Bordeaux wine regions

Bordeaux is one of the world's most famous wine regions, located in southwestern France, centered around the city of Bordeaux. This vast region spans the Gironde department and is naturally divided by the Gironde Estuary into two primary areas: the Left Bank and the Right Bank. These areas encompass various smaller wine-growing regions, each with its own unique characteristics and specialties.

Left Bank

The Médoc and Graves

On the Left Bank of the Gironde Estuary, you'll find the Médoc and Graves regions. The Médoc is divided into two parts: Haut-Médoc to the south and Bas-Médoc (often just called Médoc) to the north. The Haut-Médoc is home to some of Bordeaux's most famous wine-producing villages like St-Estèphe, Pauillac, St.-Julien, and Margaux. These areas are known for their high-quality wines, often made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, giving them a robust and complex character.
 

In Graves, you'll find sub-regions like Pessac-Léognan and Sauternes. Pessac-Léognan is celebrated for both its red and white wines, with Château Haut-Brion being a notable name. Sauternes, including Barsac, is famous for its sweet, botrytized dessert wines made from grapes like Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

St-Estèphe, Pauillac, St.-Julien, and Margaux

• St-Estèphe: Known for its clay-rich soils, this area produces wines with more acidity and less perfume, primarily using Cabernet Sauvignon and a significant amount of Merlot

• Pauillac: This region boasts some of Bordeaux’s highest elevations and is home to three of the five first-growth estates: Château Lafite-Rothschild, Château Latour, and Château Mouton Rothschild. The wines here are powerful and long-lasting.

• St.-Julien: With the smallest production among the major Médoc regions, St.-Julien is known for its balanced and refined wines. Nearly 80% of the vineyards here are classified estates.

• Margaux: The southernmost appellation of Médoc, Margaux has thin, gravelly soils. It’s home to more classified growths than any other region, including the prestigious Château Margaux.

Bas-Médoc and Haut-Médoc

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The Bas-Médoc, now simply called Médoc, stretches from the mouth of the Gironde to St-Estèphe. It produces wines that lean more towards the style of the Right Bank, with a higher proportion of Merlot. The Haut-Médoc, on the other hand, includes well-known appellations like Margaux, St.-Julien, and Pauillac, primarily producing Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines.

 

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Right Bank

Libournais

The Right Bank is known for its clay and limestone soils, perfect for growing Merlot. The Libournais area includes famous appellations like Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.

 

• Saint-Émilion: This historic region is centered around the town of Saint-Émilion. The wines here, predominantly made from Merlot and Cabernet Franc, are rich and velvety. The region’s classification system, first established in 1955, is unique and regularly updated.

• Pomerol: Known for its silky, opulent wines, Pomerol's vineyards are small and concentrated. The wines, made mostly from Merlot, are approachable and enjoyable even when young. Château Pétrus is a standout here, often considered one of the best wines in the world.

Bourg and Blaye

North of Libournais, the areas of Bourg and Blaye are among the oldest wine-producing regions in Bordeaux. They’re known for robust red wines made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and other Bordeaux varietals, as well as sparkling wines and cognac from Sauvignon Blanc and Ugni Blanc.

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Entre-Deux-Mers

Between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers lies the Entre-Deux-Mers region, which produces both red and white wines. However, only the dry whites carry the "Entre-Deux-Mers" appellation. This area is responsible for a significant portion of Bordeaux’s generic AOC wines, including Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur.

Classifications

Bordeaux's classification systems help identify the best wines from different regions. The most famous is the 1855 Classification, which lists top producers (or châteaux) in Médoc, Sauternes, and Barsac. Other classifications include the 1953 Graves classification and the 1955 Saint-Émilion classification, both of which highlight the best estates in their respective regions.
 

Generic Bordeaux
Wines labeled simply as Bordeaux or Bordeaux Supérieur come from any part of the region. These wines are typically more affordable and made by négociants or co-operatives. They include a mix of red, white, and rosé wines, with red Bordeaux made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Bordeaux is a region rich in history, tradition, and diversity. Each sub-region offers something unique, whether it’s the powerful reds of Médoc, the elegant wines of Saint-Émilion, or the sweet treasures of Sauternes. Understanding these nuances can help you better appreciate the incredible wines that come from this iconic region.

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