July 29, 2011

Philippines Wine Shop Clark Wine Center is pleased to share with you articles, news and information about wine, wine events, wine tasting and other topics related to wine and the appreciation of wine.

The Dry White Wines of Bordeaux

The dry white wines of Bordeaux offer a range of tasty tipples ranging from light and refreshing sippers to serious, full-bodied and ageworthy blockbusters.

Bordeaux is most famous for its big, expensive red wines from such prestigious appellations as Margaux, Pauillac, St-Emilion, to name a few, and to a lesser extend, for its sweet wines from Sauternes and Barsac, but its dry white wines have been increasingly gaining praise from the critics.

The white wines of Bordeaux have had a rather sketchy history as being wines of questionable quality. Oftentimes these wines were flabby and oxidized with an unnecessary amount of added sulphur (probably because the winemakers were more used to making sweet wines which require more sulphur.) In recent years, things have started to change and a range of different styles of dry white wines of improving quality are now being made. The wines can be refreshing, unoaked wines dominated by Sauvignon Blanc and/or Semillon, or full-bodied, barrel-aged, and ageworthy single varietals or blend of two or more grape varieties.

Grape Varieties

Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon make up most dry white Bordeaux. Muscadelle and Sauvignon Gris are two less important varieties that are less likely seen, but may be added to the blend.

Sauvignon Blanc: This grape – often better known from such wine regions as Sancerre in France’s Loire Valley and Marlborough in New Zealand – is also planted in Bordeaux. It is a very versatile grape that can produce light, racy, unoaked whites and more structured and complex oak-aged versions. Sauvignon Blanc is often criticized as being simple and unable to age, however, some excellent ageworthy examples are crafted from such producers as Smith-Haut-Lafitte (approximately $109 in Ontario). You may see some wines made with Sauvignon Blanc grapes referring to the grape on the label, such as the crisp and nettly Dourthe La Grande Cuvee Sauvignon Blanc ($15.95 in Ontario).

Semillon: This is the most planted white grape in the Bordeaux region. Semillon has a naturally thin skin which makes it an easy target for Noble Rot (Botrytis cinerea infection), necessary for making the sumptuous sweet wines of Bordeaux. Some rich, full-bodied dry wines with tropical fruit and honey aromas are also made with Semillon. Chateau Roquetaillade La Grange ($14.95 in Ontario) is mostly Semillon with a bit of Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle blended in. Semillon is often blended with the leaner, more acidic Sauvignon Blanc to balance its plumpness.

Muscadelle: Similar to the Muscat grape, although not directly related, Muscadelle has a perfumed aroma that has many admirers. Very rarely is this grape made into a single varietal wine and almost never makes up more than 15% of any vineyard. Muscadelle is a difficult grape to grow so many growers won’t bother with it. It is sometimes seen as a minor component in dry and sweet white blends.

Sauvignon Gris: This offshoot of the Sauvignon Blanc grape has developed a following in the Graves region of Bordeaux where some estates, such as Chateaux Monbousquet ($105 in Ontario), Pape-Clement ($269 in Ontario), Rahoul, and even the famous Pessac-Leognan estate Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte, have adopted it. Sauvignon Gris has a pinkish-coloured skin and instead of the citrus and grassy aromas and flavours of Sauvignon Blanc, it has a rounder, more floral character.

Principal Dry White Bordeaux Appellations

Bordeaux AOP: Many of the dry white wines of Bordeaux are classified simply as Bordeaux AOC (changed recently to AOP). In fact, 60% of all dry white wine produced in Bordeaux uses this appellation. Many styles of dry whites are classified with this appellation, from fresh, crisp, and fruity wines for early consumption to more full-bodied, barrel-aged examples. Many Bordeaux AOP wines can be purchased at quite reasonable prices. A couple of good examples are Chateau d’Argadens Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, $16.95 in Ontario), and Mouton Cadet Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc, $13.95 in Ontario).

Entre-Deux-Mers AOP: After Bordeaux AOP, this is the largest dry white wine appellation in Bordeaux. Wines sold as Entre-Deux-Mers must be dry whites and are mainly made with Sauvignon Blanc together with Semillon and Muscadelle. Most of these wines are light and easy-drinking and should be consumed as young as possible. Many Entre-Deux-Mers whites can be considered ‘cheap and cheerful’ wines – tasty, but not too complex. Andre Lurton’s Chateau Bonnet White ($13.95 in Ontario) is a tasty example.

Graves AOP: Graves is Bordeaux’s only region that is famous for both its red and white wines. It is in this region that more serious, barrel-aged, sometimes barrel fermented dry whites can be found. Most are a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Look for Chateau Haut Selve for a nicely oaked version of Semillon ($21.95 in Ontario).

Pessac-Leognan AOP: This appellation is also for both red and white wines and was established in 1987 for what is considered to be the best vineyards of the larger Graves region. It is still often referred to as Graves. Famous chateaux include Haut-Brion, La Mission-Haut-Brion, Pape-Clement, and Marlartic-Lagraviere. The white wines from this region can be included among the most complex white wines in the world. Sauvignon Blanc must make up at least 25% of the blend usually with Semillon. These wines will, for the most part, be barrel-fermented and barrel-aged, and some of the best can be successfully cellared for decades. Chateau de Rochemorin Blanc (also by Andre Lurton) is a Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend, aged in oak, that will keep well for up to 5 years ($24.95 in Ontario).

Choosing a Dry White Bordeaux

It is very difficult to determine the style of wine in the bottle as there is usually no indication on the label. The price may give some indication as the less expensive wines are more likely to be the light and refreshing versions, and less likely to be barrel-aged. Ageing wine in barrels usually drives the price up a bit due to the high cost of purchasing the barrels. The more expensive wines will typically be fuller-bodied, more complex, and are more likely to be barrel-aged.
Source: http://www.suite101.com/content/the-dry-white-wines-of-bordeaux-a270090

The wines of Yats Wine Cellars are designed for the matured wine lovers looking for wines that are interesting, not necessarily impressive, and at a fair price that is usually below those of a comparable big names, and from a matured vintage from 20 years or older. There are over 2000 selections of wine at Yats that fit that description.

If Philippines is part of an upcoming travel and holiday plan, wine lovers might want to visit Clark Freeport Zone just 70 minutes from Manila. This bustling new city that is slated to replace Manila as the new capital of the Philippines has the largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center. Vintages span over a century and the selection of old- and new-world wines covers all major wine regions are all available at this top-rated wine shop near Manila. Pampanga Philippines is a fast growing province. Growth in major cities such as San Fernando, Angeles City and Clark Freeport Zone has given rise to a strong demand for luxury goods, upscale dining and quality living. Absence of a good wine shop for fine vintage wine has caused considerable inconvenience to the affluent community which is forced to drive down to Manila to purchase their wines.

Yats Wine Cellars is generally regarded by Asian and Philippines wine lovers as the best wine supplier in the Philippines. This Wine Shop in Clark Philippines releases very rare wines for wine lovers in Asia.

Wine lovers from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia travel to Philippines Clark Freeport to purchase these limited rare bottles of fine vintage wine.

Leading Philippines wine supplier known for its line of fine vintage wines, Yats Wine Cellars was established in 2000 to address the requirement of a growing population of wine enthusiasts in the Philippines. Yats Wine Cellars caters to the discerning client who requires these qualities in their wines: (1) excellent value, (2) large selection of labels and vintages to choose from and (3) wines properly aged for full enjoyment.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.
Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Yats Restaurant is an excellent Restaurant to dine, a restaurant with good food, a good place to have birthday party and special events. A Kid-friendly restaurants in Manila

Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassions

www.YatsRestaurant.com

Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassion

www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com