Summary:

It's time to shine a light on the dry white wines of Bordeaux. Often overshadowed by the region’s famous reds, these wines deserve more attention. From the polished, subtly oaked Sémillon and Sauvignon blends of Graves to the fresh and vibrant Sauvignon Blancs of Entre-Deux-Mers - and beyond - there is so much to discover.  French Programs Director Sharon McLean and Bordeaux Educator Wendy Narby will explore the rich history of Bordeaux whites and the exciting things happening today.  Grab a bottle of dry, white Bordeaux and rediscover their allure.

About the Speakers:

Wendy Narby

Wendy Narby is a senior lecturer at the École du Vin de Bordeaux and has been a wine and food consultant in Paris and Bordeaux for over 20 years. Wendy is a long-term resident of Bordeaux and readily shares her passion in the classroom. She describes herself as a “flying wine educator” taking the latest news from Bordeaux across Europe, Asia and the United States.  

Sharon McLean

Sharon is French Programs Director at WSG and oversaw the redesign of the Masters certifications and the complete update of the Bordeaux Masters Certification launched this year. She is a Certified Sommelier through the International Sommelier Guild, is a certified Bordeaux Educator and teaches WSG and WSET courses on Vancouver Island. Sharon completed the Diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust® with the highest marks in Canada in 2009.

Timestamps

Introduction to the Webinar (00:00)
Justin welcomes participants and introduces Sharon and Wendy as the hosts of the session.

Sharon's Introduction (01:01)
Sharon expresses her excitement about discussing dry white wines from Bordeaux.

Wendy's Background (01:42)
Wendy shares her experience living in Bordeaux and her connection to winemaking.

Wendy's Teaching Experience (02:12)
Sharon recalls her positive experience as Wendy's student in the Bordeaux tutor course.

Q&A Instructions (02:50)
Justin reminds participants to submit questions for the end of the session.

Wendy's Greetings from Bordeaux (03:17)
Wendy describes her current location in Bordeaux and the beautiful weather.

Overview of Bordeaux's Geography (03:51)
Wendy discusses Bordeaux's diverse terroirs and climate affecting wine production.

Bordeaux Appellations Overview (04:55)
Wendy explains the major appellations for Bordeaux white wines and their sizes.

Production Statistics (07:00)
Wendy shares that 11% of Bordeaux's production is dry white wine, with recent growth.

Historical Context of Bordeaux Wines (08:06)
Sharon outlines Bordeaux's long history of wine production and market influences.

Shift from Red to White Wines (09:06)
Discussion on how the Dutch influenced Bordeaux's focus on white wines historically.

Impact of Historical Events (10:19)
Sharon talks about pivotal events that shifted Bordeaux's wine production focus.

Investment Cycle in Bordeaux (12:32)
Sharon explains how investment in winemaking has led to quality improvements.

Advancements in White Wine Production (13:32)
Sharon discusses research that improved the quality of Bordeaux's white wines.

Importance of Terroir Research (14:37)
Sharon highlights the significance of terroir in enhancing Bordeaux's white wines.

Quality Improvements in Winemaking (15:45)
Wendy emphasizes how modern techniques have elevated white wine quality.

Grape Varieties in Bordeaux (18:11)
Sharon briefly lists the key grape varieties used in Bordeaux's white wines.

Introduction of Experimental Grape Varieties (19:15)
Discussion on new fungus-resistant grape varieties and Bordeaux's adaptation to climate change.

Sustainable Practices in Bordeaux (22:42)
Overview of sustainability efforts and certifications in Bordeaux vineyards over the last 15-20 years.

Current Challenges in Vineyard Management (24:38)
The impact of climate volatility on vineyard practices and the need for sufficient labor.

Traditional Styles of Bordeaux Dry Whites (26:20)
Explanation of the classic bright and fruity styles of Bordeaux dry white wines.

Complexity in Bordeaux Dry Whites (29:08)
Discussion on the aging potential and complexity of Bordeaux dry whites, particularly those fermented in oak.

Classification of Bordeaux Dry Whites (35:01)
Insight into the classification of dry white wines in Bordeaux and its historical context.

Emerging Trends in Sauternes (37:48)
Exploration of the movement towards producing dry white wines in Sauternes and the use of Semillon.

Introduction to Dry White Wines (39:01)
Discussion on the market dynamics of sweet vs. dry white wines and their quicker returns.

Diversity in Bordeaux Wines (40:05)
Exploration of the increasing variety of wines produced in Bordeaux, including rosé and dry whites.

Dry White Wines in Médoc (41:15)
Overview of the emergence of dry white wines in the Médoc region and upcoming appellations.

Growth of Dry White Plantings (42:20)
Statistics on the increase of dry white wine plantings in the Médoc, doubling since 2017.

Experimentation with Grape Varieties (43:26)
Introduction of non-traditional grape varieties in Bordeaux and their classifications.

Innovation in Wine Production (44:47)
Discussion on the rise of orange wines and innovative production methods in Bordeaux.

Food Pairings with Dry Whites (46:10)
Suggestions for food pairings with dry white wines, highlighting their versatility.

Q&A Session Begins (49:01)
Transition to audience questions, discussing the impact of overproduction on red vs. white wines.

Biodynamic Farming Practices (51:41)
Insights into biodynamic farming and environmental experimentation in Bordeaux vineyards.

Notable White Bordeaux Producers (55:16)
Recommendations for top châteaux producing notable white Bordeaux wines.

Malolactic Fermentation in White Bordeaux (56:29)
Clarification on the use of malolactic fermentation in Bordeaux's white wine production.

Summary of White Bordeaux Styles (57:37)
Recap of the major categories of white Bordeaux styles for audience clarity.

Introduction to Bordeaux Styles (57:46)
Discussion on the two major styles of Bordeaux dry white wines: fresh and oak-aged.

Differences in Appellations (58:52)
Exploration of the distinctions between Graves and colonial styles, including aging potential and terroir.

Closing Remarks (59:32)
Wrap-up of the webinar, thanking speakers and inviting them for future sessions.

Final Goodbyes (60:00)
Speakers and host express gratitude and bid farewell to the audience.