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Thursday, 05 April 2018 12:43

Why study Bordeaux?

Written by Lisa Airey

Bordeaux is France’s largest appellation and largest producer of AOC wine! It has been exported since the Middle Ages. In fact, its inland port with its historic and stately, stone warehouses, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
 
The region has been tracked with regard to vintage year for its entire history. Collectors speak in terms of Moueix and Derenoncourt, of Thunevin and Maltus as avid fans speak of their favorite athletes. Even non-wine drinkers have heard of Châteaux Mouton, Lafite, Latour, Margaux and Haut Brion!
 
Bordeaux’s en primeur or futures sales have historically been high entertainment and a competitive sport as consumers and investors attempt to procure the most highly-rated wines for the best prices.
 
The global wine community descends on Bordeaux every other year like vinous pilgrims on a bacchanal to attend Vinexpo. All eyes look to Bordeaux. In fact, California created an entire “Meritage” category for Bordeaux-styled blends.
 
With an average annual production of 61 million 9-liter cases, Bordeaux has flaunted the quality to quantity ratio and proven that great wines can be made in large volume.
 
Bordeaux’s rich history, commercial significance, mercantile mindset, size, and quality set it apart from other French wine regions. It does not beg study; it commands it!
 
Bordeaux was sending out its clarets on the high seas while Champagne was red and still and Hermitage was white. To master the wines of France, start here!
 

 

PODCAST: Jane Anson & Andrew Jefford on Bordeaux

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Study Bordeaux on WSG Studio

Saint Emilion: an Appellation In Search of its Soul? with Colin Gent, MW
With Colin Gent MW
Meeting of the Minds: Bordeaux Classifications: Asset or Liability?
With Andrew Jefford, Fiona Morrison MW, Jeffrey Davies, Stephen Browett
Sustainable Bordeaux with Romana Echensperger, MW
With Romana Echensperger MW
Getting to Know Sweet Bordeaux with Deborah Parker Wong
With Deborah Parker Wong
The Place de Bordeaux: How It Works, How it is Evolving with Jane Anson
With Jane Anson
The Wine History of Bordeaux with Tanya Morning Star
With Tanya Morning Star
WSG Live: Andrew Jefford Hosts Christian Moueix
With Andrew Jefford, Christian Moueix
Meeting of the Minds - Trends in Bordeaux
With Fabien Teitgen, Jane Anson, Mathieu Chardonnier, Tanisha Townsend
Bordeaux Who's Who with Fanny Darrieussecq
With Fanny Darrieussecq

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Lisa Airey

Lisa M. Airey, FWS, CWE has thirteen years of experience selling wine at the wholesale level and in training both sales force and wait staff. She sat on the Board of Directors for the Society of Wine Educators from 1998-2004 and co-chaired the committee which launched their Certified Specialist of Wine program and authored and edited the first CSW Study Guide. She served as Education Director of the SWE before assuming the same role for WSG. She oversees all WSG educational programming.

Lisa was knighted by the French government (Order Mérite Agricole) for her contribution to French agriculture, namely the development of the French Wine Scholar Program. She is an Accredited International Bordeaux Tutor through the CIVB, a Certified Burgundy Instructor through the BIVB and a Certified Rhône Educator through Inter-Rhône. Lisa graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Language and Linguistics, Magna Cum Laude.



The opinions and views expressed in blog posts are those of the author of the post and do not necessarily represent the views of The Wine Scholar Guild or constitute any part of its educational programs.

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