Simplifying Bordeaux

Understanding Bordeaux France

Sometimes it might feel like European wines try to be confusing to keep out the non-elite wine drinkers.  French wines surely fall into this category.   Especially to the average consumer.  But why does it need to be that way?  It doesn't. With a few simple rules, you can calm your fears about the mystique of Bordeaux.

Although there are 57 different appellations within Bordeaux France, you can broadly break down Bordeaux into 3 main areas.  Red Bordeaux wines come from The Left Bank and The Right Bank which are divided by an estuary.  (In fact, big wine retailers like Total Wine have separate sections for these Banks.)  White Bordeaux wines come from the southern part of Bordeaux.

Merlot is the most planted grape varietal in Bordeaux at 66%.  Other red varietals are Cabernet Sauvignon at 22% and Cabernet Franc at 10% with tiny plantings of Petit Verdot and grape varietals that are mostly found in South America now, like Malbec and Carménère.  For white varietals, Sémillon at 47% slightly edges over the plantings of Sauvignon Blanc at 45% followed by about 5% of Muscadelle.

An important thing to note is that throughout France, a vast majority of the wines produced are blends.  This even includes wines like Champagne, which many people believe is a single varietal.  The same is true of Bordeaux in terms of blends.

Key Points

• Left Bank Bordeaux red wines are blends dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon.  
• Right Bank Bordeaux red wines are blends dominated by Merlot.   Both banks are highly likely to contain both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend as well as other local red varietals.
• White Bordeaux wines, or Bordeaux Blanc as they are called, are blends of predominantly Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
• Wines from Sauternes are sweet white wine blends of Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle created from grapes that have been rotted with Botrytis Cinerea fungus, aka Noble Rot.  The fungus dries out the grapes concentrating the sugars to make this dessert wine.

Major Appellations to know when picking a wine from Bordeaux

• On the Left Bank, you will find the popular appellations of Medoc, Pauillac, and Margeaux.
• On the Right Bank, you will find the popular appellations of St. Emillion and Pomerol.
• Pessac-Léognan and Graves is where you will find dry white wines, whereas Sauternes is known for sweet white wines.

Note: The very famous Château Margaux is known for both red and white wines. So can't go wrong choosing a wine from Château Margaux.