Whisky in Bordeaux Casks

The French wine-growing region of Bordeaux can be found around the eponymous city at the mouth of the Garonne River and comprises more than 3000 wineries (called châteaus). It is probably the largest contiguous wine-growing region in the world, with an annual production volume of around 700 million bottles of Bordeaux wine.

The French system of appellations of origin is very complex. In the case of Bordeaux wine alone, with its five regions of Médoc, Graves, Entre-Deux-Mers, Libournais and Blayais-Bourgeais, it comprises more than 50 different so-called appellations (AOC = Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée), oriented towards conformity with the expression required in terms of taste. Bordeaux is made from the red grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec and the white grape varieties Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, Ugni Blanc and Colombard. However, only about 20% of Bordeaux wines are white.

The many appellations and grape varieties give Bordeaux wines different aromatic characteristics. Cabernet Sauvignon, for example, is characterised by blackcurrants, cedar wood, lots of tannin and acidity. Merlot has the largest share of Bordeaux wines, is very full-bodied and fruity, but loses this fruitiness much faster during storage than a Cabernet Sauvignon and gains very spicy notes. Storage in steel tanks has also become standard in France, although this is where the typical barrique barrel originated, which is still used for high-quality Bordeaux wines. It usually has a volume of 225 litres, but today it can also be up to 700 litres.

The colour of Bordeaux red wines varies depending on the grape variety and, above all, on the age and duration of ageing in wooden barrels. The typical "Bordeaux red" with its play of colours between violet and ruby red is found above all in a relatively young Merlot.

The Irish Green Spot Château Léoville Barton was allowed to mature in Bordeaux barrels of the eponymous vineyard. The Jura Turas-Mara was also matured in Bordeaux casks. German whisky producers also often use wine casks: Slyrs Sauternes was matured in white wine casks from Bordeaux.