Bordeaux - Wine and History

Bordeaux is located on the South-West coast of France, in the region of Aquitaine and the Gironde department. This famous city is traversed by the River Garonne, and it's here that you'll encounter people known as the Bordelais.

On a historical note, Bordeaux actually became an English town in the 12th century, following the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine, former wife of Louis VII. And the town remained thus for three centuries, becoming prosperous during the 13th century due to commerce with England. Its second period of prosperity began in the mid 17th century up until the French Revolution - due to the importance of its port for international commerce.

Because of its climate, Bordeaux is often considered to be a bit of a turning point, being both in the north and the south at one and the same time. And from her former English domination, the town has cultivated a certain composure, or class, and an air of cool professionalism with its regular trading with Hanse and Holland. From the period of Louis XIV the town has maintained a certain upright, aligned, classical style of architecture, which you encounter in the innumerable castles made of white stone.

But that's not all there is to Bordeaux... beneath the sophisticated surface of professionalism lies a heart which beats to a rhythm altogether different... a Latin tempo. Doubtless this is due to its close proximity to Spain. And in this lies the other side of Bordeaux one given over to festivals and all manner of frivolity. You've been warned!

The climate of Bordeaux is considered to be Oceanic, that is to say with no great difference between summer and winter temperatures. Here the summers are hot and the winters relatively mild, even warm. However the region does get its fair share of rain spread throughout the year, due to it being on the Atlantic coast. However, extreme periods of dryness can also be a problem from time to time. In Bordeaux, only one thing is certain, and that's the wine!

The greater part of Bordeaux is situated on the left bank of the River Garonne. This comprises chiefly wide and marsh plains. There are some hilly areas, but in the main they are low. Nevertheless, they are ideal for vine growing, and here we encounter the famous Grave and Medoc varieties of wine.

On the right bank of the River Garonne, the situation is quite different, since the earth is made up almost exclusively from chalk. It's here on the right bank that many of the most famous wines in the world have their origin. Here you will find vineyards bearing the almost mythical names such as Fronsac, Pomerol and Saint Emilion. Such wines are justifiably famous around the world, and they possess price tags to prove it!

Without a shadow of doubt, Bordeaux is the world wine capital. In this region, a single wine grower, or viticulteur, will produce several different wines, with several of these being amongst the most renowned in the world. These are identified specifically as "Vins de Bordeaux". Indeed around the Bordeaux region itself there are no fewer than 14000 local wine producers, some quite small. But collectively, these vineyards account for about 700 million bottles annually. Bordeaux wines are both white and red, with the famous red giving its name to the color known as Bordeaux, after the distinctive color of the wine.

And as for the local Bordeaux cuisine? Indeed Bordeaux cuisine, as the cuisine of the whole of the Gironde department, is justly celebrated throughout the country as one of the finrest local French cuisines. You won't have to go far without savouring the delights of well-known regional dishes such as the local wood pigeon speciality, palombe, or dishes made from the equally famous cepe mushroom. Then of course there are the famous shallot sauces. All of this, obviously, needing to be accompanied by a fine Bordeaux wine!

And then of course there's the famous "canele" cake, a Bordeaux speciality made of tender pastry, with a lacing of vanilla and rum, finally covered with a thick caramelised crust. In fact this Bordeaux delicacy was the recipe of some sixteenth century nuns who used to make them to give to the poor of the town. But don't let that put you off... they are far from poor and most exotic... perfect when accompanied by a fine white wine, such as a Saint Emilion! But be careful, they are known to soften quickly after baking... don't worry simply put back in the oven and in a few minutes time they'll recover their famous crustyness!

Other culinary delights to discover in Bordeaux are the strange lamproie fish (or lamprey), which is exceedingly unusual, possessing neither scales, backbone or jaws... in fact more like a large eel, although nevertheless quite delicious. Then of course there's "sauce d'escargots" (snail sauce), known locally as the "truffe de Bordeaux" (or Bordeaux truffle). Inteestingly enough this incorporates grapes, chocolate and alcohol. Then of course there is the famous Tome Aquitaine (a goats cheese plus Sauterne !) and last but not least the unforgettable local "foie gras", renowned throught the region.

So on that culinary note, I wish you a happy stay in the heart of Aquitaine and the famous city of Bordeaux, doubtless accompanied by all the savours and delights of this festive region in the company of your new friends, the Bordelais!

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For further information on France, the French lifestyle and Lyon in French, please visit Rencontres Lyon at Antonio Bonito's QuePourToi.com rencontres chaudes web site.

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