Quick Facts about Bordeaux Wine

Wine Region:

  • Bordeaux, Southwest France, France
  • 60 Appellations
  • 296,596 Acres
  • 7,375 Chateaus (Wineries)
  • 10,000 different wines

Sub Areas (Communes):

  • LEFT BANK: Médoc, Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Haut-Médoc, Listrac, Moulis, Margaux
  • RIGHT BANK: Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Fronsac
  • SOUTHWEST: Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Sauternes
  • SOUTHEAST: Entre-Deux-Mers
  • NORTHEAST: Côtes de Blaye, Côtes de Bourg

Quality of Wine:

  • Grand Cru / Grand Cru Classé
    • 1st Growth
    • 2nd Growth
    • 3rd Growth
    • 4th Growth
    • 5th Growth
  • Cru Bourgeois
  • Bordeaux Supérieur – Non-Commune, Basic

Primary Grape Varieties:

  • RED: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec
  • WHITE: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle

Left and Right Banks:

  • Left Bank:
    • Gravel-based soil
    • Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon
    • Communes: Médoc, Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Haut-Médoc, Listrac, Moulis, Margaux
  • Right Bank:
    • Clay-based soil
    • Mostly Merlot
    • Communes: Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Fronsac

Types of Wine:

  • Bordeaux Rouge
    • Grapes
      • Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec
    • Characteristics
      • Cabernet Sauvignon
        • Black Currents, Green Bell Pepper
        • Lot of Structure
        • High Tannins
        • High Acidity
        • Dry
      • Cabernet Franc
        • Red Raspberry
        • Some Structure
        • Adds Acidity
      • Merlot
        • Blackberry, Plum, Tea Leaves
        • Spice, Toast
        • Soft Tannins
        • Mild, Plush
      • Petit Verdot
        • Violets
        • Dark, Opaque Inky Color
        • Strong Tannins
      • Malbec
        • Dark Plummy Fruit, Blueberry
        • Floral Notes
        • Soft Tannins
  • Bordeaux Blanc
    • Grapes
      • Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle
    • Characteristics
      • Citrus
      • Fresh Cut Grass
      • High Acidity
      • Moderate Alcohol
      • Can be aged
    • Pairings
      • Unoaked
        • Shell Fish, Scallops, White Fish
      • Oaked
        • Roasted Chicken, Pork, Risotto

Great Vintages:

    • 1982, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010

Wineries I have Visited: