Bordeaux wine still provides the template for wine blends from all over the world, it has been suggested.

Writing in the Washington Post, wine critic Dave McIntyre insists that any winegrowers using Bordeaux grapes will be using the region's wines as a model for their own blends.

This means that Bordeaux wine always stays relevant, Mr McIntyre insists, and the high quality of the 2009 grape harvest means that smaller Bordeaux estates are also producing excellent wines.

He explains that smaller vineyards usually produce wine that is somewhere between acidic and drinkable, but 2009s are a cut above.

"Most of the wines I tasted recently were quite pleasant at least, while the better ones showed a verve and spirit that are remarkable for wines of this price, from anywhere," he wrote.

Wine Spectator recently advised wine lovers not to overlook 2008 Bordeaux. While not being as high quality as 2009, 2008 still produced some excellent wines that are fantastic value, the publication noted.