difference, but someone like my brother can't. The only way to know is to experiment.

Hope that helps! You will find recommendations on wines from Bordeaux on the first page of this board.

[robr]

Thanks very much for that. I have two Bordeaux wines I have yet to open, one is a Medoc, Chateau Les Grands Chenes, Cru Bourgeois, 1999; the other is from Cotes de Castillon, Chateau d'Aiguilhe, 2002. Can you tell me anything about either of these?

Rob in Orlando

[wineguruchgo]

The Medoc wine, produced on the left or west bank, will be predominately Cabernet.

The Castillon wine, produced on the right or east bank, will be predominately Merlot.

Again, both are blends and will go really well with grilled meats.