I have tended to be somewhat wary of Bordeaux wines in recent years - too often they are either over-priced or of questionable quality - and such sweeping generalisations are inevitably unfair to a region that produces a vast quantity of AC wines, and some of the best wines in the world. My major beef has been that too often the French assume that because a wine is a)French and b) from Bordeaux they can justify selling it regardless of the usual criteria of "good value for money" or "bon rapport qualité/prix". Consumers have also connived in this situation, always assuming that if a wine has Bordeaux on the label it must be good - AND/OR submitting to the wine snobbery of earlier years which suggested that if you did not appreciate a fine Bordeaux, then that was more a reflection of the consumer's lack of knowledge (or parents!) rather than any shortcoming in the wine!!
But now www.bordeaux-undiscovered.co.uk has come along with the avowed aim of tracking down those elusive great value wines from Aquitaine: "Bordeaux Undiscovered has gone in search of such wines, tasted them, selected the best, based on their quality to price ratio, and is now making them available in the UK for the first time at very competitive prices."
And to prove their point they have a mixed case offer of 12 bottles for just £49.00 plus £5.99 delivery - which has to be worth a try.
The website at www.bordeaux-undiscovered.co.uk includes recipes to match the wines. There is plenty of information on the wines chosen - within the criteria of some seriously selective tastings to ensure quality and value - and their previous unavailability in the UK.
Perhaps it is time to take another look (or taste) of Bordeaux.
