Bordeaux the wine version

We came to Bordeaux for the wine. We have spent our time touring the vineyards on both sides of the Garonne River tasting and learning about the wines of France.

Growing grapes is highly regulated.  Only 65 vineyards have been certified buy the AOC (Appellation d'Origine Controlee)  that occurred in 1865.  And nothing has changed since then.  The AOC  allows only certain grape varieties to be grown in certain the Appellation (region). They designate what wines/labels carry the AOC or are labeled "Vin du France"  (wines not produced under the AOC rules).  As a result, there are only a limited number of vineyards and chateaus that make approved wine and only a limited area that is allowed to grow vines.

Bordeaux only allows the growing of six varieties of grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Carmeniere.  Each appellation only grow grapes that are approved for their region. It is very strict system that hasn't changed for nearly two hundred years.  

Saint Emilion is on the right bank of the Garonne River.  It's an ancient village built on a hillside surrounded by the most beautiful land full of vineyards and chateaus. Now the village is full of wine stores.  This picture was taken from the church at the top of the village.

The Chateaus are so beautiful. It's hard to believe that people actually live in them and farm the land.

Most of the grapes are hand picked from the fields, taken to the processing barn, cleaned and de-stemmed and prepared for fermentation in steel barrels.  Then the wine is aged in these French oak barrels that cost about $1000 each. They only use the barrels for two seasons and then sell them for $40.  We have wondered when they are going to run out of French oak since they have been using barrels for hundreds of years and oak is very slow growing.  These are the things we ponder over a glass of wine. 

One of the chateaux's had a nuclear bomb shelter that protected their stash of wine.  They had wines dating back to 1912!  They had most years except for the bad years of drought and war.

We love wine and Bordeaux.  Perhaps we need a chateau so we can live in France.