Like many, I ponder my ultimate travel destination once the pandemic subsides and we are free to travel the world again. My dream trip has been on my bucket list for many years. With a focus on wine writing, I chose a place that signifies my love of wine and, at the same time, enhances my knowledge of wine-growing regions. I find I learn the most when visiting. My choice also came to fruition through networking with people I met whose stories or connections tie to my desired location. That place is Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion.
I want to discover the Châteaux that make up the Left and Right Bank. While learning the history and culture of the area, I discover the traditions of winemaking that pass from each generation. Like many of the wineries in Bordeaux, I also see the innovations and modern concepts the younger generations bring into the mix.
The Left and Right Bank Of Bordeaux
In Bordeaux, the left and right bank define Bordeaux’s two most famous wine regions. An estuary of two rivers separates the two banks. The Gironde Estuary divides the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. The area north and right of the Gironde constitutes the Right Bank. The area south and left represents the Left Bank. Both areas create blends typically utilizing five well-known Bordeaux grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. The Right Bank utilizes Cabernet Sauvignon as the dominant variety, and the Left Bank uses Merlot predominantly.
The Right Bank is known for the appellations of Pomerol and St-Émilion, and its four ‘satellite’ appellations, Montagne-, Lussac-, Puisseguin- and St-Georges St-Emilion. The area also encompasses Côtes de Blaye, Côtes de Bourg, Fronsac, Canon-Fronsac, Lalande de Pomerol, Francs Côtes de Bordeaux and Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux.
The Left Bank defines the Medoc region with its appellations of St-Estèphe, Pauillac, St-Julien and Margaux as well as Haut-Médoc, Listrac-Médoc and Moulis-en-Médoc. The Left Bank also includes Pessac-Léognan and the white wine region of Graves, plus Sauternes and Barsac sweet wines.
A Bordeaux Tasting Adventure
My story begins several years ago when I met French winemakers during a wine luncheon at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. One person in particular motivated my desire to visit Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion. I was inspired by Paul Goldschmidt, whose wife’s family-owned Château Siaurac, producing wine since 1832. Sitting next to Paul during the tasting, he told me a tale that speaks of family, its ingenuity, and creativity.
While on a tasting trip back east, Paul took a train to Baltimore for a wine tasting event. The train broke down, delaying the trip for about five hours. Thinking outside the box and knowing he would miss the tasting, Paul decided to have a private tasting with the train passengers. Those who have experienced delays on both trains and planes can only imagine the fun these passengers had tasting wines from Bordeaux off the cuff.
Château Angelus Bells Photo Courtesy of JB Nadeau
The Bells Toll in Saint-Emilion
My desire to visit Saint-Émilion peeked when I met with Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal of Château Angelus. The story behind this winery made me want to visit immediately. They say the bells toll three times a day; morning, midday, and night symbolizing the beginning and end of the workday and calling people to pray in what is known as the Angelus prayer. The tale goes on to say that the chimes from the neighboring church could be heard in the vineyards. This bell symbolizes Château Angélus, a winery dating back to 1544 and now in its eighth generation. I want to listen to those bells that beckon people to pray and see the church from which they chime.
This is an excerpt of an article I wrote for Food Wine Travel Magazine.