Bordeaux Wine Regions of the Left Bank

As the Gironde River makes its way from the Atlantic Ocean inland into the southwest of France, its tributaries, the Garonne and the Dordogne, detach the wine-growing region of Bordeaux into left and right banks. There is also an area in the middle of the two tributaries that is often referred to as "Entre-deux-mers" - literally, "between two seas."

The traditional red grape varietals of Bordeaux are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The traditional white grape varietals are Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle.

Truffle Cultivation

The red wines produced on the left bank of Bordeaux are based on the Cabernet Sauvignon grape, and hence are imbued with a good deal of tannins. A typical blend will be 60 to 70 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the expanding of which softens the Cabernet. The left bank generally produces big and tannic Cabernet-based red wines with pronounced black currant and cassis flavors. These wines have incredible aging inherent and most are meant to be cellared.

Bordeaux Wine Regions of the Left Bank

Trufas / Truffles: Historia, ciencia, cultivo, recoleccion / History, Science, Cultivation, Harvesting (Spanish Edition) Best

Rate This Product :

Customer Reviews

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Mar 12, 2012 21:58:21

North of the city of Bordeaux and the first region encountered from the Atlantic Ocean as the Gironde River makes its way into France is the area referred to collectively as Medoc. Within Medoc, from the ocean inland are St. Estephe, Paillac, St. Julien and Margaux. South of the City of Bordeaux, the left bank continues into Graves, with its sub-region of Pessac-Leognan, and Sauternes.

All Bordeaux wines are heavily influenced by terroir - the blend of soil characteristics, location and climate that affects the particular expression of a grape. The soils on the left bank are gravelly and that is one surmise Cabernet Sauvignon is featured in these wines. Gravel soils encourage deep root penetration as the vines must find nutrients under the gravel, stabilizing the vines and providing consistent intake of water.

Variations among the Bordeaux wines from the left bank are due to many factors - microclimate, varying amounts of gravel, limestone and clay, vinification practices, and presence to the Atlantic Ocean and the river marshes. The oldest wine-producing region in Bordeaux is Graves. Grapes have been cultivated here since at least the middle ages. Both red and white wines are produced from this region's gravelly soils, and the wines are dry, robust and earthy. The reds have red fruits and black currant, and often are said to have notes of cinnamon. In 1987, an area in the north of this region was given an appellation of its own - Pessac-Leognan. This is a Grand Cru (first-growth) appellation and the wines are pricey and of very high quality. Chateau Haut-Brion is perhaps the most customary Graves wine.

Also in Graves, Sauternes is notable for the sweet sweetmeat white wines made from Semillon grapes that have developed "noble rot" from the fungus Botrytis cinerea. In the rest of Graves, white Bordeaux wines are typically dry, crisp and refreshing, often made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc or a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.

Wines from the Pauillac region generally are full-bodied, tannic and acidic when they are young. As they age, typical Bordeaux black currant and cedar become apparent. This region of Bordeaux has three Grand Cru Chateaux -- Lafite-Rothschild, Latour, and Mouton Rothschild.

The Margaux region produces medium to full-bodied reds with typical red fruits, but these Bordeaux wines are often excellent for their perfume-floral bouquet. These wines are sometimes described as having toast and truffle nuances as they age. The most notable is, of course, Chateau Margaux, the region's only Premier Cru. The community of Cantenac also produces customary wines from this region.

St. Julien produces elegant and consistent wines, often described as the epitome of Bordeaux-style wine. St Julien does not have an Premier Cru designated wines, but does have several perfect Deuxieme Crus which are dreadful wines -- Loville-Las-Cases, Loville-Barton, Loville-Poyferr and Ducru-Beaucaillou.

The soils of the St. Estephe region possess more clay and therefore hold more moisture than the more gravelly soils of Margaux, Pauillac and St. Julien. In dry years, this is a specific advantage. These wines tend to have more substance the other left bank Bordeaux wines. Two of the most customary estates here are Montrose and Cos d"Estournel. St. Estephe has no Premier Cru designations, but these two Deuxieme Crus offer some of the best bargains in Bordeaux.

In 1855, Emperor Napoleon Iii requested that a classification theory for Bordeaux wines be instituted, resulting in the Bordeaux Wine lawful Classification of 1855, which ranked the wines into five categories. Those classified as "first growth," or "Premier Cru," some of the most costly wines in the world are:

Chteau Lafite-Rothschild, in the sub-region Pauillac
Chteau Latour, in the sub-region Pauillac
Chteau Mouton Rothschild, in the sub-region Pauillac
Chteau Margaux, in the sub-region Margaux
Chteau Haut-Brion, in the sub-region Pssac-Leognan of Graves

The region called "Entre-deux-mers" is situated in the middle of the two tributaries of the Garonne and the Dordogne. Wines produced here are predominantly from Sauvignon Blanc, sometimes blended with Semillon and Muscadelle for buildings and depth. These are fresh and fruity dry white wines with distinctive Sauvignon Blanc aromas.

Bordeaux Wine Regions of the Left Bank

Black Truffle Farm

Black Truffle Farm Tube. Duration : 4.75 Mins.

Australian Chef, Benjamin Christie visits the blue frog Truffle Farm near Canberra, to learn all about how to grow and cook with Black Truffles. www.benjaminchristie.com

Keywords: australia, benjaminchristie, black, canberra, celebritychef, chef, cooking, truffle, truffles

A Short History of the Pinot Noir Wine Grape

Pinot Noir is one of the oldest vine grape varieties known and was named by the noble Pinot house after the pinecone shape of the grape bunches. Pinot's been cultivated in Burgundy since the 1st century Ad. One legend has it arriving in Burgundy via the Aedui from their invasions of Lombardy and Italy. Another legend has it arriving via the Romans while other tales refer to the Romans seeing Pinot already established in the region.

With the Barbarian invaders driving the Romans from the region, the Catholic church inadvertently became custodian of the fine Pinots. The monks used Pinot Noir in their sacraments and hence gained approval for the wine. They improved the varietal through careful vineyard practices and by the 6th century, most of Burgundy was divided into church owned vineyards. The first documented mention of Pinot Noir in Burgundy doesn't occur till 1345. French monks brought the grape to the Rheingau region where it's been cultivated since 1470. Church owned vineyards were seized and distributed to families in Burgundy during the French revolution nearby 1789 resulting in an independently owned and run vineyard model that still survives today.

Truffle Cultivation

Burgundy is home to Pinot Noir. Within the Burgundy region, a 30-mile long by 2-mile wide stretch of land known as the Côte d'Or (Slope of Gold) consistently produces some of Europe's finest Pinots. This strip has ideal chalky, well-drained soil, good sunlight exposure with above median temperatures and gentle slopes. All characteristics you'll also find in Australia's top Pinot Noir growing regions.

A Short History of the Pinot Noir Wine Grape

Taming the Truffle: The History, Lore, and Science of the Ultimate Mushroom Best

Rate This Product :

Taming the Truffle: The History, Lore, and Science of the Ultimate Mushroom Overview

Whether the world's best truffles are found in Piedmont or Perigord inspires impassioned debate, but the effects of dwindling supply and insatiable demand for the elusive, ultimate mushroom are unquestionable: prices through the roof, intrigue and deception, and ever more intensive efforts to cultivate.

The secrets of when, how, and where to collect truffles have benn passed from generation to generation since ancient times, but artificial cultivation remains the holy grail. Here in the most comprehensive practical treatment of the gastronomic treasure to date, the art and science of the high-stakes pursuit come together.

Their enthusiasm and expertise leavened with wry humor, the authors explore the newest techniques; they describe the commercial species in detail along with their host plants, natural habitats, cultivation and mintenance, pests and diseases, and harvesting with pigs, dogs, truffle flies, and even the electronic nose.

Pursuit of the fungus that costs more than gold is not for the faint of heart nor for those in a hurry, as under ideal conditions, truffle production in artificial truffieres can begin after three years but results may not be seen until a decade after planting, and maximum yields not for another decade still. So there is time to read and prepare, and no better source than this one.

Customer Reviews

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Mar 09, 2012 22:37:34

Wonderful Pinot Noirs come from all over the world. It's grown in many countries and is known by dissimilar names in dissimilar countries. Some locations and names include:Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria (called Blauburgunder or Spätburgunder), Brazil, Canada, Czechoslovakia, England, France, Germany (Spätburgunder), Greece, Hungary, Italy (Pinot Nero or Blauburgunder), Mexico, New Zealand, Switzerland (Clevner, labeled "Dole" when blended with Gamay Noir), the United States, and Yugoslavia (Burgundac).

Pinot is a difficult grape to work with. It's hard to get a consistent, great Pinot and the qoute starts with the plant. Pinot Noir is genetically unstable. A parent plant can yield a plant with wildly dissimilar berry size and shape and even flavour. Cabernet Sauvignon has 12 genetically individual clones but Pinot Noir has up to 1,000 possible clones.

Pinot Noir seems to pick up every known vine disease, mould, fungus and/or pest. It's an early ripening collection so spring frosts are devastating. Pinot Noir at The Gurdies has budburst at the end of September, veraison (when the grape changes from green to purple) end of January to early February and we harvest in any place from the end of March in a hot season till the end of April in a cold season. When picked too late the thinskinned berries will shrivel up and lose all flavour. Extracting all the colour is Another challenge. When fully ripe, the Pinot Noir berry is a very light purple colour and requires careful handling to make the most of the light colour.
Pinot Noir goes through a range of changes as it matures. A young wine will show uncomplicated fruity characteristics including: cherry, plum, raspberry and strawberry. The complex flavours emerge as it ages revealing chocolate, earthiness, smoke and truffles. Only Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier grapes are permitted in sparkling wines from the Champagne region. nearby the world other varieties are used to yield sparkling wines but Pinot Noir is a key collection in any place in the world.

Pinot Noir has many close relatives in the grape world. The best known include:

Pinot Bianco or Pinot Blanc. Pinot Blanc in Australia is well Chardonnay.

Pinot Blanc has been identified as Melon de Bourgogne. The French Alsace region is the best know home for Pinot Blanc. The wines produced are light and yeasty with an apple nose. Some names Pinot Blanc/Bianco hides behind in other parts of the world include: Beli Pinot, Clevner, Weissburgunder, Weisserburgunder, and Weisser Klevner.

Pinot Chardonnay is often used to enumerate a Chardonnay.

Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio or Pinot Beurot all refer to the same grape. The name comes from Gris, being French for gray from the grayish colour of the grape. The wines range from light, crisp and dry to full and sweet. Other names for this grape nearby the world include: Auxerrois Gris, Pinot Buot, Rülander, and Szükerbarát.

Pinot de Romans or Pinot de l'Ermitage is Another name for Durif and it isn't a member of the Pinot family.

Pinot Meunier is well Meunier and is not a member of the Pinot family

Pinot Nero is just Another name for Pinot Noir

Pinotage is a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut from South Africa. First bred in 1925, it is now widely grown in South Africa as well as the United States and New Zealand.

A Short History of the Pinot Noir Wine GrapeHuile d'olive Fruité Vert de PPP - La Bastide Neuve Tube. Duration : 1.87 Mins.

Retrouvez l'huile d'olive fruité vert de Richard Favre à cette adresse internet sur le site de première pression provence : ppprovence.com find green olive oil of Richard Favre at this address on the website of première pression provence : ppprovence.com Toute son enfance, Richard avait vu sur ces terres des cultures annuelles, disparaissant à chaque récolte. En reprenant la maison et les champs de son père, il voulait planter pour durer. Ses premiers oliviers en terre dès 1997, il est bientôt rejoint par sa femme, Julie-Marie. Depuis, tous les ans, vers la fin du mois de novembre, leurs amis viennent de Provence, de Paris ou d'ailleurs pour récolter avec eux le fruit de leur travail. LE VERGER Aux cinq arbres de ses parents à Bonnieux dans le Vaucluse, il a ajouté 2000 pieds d'olivier. Huit hectares enherbés bien cachés tout au bout de la route, au milieu des bois. L'HUILE D'OLIVE Richard la goûte sur un morceau de pain, avec quelques grains de sel et parfois une tranche fine de truffe noire. Verte et ardente, elle sent bon l'artichaut et les feuilles froissées. In taking over the fields of his father, Richard absolutely wanted to institute sustainable cultivation. In 1997, he planted 2000 feet worth of olive trees with his wife Julie-Marie. This makes it possible for the Favre's to invite their loved ones to France each year in order to gather the "harvest of friendship" together! THE ORCHARD The orchard Bastide Neuve consists of 8 acres that are hidden in the middle of ...

Keywords: huile, olive, verte, fruité, vert, mûr, noir, provence, oliveraie, oléiculteur, oil, green, ripe, black, director, tradition, producteur, olivier, arbre, culture, producer, tree, cultivation

Hawaiian Magic Mushrooms

Hawaiian Magic Mushrooms Video Clips. Duration : 1.48 Mins.

Hawaiian Magic Mushrooms purchased in Amsterdam. November 4th 2007. Cost 15 euros weight 12 grams. Place of purchase the Tatanka Smartshop Amsterdam. Strong clear effects. Great visuals.

Keywords: Magic, Mushrooms, Amsterdam

All About Black Trumpet Mushrooms

Black trumpet mushrooms have a waxy grey surface and are known as fragile and trumpet-shaped. It is a very rich and buttery mushroom, beloved in French cuisine because of their unique flavor and texture. They have a unique fragrance which some population say smell like apricots. Black trumpet mushrooms are known to be pretty gritty, and you assuredly do want them as clean as you can get them. Make sure you pick over the mushrooms carefully and rinse if needed, then pat them dry and set on paper towels.

Although black trumpet mushrooms are delicious, they are also very little known. They are fragrant and fruity and go very well with fish or in cheddar cheese dishes. You can try them in a creamy soup or pasta sauce, risotto, or on pizza. As this mushroom type's fruity, musky nature pairs up well with dairy or cheese dishes. Try placing the mushrooms in a skillet on medium heat, and then melt some butter and sauté the mushrooms 4 to 5 minutes. Next season with salt and pepper to taste, but do make sure to support a small handful of the mushrooms for some terrine, and finely chop the rest.

Truffle Cultivation

Typically during the summer months in the Pacific Northwest is where you will find wild black trumpet mushrooms growing. This type of mushroom does not ordinarily grow on wood, even though they are said to sometimes have a woody flavor. This mushroom kind has a trumpet-shaped cap that lengthens down to the stalk. With a color ranging from dark red to light gray or nearly black, black trumpet mushrooms are extremely regarded for their unique and rich flavor. Coloring of the spore surface and stem can range from pale grey to a salmon color to nearly black with wrinkles or raised veins rather than gills. The cap and interior is ordinarily darker, salmon brown to black and hollow top to bottom.

All About Black Trumpet Mushrooms

Black trumpet mushrooms are part of the chanterelle house and can commonly be known as "the poor mans truffle." These mushrooms are ordinarily sold dried rather than fresh. These mushrooms look like little trumpets (or vases if you prefer that image), which rings quite true to its name, and have a distinctive smoky flavor that even borders on buttery. These mushrooms can turn any basic dish into something spectacular. They are mostly sold in specialty markets so they can be hard to find if you are not used to shopping for mushrooms. They can also be a bit on the pricey side; but just a little bit of these mushrooms will go a long way. These mushrooms are known for their added depth and woodsy aroma and work endlessly with cream sauces.

This type of mushroom is a excellent candidate for dried mushroom powder because of the earthiness that ensues within the dehydration process. Dried mushrooms are a delicious way to add a vibrant and pleasant taste to vegetarian and vegan dishes. You will see that black trumpets most all the time grow in synchronicity with some type of moss. And if you spray any type of pesticide on your lawn to kill the moss that harbors these little mushrooms, there's no way you'll find any black trumpets growing there in the future.

Black trumpets are pickable when they are at least two to three inches in height, but can sometimes grow up to six or seven inches tall. This sometimes resembles clusters of black or dark gray rabbit ears. Unlike any other flavor, black trumpet mushrooms have a unique deep, delicious taste weather they are fresh or re-hydrated. These black trumpets are a true wild mushroom that is almost impossible to cultivate. Thus, their arrival in markets and restaurants is restricted to their natural season.

Although, in the Ozarks, black trumpets tend to almost grow year round, they are most abundant in the springtime after good rain, and in the fall. In some years, black trumpet mushrooms are astoundingly plentiful, and then pitifully scarce in other years. But these mushrooms do assuredly dry well. Use the lowest setting you can if you plan on drying them in a food dehydrator. Black Trumpet mushrooms as well as cinnabarinus mushrooms will still be good a year after harvesting them. All you need to do is place them in some water and let them plump back up for a few hours before using them.

All About Black Trumpet MushroomsThe Scent of Black Tube. Duration : 12.10 Mins.

In the Cahors region of France, black truffles are almost literally as valuable as gold in the culinary world. Prized for their glorious scent, black truffles are fungi that grow exclusively on the roots of oak trees. Found in late autumn and winter, the truffles cannot be seen since they grow under the ground. Pigs, or specially trained dogs have been used to search for these elusive truffles. About 20% of the French production comes from southwest France, which possesses the limestone soils and dry hot weather that truffles need to grow. In the late 19th century, an epidemic of phylloxera destroyed many of the vineyards in southern France. Large tracts of land were set free for the cultivation of truffles. Thousands of truffle-producing trees were planted, and production reached the peak of hundreds of tonnes by the end of the 19th century. Wars during the 20th Century decimated the fields. After 1945, the production of truffles plummeted, and prices rose dramatically. In 1900, truffles were used by most French people, and on many occasions. Today, they are a rare delicacy reserved for the wealthy, or used on very special occasions. Originally a common grape in Bordeaux, Malbec has lost popularity as one of the five varieties in the Bordeaux blends. Meanwhile, Malbec increased its status in the French region of Cahors, an area southeast of Bordeaux, where it creates distinctive wines that now require 70% of the variety. GrapeRadio is proud to present a look at the ...

Keywords: wine, cahors, malbec, france, truffles, foie, gras

Huile d'olive Fruité Mûr de PPP - Moulin de Pietourouze

Huile d'olive Fruité Mûr de PPP - Moulin de Pietourouze Video Clips. Duration : 1.73 Mins.

Retrouvez l'huile d'olive fruité mûr de Pierre-Guy Desrousseaux à cette adresse internet sur le site de première pression provence : ppprovence.com find ripe olive oil of Pierre-Guy Desrousseaux at this address on the website of première pression provence : ppprovence.com Oliveron nouveau "Particulier cherche 10ha de terres pour planter 3000 oliviers. Faire offre au 06 11 etc...". De Perpignan jusqu'à Nice, Pierre-Guy Desrousseaux a laissé son annonce dans tous les journaux agricoles du Sud de la France. Jusqu'à ce qu'un appel de Haute-Provence l'invite à visiter un verger déjà planté de jeunes oliviers. La première année, sa récolte a gelé. L'année d'après, c'est un incendie qui a touché ses terres ! Mais Pierre-Guy ne s'est pas découragé. Avec de nouvelles terres et un moulin privé, il est désormais publicitaire à la ville et oliveron en Provence. LE MOULIN Au coeur du Parc du Lubéron, à Sainte-Tulle, le domaine compte 1200 oliviers et 450 chênes truffiers. (AOP Provence.) L'HUILE D'OLIVE AOP Haute-Provence La cuve de Première Pression Provence est un fruité mûr. Pierre-Guy en dit qu'elle a des arômes subtils d'amande et de poivre. "I am looking for 10 acres of land to plant 3000 olive trees. Please call 06 11 etc...". From Perpignan to Nice, Pierre-Guy Desrousseaux submitted his classified ad to every agricultural publication in the South of France. One day a call from Haute Provence invited him to visit an orchard where some young olive trees had already been planted ...

Keywords: huile, olive, verte, fruité, vert, mûr, noir, provence, oliveraie, oléiculteur, oil, green, ripe, black, director, tradition, producteur, olivier, arbre, culture, producer, tree, cultivation