The Wines of Bordeaux

Bordeaux is one of the most important wine regions in the world, enjoyed, collected, and traded for centuries. Located in Western France, along the Garonne River that separates it from Entre-Deux-Mer, which is further separated from the Right Bank by the Gironde River. The two rivers meet to form the Garonne that empties in the Atlantic Ocean. The proximity to the Ocean and therefore to the rest of the world, has made Bordeaux a strategic and wealthy port city. 

Historical Overview

• Bordeaux was part of the dowry when Eleanor of Aquitaine, married future King Henry II of England, in 1152. 
• Controlled by the English for about 300, proved beneficial, especially to Bordeaux. 
• 1453, after the Battle of Castillon, Dutch and German Merchants were established. 
• During the 17th Century, Dutch merchants drained the marshes of the Medoc after recognizing its potential. 
• 1852, Free Trade agreement was established with the English, as well as the establishment of the Railroad. 
• 1869, arrival of Phylloxera in Bordeaux

Bordeaux in Numbers

• 103,200 ha (255,000 acres) Most planted wine region in France
  • 1.5% of the world's acreage
  • 3.8 millions hl produced per year; 0.5 Billion Bottles per year
  • 5000 Winegrowers
  • 300 Merchants
  • 32 Cooperratives
• Grapes
  • Red Grapes Account for 89% of plantings
  • White Grapes Account for 11% of plantings; 3% of which is dedicated to Sweet wine production
  • Merlot; Most Planted; 66% of plantings
  • Cabernet Sauvignon Accounts for just 22% of plantings
    

Geography and Climate

• 45th Parallel; Same latitude as Napa Valley or Hawke's Bay New Zealand
• Moderate Oceanic Influence
• Landes Forest, west of Bordeaux, protects the region from northern winds

Permitted Grapes

• White:
  • Sauvignon Blanc 44%
  • Semillon 43%
  • Muscadelle 5%
  • Complimentary Varieties: 8% combined; Sauvignon Gris, Colombard, 
• Red:
  • Merlot: 66%
  • Cabernet Sauvignon: 22%
  • Cabernet Franc 9%
  • Complimentary Varieties: (3% combined) Malbec, Petit Verdot, Carmenère

Combating Climate Change; Variété d’intérêt à fin d’adaptation

Varieties for adaptation purposes (5% maximum of the vineyard acreage; 10% maximum of the blend)

• White: Alvarinho and Liliorila 
• Red: Arinarnoa, Castets, Marselan, and Touriga Nacional 
  • Arinarnoa: Tannat X Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Marselan: Cabernet Sauvignon X Grenache
  • Castets: grape variety from Aveyron, north of Montpelier; synonym: Maturana Tinta
  • Liliorila: Chardonnay X Baroque

Map courtesy of C.I.V.B

The Bordeaux Divide and the main AOPs

• Left Bank
• Mainly gravel soils, mainly derived from erosion from the Pyrenees Mountains and the Massif Central.  
  • Medoc
    • Important Villages: Saint-Estephe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux
    • Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon Based Blends
  • Graves
    
    • Important Villages: Pessac-Leognan, Sauternes
    • Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc/ Semillon based wines. 
• Right Bank
• Soils are mainly derived from marine and fluvial sedimentation and erosion within the Aquitaine Basin. 
  • Most important wine communes: Saint-Emilion, Pomerol
  • Secondary Appellations: Lalande-de-Pomerol, Fronsac, Canon Fronsac

• Entre-Deux-Mers;
  • Until recently, devoted to white wine only, red wines introduced in 2025
  • Sweet wine appellations: Cadillac, Loupiac, Sainte-Croix-du-Mont

In the Cellar

• White Wines: depending on the region and producer, they can be fermented and aged in Stainless Steel, Oak, Concrete or a combination. 
• Red Wines: Almost always destemmed, and depending on the region and producer, they can be fermented and aged in Stainless Steel, Oak, Concrete or a combination. 

Classifications of Bordeaux; Complete list here

• Medoc 1855
  • First Growths: 
    • Latour
    • Mouton Rothchild - elevated in 1973; label painted by Picasso
    • Lafite Rothchild
    • Margaux 
    • Haut-Brion
  • Super Seconds, Thirds, etc
    • Montrose
    • Cos d'Estournel
    • Palmer
    • Lynch Bages
• Sauternes 1855
  • Premier Grand Cru Classe Superieur
    • Yquem
  • Premier Grand Cru
    • Coutet
    • Climens
    • Suduiraut

• Saint-Emilion Cru Classe 1954- Revised every ten years; lawsuits follow...
  • Premier Grand Cru Classes
  • 85 Chateaux
    • 14 Premier Grand Cru Classes (A and B)
    • 71 Grand Cru Classe
  • Premier Grand Cru Classe A
    • Angelus (Did not reapply in 2022)
    • Ausone (Withdrew)
    • Cheval Blanc (withdrew)
    • Pavie (Promoted in 2012)
    • Figeac (Promoted in 2022) 
      

      Chateau Cheval Blanc and Ausone were the original classified top growths in the Sain-Emilion. In 2012, Angelus was promoted and then Pavie eventually Figeac. Once all the other Chateau were elevated, the two original properties believed the classification had become too loose and was no longer serving them. It's also worth noting that Chateau Figeac- historic and exceptional property- applied 4 times for the top classification before it was finally elevated. 

How to serve, what to buy, how long to keep it? 

• What to buy? 
• What are the best vintages?
• What should I enjoy it with? 
• How long should I keep it? 
• How to serve? Should I decant? 

1. Chateau Reynier, Bordeaux, France 2023 Retail Price: $19.99
2. Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France 2020 Retail Price: $146.99
3. Chateau Roquefort, Bordeaux, France 2019 Retail Price: $17.99
4. Chateau La Dominique, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe, Bordeaux, France 2011 Retail Price: $69.99
5. Chateau Branaire-Ducru, Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France 2014 Retail Price: $68.99
6. Chateau Doisy-Vedrines, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France 2004 Retail Price: $58.99

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