The importance of choosing reputable retailers

 

• Quality assurance: Reputable sources of Bordeaux wines ensure that the wines you purchase are of high quality and free from any defects. They source their wines directly from the wineries or from trusted distributors, ensuring that the wines are authentic and have been stored under proper conditions.
• Authenticity: The Bordeaux region has a long history of winemaking, and it is home to some of the world's most expensive wines. This has led to the rise of counterfeit wines, making it difficult for consumers to determine the authenticity of the wines they purchase. Reputable sources of Bordeaux wines have strict quality control measures in place, ensuring that the wines they sell are authentic and not counterfeit.
• Selection: Reputable sources of Bordeaux wines have a wide selection of wines to choose from. They carry wines from different vintages and producers, giving consumers a chance to explore and try out different wines. They also have knowledgeable staff who can provide recommendations and guidance on which wines to buy based on your taste preferences and budget.
• Price: Reputable sources of Bordeaux wines offer fair and transparent pricing, ensuring that consumers are not overcharged for their purchases. They also offer discounts and promotions, making it easier for consumers to try out different wines without breaking the bank.

Benefits of buying Bordeaux wines online

• Convenience: Buying Bordeaux wines online is convenient, as you can purchase wines from the comfort of your own home, without having to travel to a physical store. This is especially helpful for people who live in areas where access to good wine stores is limited.

• Wide selection: Online wine retailers typically offer a wider selection of Bordeaux wines than traditional brick-and-mortar stores, as they can source wines from all over the world. This gives you a chance to explore and try out different wines from different vintages and producers.

• Competitive pricing: Online wine retailers often offer competitive pricing, as they have lower overhead costs compared to physical stores. They also offer discounts and promotions, making it easier for consumers to try out different wines without breaking the bank.

• Information and reviews: Online wine retailers provide detailed information on the wines they sell, including tasting notes, food pairings, and reviews from other consumers. This helps you make an informed decision when purchasing Bordeaux wines online.

• Delivery: Online wine retailers typically offer delivery services, making it easy for you to receive your wines directly at your doorstep. Some retailers even offer free delivery for purchases over a certain amount.

Best Places to Buy Bordeaux Wines Online

• BTC Wine, your one-stop-shop for wines from all over the world!

Discover the world of wine with BTC Wine, where you can find an extensive selection of wines from different regions, including a vast collection of Bordeaux wines, all available at various price points to suit any budget.

• Considerations for shipping and delivery

On BTC Wine you can buy all your favorite Bordeaux wines in their original wooden case (above 200€) or by case of 6 (OWC upon request and according to availability).

BTC Wine is an excellent option for wine lovers who want to buy high-quality, premium wines using cryptocurrencies. With a vast selection of wines from different regions and brands, BTC Wine offers a convenient and secure platform for purchasing wines using Bitcoin and other digital currencies.

We offer worldwide shipping to over 30 countries (including: France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Finland, UK, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Rep, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Hong-Kong, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.)

For US customers only: Our logistics team handles all duty and taxes on all your purchased wines. When buying on BTC Wine you only pay for the wines themselves, as well as shipping costs (which includes duty and taxes).

Top Bordeaux Wines to Buy Online

• Best-selling Bordeaux wines for different budgets

Under $50:

• Château Coutet – St-Emilion Grand Cru (By the Case)
• Clos de l'Oratoire – St-Emilion Grand Cru (By the Case)
• Château Marojallia - Clos Margalaine – Margaux (By the Case)
• Château Haut-Marbuzet - St-Estèphe (By the Case)
• Château Carbonnieux Blanc - Pessac-Léognan (By the Case)

$50-$100:

• Château d'Armailhac – Pauillac (By the Case)
• Château Marquis de Terme – Margaux (By the Case)
• Château Lagrange - St-Julien (By the Case)
• Château Léoville Las Cases - Le Petit Lion - St-Julien (By the Case)
• Château Phélan-Segur - St-Estèphe (By the Case)

$100-$200:

• Château Boyd-Cantenac – Margaux 3^ème GCC (By the Case)
• Château Canon-la-Gaffelière - 1er GC classé B - St-Emilion Grand Cru (By the Case)
• Château Latour à Pomerol – Pomerol (By the Case)
• Château Smith Haut Lafitte - Pessac-Léognan (By the Case)
• Château Angélus - Carillon de l'Angélus - St-Emilion Grand Cru (By the Case)

Over $200: (Sold Individually)

• Château Pavie - St-Emilion Grand Cru - 1er grand cru classé A
• Château Mouton Rothschild – Pauillac - 1er grand cru classé
• Château Calon-Ségur - St-Estèphe - 3e grand cru classé
• Château Cheval Blanc - St-Emilion Grand Cru - 1er grand cru classé A
• Château La Mission Haut-Brion - Pessac-Léognan - Grand cru classé de Graves

 

Recommendations for white, and dessert wines:

 

White Wines:

• Château Haut-Brion Blanc: This wine is a blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, and is known for its rich, complex flavor and aging potential.
• Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc: This wine is also a blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, and is known for its elegant, mineral-driven flavor profile.
• Château Carbonnieux Blanc: This wine is a blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, and is known for its crisp, citrusy flavor and aging potential.

Dessert Wines:

• Château d'Yquem: This is one of the most famous and sought-after dessert wines in the world. Made from Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes that are affected by noble rot, it is known for its rich, honeyed flavor and incredible aging potential.
• Château Suduiraut: This wine is also made from 100% Semillon grapes affected by noble rot, and is known for its luscious, tropical fruit flavors and excellent aging potential.
• Château Climens: This wine is made entirely from Semillon grapes affected by noble rot, and is known for its delicate, floral flavor profile and excellent aging potential.

Consideration: Reviews and Ratings of Bordeaux Wines

If your wine knowledge is not very broad, do not fret! There are professionals out there whose entire job is to guide and recommend everyday consumers. You should know that even industry professionals refer to these guides and ratings, so there is no shame in gravitating towards these for a little extra help.

Some wine critics you could use for guidance:

• Robert Parker, a very famous critic and founder of the Wine Advocate, a publication that rates wines on a 100-point scale. He is known for his influential ratings of Bordeaux wines, among others.
• Jancis Robinson, Robinson is a British wine critic and author of several wine books. She is known for her expertise in Burgundy and Bordeaux wines, and has a website, JancisRobinson.com, that provides wine reviews and tasting notes.
• James Suckling - Suckling is a former senior editor of Wine Spectator and a well-known wine critic. He has his own website, JamesSuckling.com, where he provides wine ratings and reviews.
• Decanter - Decanter is a wine magazine that publishes reviews and ratings of wines from around the world. They have a team of expert tasters and reviewers who provide unbiased reviews and scores.
• Wine Enthusiast - Wine Enthusiast is a wine magazine that features wine reviews, ratings, and buying guides. They have a team of wine experts who taste and review thousands of wines each year.
• Antonio Galloni - Galloni is a wine critic and founder of Vinous, a website that provides wine reviews and ratings. He is known for his expertise in Italian wines, but also reviews wines from other regions.

How to interpret wine ratings

Ratings can be helpful when selecting a wine to purchase or when evaluating the value of a wine you already own. Here's a general explanation of how to interpret wine ratings:

• The Rating Scale: Most wine ratings use a 100-point scale, where wines are scored from 50 to 100 points. Wines that score 90 points or above are considered excellent, while those that score below 80 points are generally considered average or below average.

• Factors Considered: Wine ratings consider a number of factors, including the wine's color, aroma, flavor, body, tannins, acidity, and finish. These factors are evaluated based on the wine's balance, complexity, and overall quality.

• Personal Preferences: It's important to remember that wine ratings are subjective and based on the critic's personal preferences. What one critic may consider an outstanding wine; another may not like as much. It's important to take the critic's tastes and preferences into account when interpreting ratings. For example, it’s widely known that Robert Parker tends to give high ratings to wines resembling those from Bordeaux, which tend to be very oaky and have lots of tannins.

• Vintage Variations: Vintage variations can also affect wine ratings. Wines from certain vintages may be rated higher or lower than wines from other vintages, depending on the weather and growing conditions of that particular year.

• Price Considerations: Wine ratings can also be helpful in evaluating the value of a wine. A wine with a high rating may be worth investing in, but it's important to consider the wine's price as well. A high-rated wine that is overpriced may not be worth the investment.

 

Overall, wine ratings can be a helpful tool, however, it's important to keep in mind that ratings are subjective and should be considered in conjunction with other factors like those mentioned above.

How to Store and Serve Bordeaux Wines

• Proper storage conditions to maintain quality after delivery.

• Temperature: Bordeaux wines should be stored at a constant temperature between 12-16°C (54-61°F). Fluctuations in temperature can damage the wine.
• Humidity: The ideal humidity for storing wine is between 60-75%. This prevents corks from drying out and allows for the proper aging of the wine.
• Light: Keep wine away from direct sunlight and fluorescent light, as they can break down the wine's components and cause it to spoil.
• Position: Wine should be stored horizontally to keep the cork moist and prevent air from entering the bottle.
• Ventilation: Wine should be stored in a well-ventilated area, to prevent the buildup of musty odors.

• Serving temperatures and glassware recommendations

• Temperature: Red Bordeaux wines should be served at a temperature between 16-18°C (60-64°F) and white Bordeaux wines at 8-12°C (46-54°F).
• Decanting: Young red Bordeaux wines benefit from decanting to allow them to open up and release their aromas. Older Bordeaux wines should be decanted to remove any sediment that has settled in the bottle.
• Glassware: Use a large, tulip-shaped glass to enhance the aroma and flavor of the wine, also known as a Bordeaux wine glass.

• Pairing suggestions

• Bordeaux wines pair well with rich, flavorful foods such as beef, lamb, game, and cheese. Bordeaux white wines pair well with seafood, poultry, and salads.

Now there is much more to learn about the Bordeaux wine region, however, we hope that this short article was helpful in your search for the perfect Bordeaux wine! Don’t forget to check out BTC Wine for all of your fine wine needs and purchases. Cheers!