Bordeaux Wine: Complete Guide
Bordeaux Wine: Complete Guide
Bordeaux wine is any wine produced in the Bordeaux region of France, centred on the city of Bordeaux and covering the whole Gironde department — over 120,000 hectares, making it the largest wine-growing area in France. Average vintages produce over 700 million bottles, ranging from everyday table wine to some of the most expensive and prestigious wines in the world.
History
Wine has been produced in Bordeaux since the 1st century AD. The modern wine industry was shaped by the English marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henry II in 1152, which opened the lucrative English market. The 1855 Classification of the Médoc and Sauternes still defines the hierarchy of the most prestigious châteaux today. 89% of wine produced in Bordeaux is red.
Key Grape Varieties
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon (left bank), Merlot (right bank), Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot.
White: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle.
Major Appellations
Médoc (Left Bank): Home to the famous 1855 Classified Growths including Château Margaux, Lafite, Latour, and Haut-Brion.
Saint-Émilion (Right Bank): Prestigious red wines dominated by Merlot, home to Château Ausone and Cheval Blanc.
Pomerol (Right Bank): Small but mighty, home to the legendary Château Pétrus.
Sauternes & Barsac: World-famous sweet wines made from botrytised grapes.
Entre-Deux-Mers: Between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, producing excellent dry whites.
Visitor Information
Wine tourism: Many Bordeaux châteaux offer tastings and tours. The Cité du Vin in Bordeaux is an excellent starting point. Saint-Émilion is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most beautiful wine towns in the world.
Fun fact: A bottle of 1945 Château Mouton-Rothschild once sold at auction for over $300,000 — one of the most expensive wines ever sold.
- ★ World’s most famous wine region
- ★ 120,000 hectares of vineyards
- ★ 700 million bottles per year
- ★ Home to classified growths
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