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The diversity of Bordeaux wines

The wine region of Bordeaux is world-renowned for both the quality and diversity of its wines. With over 110 000 hectares under AOC, it is also the largest region from this perspective.Benefiting from a  temperate oceanic climate,  diverse soils , and a winemaking tradition spanning over two millennia, Bordeaux is  one of the leading wine regions in France, whether for  red wines or for  white wines ! Here is a summary of the essential information to know about this incredible region, where  Grands Crus, Crus Bourgeois, characterful and enjoyable wines coexist.

Bordeaux grape varieties

The grape varieties used for Bordeaux red wines are mainly  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 AOPs.

Cabernet Sauvignon, powerful, tannic, and structured, brings aromas of black fruits and spices, while  Merlot, softer and fruitier (aromas of cherry, strawberry, etc.), contributes to the roundness, delicacy, and complexity of the wines. Cabernet Franc brings spicy and herbal 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 region's châteaux are renowned for their great expertise when it comes to blending these varieties to bring out the best in them! For white wines, Sauvignon Blanc is highly valued for its structuring acidity and beautiful aromatic expression, while Sémillon brings richness and a creamy texture. Finally, Muscadelle, although used in small proportions, contributes a lovely richness (citrus, floral aromas) and also adds a certain roundness on the palate.

Bordeaux Appellations

The Bordeaux vineyard is home to numerous wine appellations, each with its own distinct characteristics. The region is often divided into 3 sectors : the Left Bank, south of the Garonne, the Right Bank north of the Dordogne, and Entre-deux-Mers which, as its name suggests, is located between the two rivers.

On the Left Bank, you’ll 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 Grand Cru Classification was established. Then, following the Garonne, you will come across the Graves region, notably with  the Pessac-Léognan AOC (Château Smith Haut Lafitte) and finally  Sauternes (Château Haut Bergeron), renowned worldwide for its very high-quality sweet wines.

On the right bank, the most renowned appellations are Pomerol (Château de Valois) and Saint-Émilion (Château Trotte Vieille). Nevertheless, a multitude of other AOCs exist, such as Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux as well as Fronsac, Canon-Fronsac, Lalande-de-Pomerol, and Côtes-de-Castillon.

Between these two sub-regions lies Entre-deux-Mers (Cheval Quancard), renowned for its crisp and lively dry 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.

Bordeaux wines

It is not easy to briefly summarize the type of wines produced in Bordeaux as the region is vast and showcases a diversity of terroirs and climates, allowing for a production that ranges from vintage Grand Cru to the enjoyable wine of a small artisan vineyard. Nevertheless, some key markers exist.

Thus, the prestigious appellations of the Médoc are known for their complex, powerful red wines with a great aging potential. Cabernet Sauvignon reigns supreme here and thrives wonderfully on gravel soils, which favor its ripening.

Saint-Émilion and Pomerol are renowned AOCs known 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 crus are available here for purchase, such as those from Château Smith Haut Lafitte.

Finally, Sauternes is renowned for its sweet wines of incredible aromatic richness. These wines are made from late-harvested grapes affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), giving the bottles available 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, which contributes to the development of'woody aromas and gives the produced vintages excellent aging potential. Nevertheless, a new generation of producers has emerged in France in recent years, eager to break the mold and offer wines (both white and red) for sale that go against conventional wisdom.

In conclusion, Bordeaux is a global treasure of viticulture. With its emblematic grape varieties, prestigious appellations and bottles, diversity of wine styles, and unique terroirs, the region continues to captivate wine enthusiasts from around the world.Whether you are looking for powerful red wines, elegant whites, or intoxicating sweet wines, an impressive array of flavors awaits you! Quality delivery and wines guaranteed in stock Whether you are searching for a single bottle, a magnum, a vintage Grand Cru from a prestigious estate, or bottles at affordable prices,La Cave Éclairée takes care of everything! All our products are guaranteed in stock so you don’t have to wait, and we offer both home delivery and delivery to pick-up points to suit your budget and needs. You can also choose individual bottles from our selection or order your wine in bulk.Every year, we also offer our customers a selection of Bordeaux En Primeur wines. Feel free to subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed!

Our range includes exceptional châteaux, but we are also able to find hidden gem estates from lesser-known appellations that are sure to win your heart. In short, as you can see, from AOC Saint-Émilion to AOP Haut-Médoc, including the Entre-deux-Mers appellation, we do everything possible to satisfy you!

So, which bottle will you choose?