Bordeaux - Wine Regions
Left Bank
The Left Bank of Bordeaux is home to some of the world’s most prestigious wine appellations, including Médoc and Graves. This region is renowned for producing powerful and structured red wines primarily made from Cabernet Sauvignon. The Left Bank is also where the famous 1855 Bordeaux Classification took place, establishing some of the top châteaux like Château Margaux, Château Lafite Rothschild, and Château Latour. The terroir is characterized by gravelly soils that provide excellent drainage and help ripen Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Key appellations include Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Margaux.
Right Bank
The Right Bank of Bordeaux is known for its Merlot-dominant wines, which are softer, rounder, and more approachable at a younger age compared to those from the Left Bank. The region’s most famous appellations include Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. Château Cheval Blanc, Château Ausone, and Château Pétrus are among the iconic producers in this area. The Right Bank’s terroir is more diverse, with a mix of clay and limestone soils that are ideal for Merlot. This region is celebrated for producing wines with rich fruit flavors, velvety tannins, and great aging potential.
Entre-Deux-Mers
Entre-Deux-Mers is located between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers and is known primarily for its white wines. This sub-region produces crisp, dry whites made predominantly from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle. The region is also home to some red and sweet wine production, though it is less famous for these styles compared to other parts of Bordeaux. Entre-Deux-Mers is characterized by rolling hills, diverse soils, and a mix of large estates and smaller family-run vineyards. The area’s wines are often enjoyed young and pair beautifully with seafood and light dishes.
Graves
Graves, located in the southern part of Bordeaux’s Left Bank, is the only Bordeaux sub-region known for producing high-quality red, white, and sweet wines. The region’s red wines are typically made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, while the whites are often Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon blends. Graves is also home to the legendary sweet wine appellation of Sauternes, known for its luxurious botrytized dessert wines. The terroir is distinguished by its gravelly soils, which give the wines their unique minerality and structure. Château Haut-Brion, a Premier Cru, is the most famous estate in this region.
Sauternes and Barsac
Sauternes and Barsac are famous for producing some of the world’s most sought-after sweet wines. Located in the southern part of the Graves region, these appellations benefit from the unique climatic conditions that allow the development of noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), which concentrates the sugars and flavors in the grapes. The resulting wines are lusciously sweet with complex notes of apricot, honey, and marmalade, balanced by vibrant acidity. Château d’Yquem, often considered the greatest sweet wine producer in the world, is located in Sauternes. These wines are prized for their aging potential and are often paired with rich dishes like foie gras and blue cheese.