BORDEAUX WINE

Bordeaux, situated in southwestern France, is celebrated as one of the world’s premier wine regions, particularly for its red wines, which are often crafted as blends.

The iconic Bordeaux red blend includes Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, along with smaller amounts of Malbec and Petit Verdot. The proportions vary based on Bordeaux subregions and the winemaker's preferences.

The Left Bank, including Médoc and Graves, is known for Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wines that are structured and tannic, featuring flavors of blackcurrant, plum and graphite with notable oak influence, and the potential for aging.

Merlot shines as the primary grape in Right Bank regions like Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, producing wines with a softer, rounder profile and flavors of plum, blackberry and sometimes chocolate.

Aging in oak barrels often enhances these red blends with aromas and flavors of vanilla, toast and baking spices. The finest bottles can age for decades, evolving with intricate secondary and tertiary notes.

Beyond reds, Bordeaux is also admired for its dry white wines, rosés and sweet wines like Sauternes. Whether you favor Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Malbec, Bordeaux offers a blend to suit your taste.

In southwestern France, the Bordeaux wine region surrounds the city of Bordeaux and spans approximately 296,000 acres of vineyards.

Bordeaux’s landscape offers a range of soil types, and its maritime climate creates a unique terroir. The warm summers and mild winters, influenced by Atlantic Ocean breezes, create optimal conditions for grape cultivation.

The region is divided into two primary winemaking areas—the Left Bank and Right Bank—separated by the Gironde estuary and the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. The Left Bank features gravelly soils, ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon, while the Right Bank’s clay soils are known for producing some of the world’s finest Merlot wines.

Although grapes have been cultivated in Bordeaux for centuries, it wasn’t until the 19th century that Bordeaux gained recognition as one of France’s premier regions for quality wine production. Many of the most renowned Bordeaux wine labels are named after appellations grown in classified châteaux, distinguished as “First Growth” in the 1855 Bordeaux Wine Official Classification. These châteaux still uphold the esteemed winemaking traditions that earned them acclaim, continuing to produce refined and exceptional Bordeaux wines to this day.

The Bordeaux wine region is divided into several sub-regions, each with its unique terroir and winemaking styles. Some of the best-known include:

Médoc: Perhaps the most famous of Bordeaux’s Left Bank regions, the Médoc is celebrated for its Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The gravelly, well-draining soil here allows for the production of concentrated grapes rich in blackberry flavors.

Graves: Named after its gravel-based soil, Graves is the only Left Bank region where both red and white wines are widely produced. Red wines are typically blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, while whites are primarily made from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.

Saint-Émilion: Located on the Right Bank, Saint-Émilion features a varied terroir of limestone, clay, and gravel soils, providing an ideal environment for Merlot, which produces wines with a lush texture and rich black-fruit notes.

Pomerol: Known for its smooth, velvety Merlot wines, Pomerol’s unique terroir includes iron-rich soil that enhances the wine’s character and aging potential.

Entre-Deux-Mers: This area, with its limestone, clay and sandy soils (and oceanic climate), is renowned for its high-quality white wines. Often made from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle, these wines are prized for their freshness, acidity and balance.

Some of Bordeaux’s most esteemed wine brands include:

Château Lafite Rothschild: Known for its exceptional finesse and complex bouquet of blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco and spices. As one of Bordeaux’s five First Growth châteaux, Château Lafite Rothschild blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, creating one of the region's most exquisite wines.

Château Latour: Another prestigious First Growth estate, Château Latour crafts its wine from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot grapes, carefully hand-picked and selected to ensure only the finest grapes make it into the final blend.

Château Margaux: Renowned for its meticulous approach to winemaking, Château Margaux’s wines are typically aged in oak barrels, resulting in elegant, refined styles. The blend includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

Château Haut-Brion: Also among the five First Growth châteaux, Château Haut-Brion is known for its powerful structure and complexity. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, these wines offer rich flavors of black currant, tobacco and spice.

Château Cheval Blanc: Known for its predominant use of Cabernet Franc, Château Cheval Blanc’s wines feature a unique profile with a silky texture and notes of earth, spice and leather.

White Bordeaux is primarily crafted from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle grapes.

Based on the winemaking method, these wines can range in style from bone-dry (with vibrant acidity and herbal nuances), to sweet styles like Sauternes, one of the world’s most renowned dessert wines. White Bordeaux is frequently aged in oak barrels, which can impart subtle hints of vanilla, toast, coconut and warming spices.

Explore our collection of exceptional White Bordeaux wines.

Bordeaux red wines are celebrated for their depth and complexity. Their balanced combination of fruit, acidity and tannins makes them versatile for food pairings, especially with red meats and aged cheeses.

Red meat and game: Bordeaux wines pair beautifully with red meats and game, as the wine’s tannins cut through the richness of the meat, allowing the flavors to truly shine.

Cheese: From blue cheese to Cheddar and Gouda, Bordeaux reds pair excellently with various cheeses. The robust tannins complement the firm textures, while the fruit flavors enhance the savory notes.

Dark chocolate: Full-bodied dark chocolate desserts amplify the wine’s tannins and fruity undertones.

Roasted vegetables: Grilled or roasted vegetables harmonize well with a red Bordeaux wine’s savory flavors.