Collection: Buy Bordeaux wines

The Bordeaux wine diversity

The wine region of Bordeaux is globally recognized for the quality and diversity of its wines. With its more than 110 000 hectares in AOC, it is also the largest region from this perspective.Benefiting from a temperate oceanic climate, varied soils, and a winemaking tradition spanning two millennia, Bordeaux is one of the strongholds of wine in France, whether it be for red wines or white wines ! Here is a summary of the essential information to know about this incredible region where Grands Crus, Crus Bourgeois, wines of character and pleasure coexist.

The Bordeaux grape varieties

The grape varieties used for Bordeaux red wines are primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot as well as Malbec. On the white side, Sauvignon, Sémillon and Muscadelle represent almost all of the plantings within the AOP.

Cabernet Sauvignon, powerful, tannic, and structured, brings aromas of black fruits and spices, while Merlot, more supple and fruity (aromas of cherry, strawberry, etc.) contributes to the roundness, delicacy, and complexity of the wines. Cabernet Franc brings spicy and herbaceous aromas, while Petit Verdot and Malbec add color and structure to the blends. Indeed, Bordeaux wines, both red and white, are rarely single-varietal, and the châteaux of the region are renowned for their great expertise in combining them to bring out the best!

For white wines, Sauvignon Blanc is highly appreciated for its structuring acidity and beautiful aromatic expression, while Sémillon adds richness and a creamy texture. Finally, Muscadelle, although used in small proportions, contributes a lovely richness (citrus, floral aromas) and also brings a certain roundness to the palate.

The Bordeaux appellations

The Bordeaux vineyard has many wine appellations, each with its distinct characteristics. The region is regularly divided into 3 sectors : the left bank, south of the Garonne, the right bank north of the Dordogne, and the Entre-deux-Mers which is located, as its name suggests, between the two rivers.

On the left bank side, we find the Médoc region and its prestigious appellations such as Saint-Estèphe (Château Calon-Ségur, Meyney, Montrose), Pauillac (Château Pontet-Canet, Dompierre etc.), Saint-Julien (Château Gruaud-Larose, Lagrange), Margaux (Château Brane-Cantenac, Mille Roses), Listrac-Médoc (Château Saransot-Dupré), Moulis en Médoc and simply the AOP Haut-Médoc. It is within this region that the 1855 Grands Crus classification was notably established. Then, following the Garonne, one comes across the Graves region with notably the AOC Pessac-Léognan (Château Smith Haut Lafitte) and finally Sauternes (Château Haut Bergeron), recognized worldwide for its very high-quality sweet wines.

On the right bank, the appellations with the highest notoriety will be Pomerol (Château de Valois) and Saint-Émilion (Château Trotte Vieille). Nevertheless, a multitude of other AOCs exist, such as Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux or even Fronsac, Canon-Fronsac, Lalande-de-Pomerol, and Côtes-de-Castillon.

Between these two sub-regions, there is l’Entre-deux-mers (Cheval Quancard), known for its dry and lively white wines , which pair wonderfully with seafood and shellfish. Nevertheless, although the region specializes in white wine, it can also produce sweet wines and is also widely planted with red grape varieties. These will indeed be used to produce the vast majority of red wines from AOC Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur.

The wines of Bordeaux

It is not easy to succinctly summarize the type of wines produced in Bordeauxas the region is vast and expresses a diversity of terroirs and climates allowing for production ranging from vintage Grand Cru to the pleasure wine of a small artisanal vineyard. Nevertheless, some key markers exist.

Thus, the prestigious appellations of the Médoc are known for theircomplex, powerful red wines and endowed with a great aging potential. Cabernet Sauvignon is king here and thrives wonderfully on gravel soils, promoting its maturity.

Saint-Émilion and Pomerol are renowned AOCs for their more elegant, fruity, and velvety red wines. These appellations are indeed dominated by Merlot, which thrives better on clay-limestone soils as is the case here.

The vineyard of the Graves region, located south of the city of Bordeaux, produces both high-quality red and white wines. The red wines are generally blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, while the white wines are made from Sauvignon and Sémillon, offering fruity and aromatic cuvées. Magnificent vintages are available here for sale, such as those from Château Smith Haut Lafitte.

Finally, Sauternes is famous for its sweet wines with an incredible aromatic richness. These are made from late-harvested grapes affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), giving the bottles for sale exceptional complexity.

It should be noted that in Bordeaux, the vast majority of wines (red, white, and sweet) are aged in oak barrels , contributing to the development of woody aromas and giving the produced vintages great aging potential. Nevertheless, a new generation of producers has emerged in France in recent years, eager to break the mold and offering wines (both white and red) for sale that go against conventional wisdom.

In conclusion, Bordeaux is a global treasure of viticulture. With its iconic grape varieties, prestigious appellations and bottles, diversity of wine styles, and unique terroirs, the region continues to captivate wine enthusiasts worldwide. Whether you are looking for powerful red wines, elegant whites, or intoxicating sweet wines, an impressive range of flavors awaits you !

Quality delivery and wines guaranteed in stock

Whether you are searching for a bottle, a magnum, a vintage Grand Cru from a prestigious estate, or budget-friendly bottles, La Cave Éclairée takes care of everything! All our products are guaranteed in stock to avoid any waiting, and we offer home delivery as well as delivery to a collection point to suit your budget and constraints. You can also make your choice individually for all the bottles offered or order your wine in bulk. Every year, we also offer our customers a Primeurs selection of Bordeaux wines. Feel free to sign up for our newsletter to stay informed! 

Our range consists of exceptional châteaux, but we are also capable of finding the hidden gem of a lesser-known appellation that will win your heart. In short, as you may have understood, from AOC Saint-Émilion to AOP Haut-Médoc, including the Entre-deux-Mers appellation, we do everything we can to satisfy you!

So, which bottle will you choose?