Bordeaux Wine Region

Bordeaux Wine Regions

Bordeaux Wine Region

Vineyards on the Left Bank, the Médoc


Bordeaux is one of the world's most famous and prestigious wine regions, located in the southwest of France. It is known for its exceptional wines, diverse terroirs, and historic vineyards. Here is an overview of Bordeaux wines and some of the notable vineyards and sub-regions within Bordeaux:

Bordeaux Wine Types:

  1. Red Bordeaux: The majority of Bordeaux's production is red wine, typically blends made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grapes. These wines can range from light and fruity to bold and tannic, depending on the specific blend and terroir.

  2. White Bordeaux: White Bordeaux wines are made from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle grapes. They can vary from crisp and refreshing to rich and sweet, with Sauternes and Barsac being famous for their sweet white wines.

Bordeaux Sub-Regions:

  1. Left Bank: The left bank of the Gironde River includes the Médoc and Graves regions, which are known for their red wines. Some renowned appellations in this area include Pauillac, Margaux, Saint-Julien, and Saint-Estèphe.

  2. Right Bank: The right bank of the Gironde River includes areas like Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, which are also known for their red wines, often made predominantly from Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes. These wines are known for their rich, velvety character.

  3. Entre-Deux-Mers: This is a large region between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, known for producing white Bordeaux wines, particularly dry whites. The sub-region of Graves is known for both red and white wines.

  4. Sauternes and Barsac: These sub-regions are famous for their sweet white wines, produced from grapes affected by the noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). Château d'Yquem is one of the most prestigious producers in Sauternes.

Château Pichon Longueville Baron - Pauillac Médoc

Château Pichon Longueville Baron in Pauillac, Médoc


Bordeaux Classifications:

  1. Bordeaux Classification of 1855 - Médoc, Sauternes, Barsac et Graves


  3. https://vineyards.com/wine-region/crus-classes-bordeaux-1855

Saint Emilion Vineyard

Vineyards of Saint Emilion - the Right Bank


Bordeaux Classification of 1955 - Saint-Émilion


The Saint-Émilion wine classification was revised in 2022 :

https://vineyards.com/wine-region/crus-classes-saint-emilion