The Bordeaux Wine Guide

Bordeaux is probably the region with the greatest wine reputation in the world (let's say, along with Burgundy to be fair). And while the number of grape varieties, appellations and estates can sometimes be overwhelming, you'll see that it's not that complicated to find your way around in Gironde!

In this article, we will dive into the heart of this iconic region to describe it simply, by exploring its 6 key grape varieties (3 white, 3 red) and its 3 sub-regions. We will take you on a journey through its renowned appellations and its Grands Crus Classés...but not only!

A wind of renewal is indeed blowing over the region for some time now, and certain properties are moving away from so-called "traditional" wines with often pronounced oakiness to turn towards more festive and lighter cuvées, focused on pleasure and fruit.

Enjoy your discovery!

 

Bordeaux: 6 key grape varieties

Red wines

90% of the cuvées produced in Bordeaux are red wines. It is therefore quite naturally they who make the wine reputation of the region!  Almost all of these are also produced from three grape varieties:

• Merlot : it represents 2/3 of the red production and offers rather supple tannins, a beautiful fruitiness (cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant) and gives a soft and charming texture to the wine.

• Cabernet Sauvignon : it is the second most present grape variety in Bordeaux. This one gives wines with powerful tannins, having a beautiful structure and offering fruity notes (blackcurrant, plum) and spicy notes (pepper).

• The Cabernet Franc :a kind of in-between of the two previous grape varieties, it can have an interesting tannic structure, but this will be less significant compared to that of Cabernet Sauvignon. Its aromas are also fruity but also on the vegetal side (bell pepper, eucalyptus).

 

The characteristics of these three varieties being very complementary, they are regularly blended to produce the red wines of the region. However, it is entirely possible for local winemakers to produce single-varietal cuvées.

Other red grape varieties obviously exist in Bordeaux, such as Malbec or Petit Verdot. Nevertheless, these do not carry much weight compared to the three giants.

The white wines Although they are in the minority, delicious white wines are also produced in the Bordeaux region! These can be dry or sweet and are made from the following three grape varieties: Sémillon: representing nearly half of the white vineyard, it gives body to the wines and develops aromas of yellow fruits (mirabelle) as well as a hint of exoticism (pineapple, mango) on the palate.

• The Sauvignon Blanc : it is the second most planted white grape variety in the region and is almost as important in planted area as Sémillon. It is very interesting for its natural acidity as well as its expressive fruity aromas (citrus, white fruits, exotic fruits, etc.).

• The Muscadelle : a complementary variety to the two previous ones, it is generally found in small quantities in wines. Muscadelle is low in acidity and powerful in aroma. It offers floral and musky notes.

 

Just like with red wines, these 3 white grape varieties are very regularly blended to produce the final wines.

 

Bordeaux: 3 sub-regions

The Bordeaux vineyard is divided into 3 major areas: 

• the right bank
• the left bank
• the Entre-Deux-Mers

If you visualize Bordeaux, you indeed know that two rivers cross the region: The Dordogne in the north, as well as the Garonne in the south.Well, it is considered that the vineyards to the south of the Garonne are part of the left bank while those to the north of the Dordogne represent the right bank. Finally, the vineyards located between the two rivers are part of the Entre-deux-mers.

Not clear enough? To find your way, feel free to take a look at the map towards the end of this article ! In the meantime, here are more details about these 3 exceptional wine regions with an oceanic climate.

 

The right bank

Located north of the Dordogne, the right bank mainly develops on clay-limestone soils and includes:

• The Libournais: an area renowned for its silky and complex red wines.Pomerol and Saint-Émilion have built the reputation of the local wines, but many other appellations exist here, such as Lalande-de-Pomerol, Canon-Fronsac or even Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux. Merlot is generally the dominant grape variety in the blends.

• Le Blayais-Bourgeais: vineyard of the AOC Côtes-de-Bourg and Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux. Less renowned, these latter offer very interesting red wines with excellent value for money. Here too, the majority grape variety is Merlot.

 

The Left Bank

Located south of the Dordogne, the Left Bank primarily evolves on gravel terroirs and includes: