Under the law of Hong Kong, intoxicating liquor must not be sold or supplied to a minor in the course of business. 根據香港法律,不得在業務過程中,向未成年人售賣或供應令人醺醉的酒類。

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is arguably the most famous wine region in the world. Located in the South-west of France, it is the home of many of the world’s finest wines, world famous sub-regions and individual estates. There are over 8,600 proprietors producing wines from 120,000 hectares of vineyards.

With long hours of sunshine moderated by the maritime climate, Bordeaux is considered perfect for wine growing. It is even occasionally affected by frost and rot. An important by-product of being in a temperate zone that consumers need to look out for, is the variation in quality between different vintages.

Some history

Bordeaux Map

From 1152 to 1453 Bordeaux was under English rule, and this heralded the start of Britain’s love affair with Bordeaux. In the 17th century, as trade with the Dutch flourished, Bordeaux was introduced to many new markets around the world.

By the end of 18th century, a clear hierarchy among the vineyards began to evolve. Individual estates also started to gain strong reputations, with Haut-Brion, Margaux, Latour, and Lafite taking the lead.

In 1855, during the Exposition Universelle in Paris, the negociants (brokers) were asked by the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce to submit a list of Bordeaux wines that showcased the great reds and whites of the region. This list was created based on the prices the wines fetched in the market at that time, and it became known as the 1855 Classification. This classification does not rank specific vineyards but rather individual producers or châteaux.

Key areas in Bordeaux

The Dordogne and Garonne rivers combine to form the Gironde Estuary and divide Bordeaux region into three broad areas: The west and south side of the two rivers is referred as ‘the Left bank’, and is comprised of Médoc, Graves and Sauternes. The area between the two rivers is mostly covered by Entre-Deux-Mers, literally “between two seas”. ‘The Right Bank’ on the east and north of the rivers includes the areas of St-Emilion and Pomerol.

The reknowned areas of Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien and Margaux are found in Médoc. Cabernet Sauvignon, which thrives on the gravel soil, is usually the dominant varietal in the blend. All red wines in the 1855 classification, bar one, come from here. The best wines from this area typically have a blackcurrant taste, and have great structure and longevity. The other communes found in this district are Listrac and Moulis.

Graves is located in the south of the Left Bank, and the finest wines can be found in the Pessac-Léognan appellation. As in Médoc, Cabernet Savignon is the dominant grape varietal in the blend. As well as its high quality reds, this region also produces famous oaked whites made from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Grave classified its red and white wine in 1956 and all the cru classé wines are in Pessac-Léognan.

Sauternes and Barsac produce some of the world’s most complex and luscious sweet wines with the assistance of “noble rot”, or Botrytis cinerea. This is where grapes get infected by a benevolent grey fungus, and partially dry out, thus making sweeter, and more concentrated wines.

On the right bank, Merlot is the dominant grape varietal, with Cabernet Franc a close second. The wine here is softer and silkier than its Médoc counterpart. Since 1958, St-Emilion wines have been classified into three basic categories: premier grand cru classé, grand cru classé and grand cru. And Premier grand cru classé is further divided into Class A and B. The new classification has just been released in 2012, with Château Pavie and Angelus joining the established ranks.

In Pomerol, where most of the estates are extremely small, you can find some of the most velvet and sensual reds. Its highly reputed estates are amongst the most expensive in Bordeaux.

In between the two rivers lies the vast Entre-Deux-Mers, which is renowned for its inexpensive dry whites.