Behind the Scenes of the Everyday Bordeaux Selection 2016 Tasting

Here you will find wines that offer good value for money at their price points, as well as being true representatives of one of Bordeaux’s appellations.

Last week we sat in with the judges as they started the 2016 Everyday Bordeaux Selection. During the day they blind-tasted 182 different Bordeaux wines, to pick the very best of what Bordeaux has to offer for this year’s selection with regards to quality and diversity. The wines were separated into ‘flights’ dependent on style and appellation. All wines in a ‘flight’ were in a similar price range to allow for a fair decision.

Chaired by Master of Wine and ex-Chairman of the Association of Wine Educators, Richard Bampfield, the judges were all independent wine professionals and Bordeaux accredited tutors: Dan Harwood, Laura Clay, Vivienne Franks, Anthony Stockbridge, Keith Granger and Sandy Leckie. Several of the team had been judging at International Wine Challenge earlier in the week but were still keen and ready to taste.We snapped away as they swished, swirled and evaluated the many wines, which included reds in all of our tasting profiles: supple & fruity, round & structured and powerful & intense; crisp & fruity and also structured & generous dry white wines; mellow & fruity, unctuous & intense sweet white wines, and Bordeaux rosés. During the process the judges had to decide which wines will be included in the selection, as well as write tasting notes with suggested occasions for consumption. It’s no mean feat, but an enviable job nonetheless!The Everyday Bordeaux Selection 2016 will be available on the market with wines priced between £6-20. Watch our website towards the end of May for the full list!