Translation missing: en.Bordeaux: Bordeaux

Bordeaux is home to some of the most iconic and expensive wines in the world. This is the home of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot - the foundations of the classic “Bordeaux Blend”. The left bank of Bordeaux is where Cabernet is more dominant and the right bank is where Merlot reigns. The 1855 Classification of Bordeaux is an important moment in the history of wine as it sought to essentially rank the Châteaux of the left bank into 5 tiers - from First Growth to Fifth Growth. Although this list is no longer 100% accurate, the First Growth producers are still generally regarded as the best: Château Latour, Château Margaux, Château Lafite-Rothschild, Château Mouton-Rothschild (added in 1973) and Château Haut-Brion. There are also some very underrated white wines made using Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle which can appeal to Chardonnay drinkers and of course, some of the best sweet wines in the world made in Sauternes from grapes containing Noble Rot. 

LOCATION:
Bordeaux is located on the west coast of France by the Atlantic Ocean where the Gironde River separates the region into a left and right bank.

TERROIR:
Bordeaux has a maritime climate with a decent amount of rainfall and very flat terrain. The left-bank is slightly warmer and has more gravel soils where Cabernet Sauvignon is dominant, whereas the right-bank has more clay-based soils with some limestone where Merlot is more dominant.

VARIETIES:
The main red grapes in Bordeaux are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot and white grapes used for both dry and sweet wines are Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle.

PRODUCERS:

Château Latour, Château Margaux, Château Haut-Brion, Château Lafite-Rothschild, Château Mouton-Rothschild, Petrus, Cheval Blanc, Vieux Château Certan, Château Lafleur, Château Ausone, Château Pavie, Château Montrose, Château Canon, Château Cos D’Estournel, Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Château Leoville-Barton, Château Pontet-Canet