Bordeaux Wine Region

Bordeaux, France as a Wine Region

Bordeaux. The region is one of the largest, if not the largest, in the world. If Bordeaux were a country, it would rank 5th in wine production on its own! That's a lot of wine. And while Bordeaux is often associated with expensive bottles meant for decades in the cellar, the majority of Bordeaux wine is meant to be drunk young and enjoyed with food.
Geography: Located off the Atlantic Ocean in southwest France, Bordeaux is most often separated into two parts –the right bank and the left bank. On the left bank, Cabernet Sauvignon rules, and the Medoc region hugs the west side of the Gironde river. Within the Medoc are the four top communes of (from north to south) St.-Estphe, Paulliac, St.-Julien and Margaux. These communes make some pretty sought-after red wines from chateaux with big names. Being that the main grape is Cabernet Sauvignon, the wines are fairly tannic and muscular. Below the Medoc, following the river as it turns, lies the Graves region. Named as such for its gravelly soils, Graves is home to some top white wine regions like Pessac-Léognan (for dry whites) and the sweet wine regions of Sauternes and Barsac.
The right bank of Bordeaux is where Merlot and Cabernet Franc shine best. Merlot is typically used more in the blends, which means the wines of the right bank are often slightly softer and rounder than the left bank Cabernet-based wines. The heart of the right bank is the city of St.-Émilion and the wine region that surrounds it. Next door is Pomerol, a small but intense red wine producer. Other areas include Côtes du Bourg & Côtes du Blaye, Fronsac & Canon-Fronsac, and Ctes de Castillon. Bordeaux has other regions that are making wine – some of it great value!

France as a Wine Country

Capital: Paris
Currency: Euro

When it comes to wine, France is a classic. Classic blends, grapes and styles began in the country and they still remain. Think about it - people ask for a Burgundian style Pinot Noir, they refer to wines as Bordeaux or Rhone blends - Champagne even had to pass a law to stop international wineries from putting their region on the label of all sparkling wine.
The top regions of France are: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Languedoc-Roussillon, Loire, Rhone. And these regions are so diverse! It makes sense that wine regions throughout the world try to emulate their style. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are no longer French varieties, but international varieties. They may not be the leader of cutting edge technology or value-priced wines, but there is no doubt that they are still producing wines of great quality and diversity.





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