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Bordeaux Wines

With 115,000 hectares and 60 appellations, the region of Bordeaux wines is home to the largest AOC vineyard in France. The vines benefit from an oceanic climate, mild in winter and warm in summer. The soils are as rich and varied as the appellations themselves. Among the most famous are: Saint-Émilion such as Château Ausone or Château Cheval Blanc; Margaux along with Château Margaux; Pessac-Léognan along with Château Haut-Brion; Saint-Julien with the Talbot Castle; Sauternes along with Château Yquem, Pomerol along with Pétrus, or Pauillac.

Most Grand Cru Classés, and Bordeaux wines in general, are blends. The most common red grape varieties are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carménère. Two other, less common varieties are also used: Malbec and Petit Verdot. For white wines, the most commonly used varieties are Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle.

Vines have been grown in the Bordeaux region since Roman times. But its reputation dates back to the Middle Ages. In the 13th century, Bordeaux became the main port for exporting wine to England and the Netherlands. The city prospered from the 17th century onward thanks to the colonial trade. The quality of Bordeaux wines was such that they were served to kings and at the French court. The first Bordeaux's classified growths were exhibited at the 1855 World’s Fair in Paris.

The Different Styles of Bordeaux Wines

Of course, the Bordeaux wines enjoy a very high level of recognition and popularity. Even though people generally think of red wine, the Bordeaux-based company also offers white wines, rosé wines, and a selection of sparkling wines. Whether you’re a casual wine lover or a connoisseur, there’s a wine to suit everyone’s taste. The Bordeaux region is a veritable treasure trove for wine production in all its forms.

A unique atmosphere that makes all the difference

Another key point that sets Bordeaux wines : the region’s climate. As mentioned earlier, it has a temperate, oceanic climate. This climate makes it possible to grow grapes, even though the terrain is flat. In addition, rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the region year-round, with relatively rainy autumns. When autumn is mild, it heralds high-quality vintages. The more sunshine there is, the better the grapes will ripen.

More information about Bordeaux wine

Another distinguishing feature of Bordeaux reds, whites, and rosés is that they are almost always blends of two to five grape varieties that complement one another. It is important to note that there are many Bordeaux wine appellations, each offering a way to distinguish between wines: Bordeaux, Superior Bordeaux or even crémant. Compared to these regional appellations, the wines will come from nearly all of the wine-producing communes within them. The diversity and variety of terroirs result in a wide range of wines with diverse characteristics. As for the other appellations, they are classified according to the geographical and climatic characteristics of the terroir. They are therefore grouped into two categories.

• The left banks of the Gironde and Garonne rivers: red wines from the Médoc, red and white wines from the Graves, and wines from the Sauternes region.

• The right banks of the Gironde and the Dordogne: the Blayais, the Bourgeais, and the Libournais.The Entre-deux-Mers region lies between the Dordogne and the Garonne rivers.