The Bordeaux region is globally popular for making some of the world's best red wines, with over 90% of Bordeaux wines being red.
Bordeaux wine comes from the famous wine region of the same name, located in southwest France. Bordeaux wine meaning lies in any wine that’s produced in the Bordeaux region, and is known for its quality and complexity.
Chateau Puygueraud Cotes de Bordeaux Rouge 2015
The Bordeaux Wine Region
The Bordeaux region covers about 120,000 hectares of vineyards with 65 appellations, each with a unique personality (aka terroir). There are more than 7,500 wine producers in the region that make both red and white wines as well as transcendent sweet wines.
Two major rivers flow through Bordeaux: the Dordogne and Garonne. These rivers come together to form the Gironde estuary, and the water’s influence creates perfect growing conditions for grapes.
The climate in Bordeaux is maritime and temperate. Warm summers help grapes ripen slowly. Cool winters allow vines to rest properly. Ocean breezes moderate temperature changes throughout the year.
Types of Bordeaux Wine
Red Bordeaux Wines
Red wines make up about 90% of all Bordeaux production. These wines are referred to as “claret wines” in some countries. Most red Bordeaux wines blend different grape varieties together in varying proportions based on their location. You’ll often see Cabernet Sauvignon providing the backbone to a wine while Merlot brings a softer texture, Cabernet Franc adding earthiness, Malbec adding simple fruit, and Petit Verdot and Carmenere adding depth and complexity along with another dose of structure.
Chateau La Rame Cadillac Rouge La Charmille 2020
White Bordeaux Wines
White Bordeaux wines represent about the rest 10% of total production. These wines range from bone-dry to lusciously sweet.
Sauvignon Blanc based Bordeaux wines are fresh and crisp wines with citrus notes that have a touch of herbal, grassy notes. Sémillon makes rich, honeyed flavors with waxy textures, and the less seen Muscadelle adds delicate floral aromatics to white blends.
The famous sweet wines of Sauternes use these same grapes to epic effect. The winemakers wait for Noble Rot (Botyrtis Cinerea) to affect the grapes and draw out water which concentrates their sugars naturally leaving a lusciously sweet wine that can age indefinitely.
Chateau La Rame Bordeaux Blanc Sec 2023
Left Bank vs Right Bank
Left Bank Bordeaux
The Left Bank sits west of the Gironde river. This area focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines. The soil contains more gravel and stones which reflect heat up to this occasionally finicky grape..
Famous appellations include Médoc, Haut-Médoc, Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Margaux. The Graves region and Pessac-Léognan also belong to the Left Bank.
Left Bank wines tend to be more structured and tannic. They need longer aging, which is about 20 to 50 years, to reach their peak.
Right Bank Bordeaux
The Right Bank lies east of the Dordogne river. This region specializes in Merlot-based wines. Clay and limestone dominate the soil composition.
Saint-Émilion produces elegant wines with great aging potential. Pomerol makes some of the world's most expensive wines. Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac offer excellent value options.
Right Bank wines are usually softer and more approachable when young. They show ripe fruit flavors earlier than Left Bank wines.
Bordeaux Wine Classifications
1855 Classification
The 1855 Classification ranks the best châteaux from Médoc and Graves. Napoleon III commissioned this system for the Paris Exhibition.
The system has five levels called "Growths." First Growths include five prestigious estates like Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Margaux. Second through Fifth Growths feature 57 other excellent producers.
This classification remains mostly unchanged since 1855. Only Château Mouton Rothschild moved from Second to First Growth in 1973.
Saint-Émilion Classification
Saint-Émilion has its own ranking system. The classification reviews estates every ten years. Premier Grand Cru Classé A represents the highest level with four châteaux.
Premier Grand Cru Classé B includes 14 excellent estates. Grand Cru Classé features 64 quality producers. This system allows for promotion and demotion.
La Grange Neuve de Figeac Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2011
Cru Bourgeois
The Cru Bourgeois category covers quality estates below the 1855 Classification. These wines offer excellent value for money. The classification includes around 250 châteaux from the Médoc.
How Bordeaux Wine is Made
Vineyard Management
Bordeaux producers focus heavily on vineyard care. They prune vines carefully to control grape yields. Lower yields typically produce more concentrated wines.
Harvest timing is crucial in Bordeaux, and producers pick different grape varieties at different times. Merlot ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon.
Winemaking Process
Most Bordeaux wines ferment in temperature-controlled tanks. Some producers use concrete vats or wooden fermenters. Fermentation takes 15 to 30 days depending on the style.
Malolactic fermentation softens the wines' original harsh-tasting acidity. This process converts sharp malic acid into creamy lactic acid. Nearly all red Bordeaux wines undergo this process.
Aging and Blending
Bordeaux wines age in oak barrels for 12 to 24 months. French oak is the traditional choice. New oak adds vanilla and spice flavors.
Blending happens after the first year of aging. Winemakers taste each grape variety separately. They create the final blend based on the vintage's characteristics.
Famous Bordeaux Estates
Iconic First Growths
Château Lafite Rothschild produces elegant, refined wines from Pauillac. Château Latour makes powerful, long-lived wines from the same commune.
Château Margaux creates feminine, fragrant wines with silky textures. Château Haut-Brion represents Graves with earthy, mineral-driven wines.
Château Mouton Rothschild produces bold, artistic wines with distinctive labels. Each vintage features artwork from famous artists.
Right Bank Estates
Château Pétrus makes the most expensive wine in Bordeaux. This Pomerol estate uses almost 100% Merlot grapes.
Château Le Pin produces tiny quantities of ultra-premium Pomerol wine. Château Cheval Blanc creates exceptional Saint-Émilion wines with Cabernet Franc.
Understanding Bordeaux Wine Labels
Bordeaux wine labels contain important information for consumers. The château name appears prominently at the top. The appellation tells you the specific region.
Vintage year indicates when grapes were harvested. Alcohol content appears as a percentage. Bottle volume is typically 750 ml, but many of the best producers also release magnums (or even larger) for collectors who wish to age the wine for very long periods of time. Look for classification information on premium bottles. Terms like "Grand Cru Classé" indicate quality levels.
Best Food Pairings
Red Bordeaux wine pairs excellently with red meat. Lamb complements the wines' herbal notes perfectly. Beef matches well with structured Left Bank wines.
Game birds like duck work beautifully with Merlot-based wines. Aged cheeses enhance the wines' complex flavors.
White Bordeaux pairs with seafood and poultry. Sweet Sauternes matches foie gras and blue cheese wonderfully.
How to Serve Bordeaux Wine
Serve red Bordeaux around 65°F for optimal flavor expression. Young wines benefit from decanting for one to two hours. This process allows wines to breathe and soften.
Older vintages need careful decanting to separate sediment. White Bordeaux should be chilled to 50-55°F before serving.
Use large Bordeaux glasses to concentrate the wine's aromatics. The bowl shape captures and focuses the complex scents. Shop for high-quality Italesse Glassware for the best experience.
Storing Bordeaux
The Bordeaux wine has excellent aging potential. Store bottles on their sides in cool, dark conditions. Ideal temperature ranges from 50-59°F.
Humidity should stay around 70% to keep corks moist. Avoid vibration and temperature fluctuations. Wine cellars or wine refrigerators work best.
Premium Bordeaux wines can age for decades. Some vintages improve for 30 to 50 years. Research specific vintages before purchasing for long-term storage
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a wine collector, enthusiast, or someone who occasionally enjoys a good glass of wine, a Bordeaux wine can be a great choice.
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