White Bordeaux

You know how in movies women always fall for the inaccessible and dark, brooding man who is slightly standoffish and layered with complexities? And the decent looking (but not striking) friend who is available and friendly and fun struggles the whole movie to get attention? During these movies I usually want to root for the friend. He’s fun! And nice! But like in love, these qualities can be more of a burden than an asset for a wine. Be honest - when you hear the word Bordeaux is your first thought ever of white wine? Dry white wine from Bordeaux is made predominately with Sauvignon Blanc and in a style that many California SB producers have imitated: grassy, zingy, citrusy. A little bit of juice from Semillon and Muscadelle grapes is blended in to add richness and aromatics and sometimes a little fruitiness. Very expensive, complex and age-worthy dry whites from Bordeaux are out there, and maybe one day I’ll have enough money to buy them, but right now I’m enjoying the nice, fun bottles that are usually around $12. These wines are very light, making them perfect for lunch (does anyone really drink wine with lunch? If so, god bless you) or perfect for a warm night at the Hollywood bowl. If you have trouble conjuring up what the 2006 Chateau Lamothe de Haux Bordeaux Blanc tastes like just based on words (youthful, lively, grassy, citrusy), then instead, visualize yourself laying under a lemon tree in a patch of lush, bright green, spring grass next to a gurgling brook. For me, that is inexpensive white Bordeaux.