Wines for the Festive season

Discover sparkling crémants and red wines from Bordeaux ! 

Our refreshing Crémants are an excellent aperitif, and our well-balanced reds make a perfect pairing to the festive dishes!



Red Bordeaux Wines

Bordeaux red wines are made from dark-skinned grapes but the juice within is white  (next time you have a black grape try squeezing it and see!). So the wines obtain their red colouring and tannins by extracting the latter from the skin and soaking the skins in the juice during maceration. This process of maceration provides the wine with its aroma and tannic structure.

Bordeaux reds are divided into 2 main categories – supple & fruity and then powerful & intense. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon are the main red grape varieties in Bordeaux, but the last 20 years have seen the growth of Petit Verdot, Carménère and Malbec. This greater diversity of grape varieties offers new possibilities to winegrowers: it multiplies the options available for new blends.
Another striking fact – while Bordeaux is known for its art of blending,  in recent years a wave of unexpected red cuvées is sweeping through Bordeaux and captivating wine enthusiasts young and old. Easy-drinking, diverse and exceptional value, these modern red wines are making their mark on Bordeaux’s already world-renowned reputation for red wine production. 

Crafted to drink when young, but still with great ageing potential, the new red wines of Bordeaux are the result of innovative winemakers’ exploration of new styles and modern approaches.

Food pairings for red Bordeaux wines

When it comes to the festive  season, red Bordeaux wines are always a favourite. There’s one Christmas ingredient that we can’t imagine Christmas without, a roast turkey – from the traditional roast to more modern interpretations – turkey is one of the key elements of a Christmas celebration. An excellent wine to serve with roast turkey and all the trimmings is a Merlot-based red Bordeaux.
Why not try a wine from Saint-Émilion where the Merlot grape is often the majority of the blend, and the full-bodied structured wines with ripe tannins will pair perfectly with your Christmas roast.
While we highly recommend you surprise your guests and try a cheese board with a dry white Bordeaux wine – a perfect match – you can also stick to tradition and serve a Bordeaux red. 

TASTING ADVICE:

Serving temperature 13 – 15°C

DID YOU KNOW?

Merlot originated from the region of Aquitaine in the South of France. This grape is the main variety cultivated by wine growers from Bordeaux. And it is used worldwide. No matter where you go in the world, Merlot is the grape variety the most widely known by wine consumers. 

Crémants de Bordeaux

Although the Crémant appellation is one of the most recent in the Bordeaux region (1990), the production of sparkling wines in Bordeaux is a century-old tradition. With its delicate bubbles and full of freshness, Crémant de Bordeaux, is the perfect accompaniment for festive occasions.

There are two types of Crémant de Bordeaux – white and rosé.

With the white, you will experience fine bubbles with aromas of citrus and white flowers, such as acacia hazelnuts, and buttery or toasty notes.

White Crémant de Bordeaux represents 69% of the production of Crémant de Bordeaux and involves 214 winemakers. They can be produced using all Bordeaux grape varieties, both white and red.

For the Crémant rosé, the bubbles are lively with notes of red fruit. Its aromas are similar to redcurrant, strawberry or raspberry.

Crémant de Bordeaux Rosé are made from the red grape varieties of Bordeaux: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot.

Food pairings for Crémants de Bordeaux

White and Rosé Crémants would be the perfect way to start the celebrations! They are best enjoyed with aperitifs, shellfish and red fruit desserts. However, for white meat dishes, the white Crémant is preferable and for cheeses, the Rosé is more suitable.
Bordeaux Crémants are a popular glass to serve for the festive season as their easy-drinking nature and touch of soft fruitiness suit many palates. 

TASTING ADVICE:

Serve chilled between 7°C and 11°C

DID YOU KNOW?

More than 75% of the Bordeaux vineyards are certified since 2020 by an environmental initiative such as Agriculture Biologique (Organic Agriculture), Haute Valeur Environnementale (High Environmental Value) or Terra Vitis.

Enjoy Holiday season with Bordeaux wines!

Ask your wine merchant about Bordeaux wines.