White Meritage vs. Bordeaux Blanc

Last month we examined Meritage wines. Meritage wines contain the same grapes as those used in Bordeaux wines, but they are produced in any country other than France. Rare white Meritage wines are meant to replicate white Bordeaux wine, or Bordeaux Blanc, from the Bordeaux region. 

For many years, white Bordeaux wines accounted for 50 percent of the total wine production in Bordeaux. That number has been dropping since the early 1950s as the red version has become popular. Today, white Bordeaux comprises of about 10 percent of the region’s production. 

So what is a white Bordeaux?

“White Bordeaux is the white wine from France’s Bordeaux region,” Jim Sperk of the Northern Ohio Wine Guild says. “It is usually a blend of sauvignon blanc and Sémillon with possibly muscadelle. In addition, sauvignon gris, colombard, ugni blanc and folle blanche are also allowed. One requirement is that a minimum of 25 percent sauvignon blanc be included in the blend.”

Jim adds that white Meritage, on the other hand, must be a blend of at least two of the following: Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon or muscadelle. No single variety can make up more than 90 percent of the blend and no other grapes are allowed. Lots of rules, but what about the taste? 

“White Bordeaux can be either dry or sweet,” Jim says. “There is no indication that there has ever been a sweet white Meritage. The best-known sweet white Bordeaux are the Sauternes—sweet wines produced from grapes affected by botrytis, known as ‘noble rot,’ a subject I’ll talk about next month.”

While both renditions of these white blends have the ability to age well, especially those aged in oak barrels, the stainless-steel versions can be good values. Jim says the Bordeaux whites are generally priced lower than the very rare white Meritage wines. 

“Rather than searching for a white Meritage, try a Bordeaux Blanc,” Jim says. “The 2023 vintage is an especially good choice.”

For wine recommendations and more about “noble rot,” be sure to check back in February.

For information about the Northern Ohio Wine Guild, contact Jim Sperk at tinymoonwines@usa.net.