Bordeaux in Your Glasses

Amazing not, Bordeaux alone has got 60 appellations.

More than 9,000 wine-producing châteaux and 13,000 wine growers, Bordeaux is one of the most important wine-producing regions in the world, which produces one third of French wines of good quality.


photo credit: www.nicks.com.au
This map was originally published online at www.nicks.com.au
(60 Appellations in Bordeaux)

At the moment, these 60 appellations are grouped under 6 families by their styles.

1. Bordeaux & Bordeaux Superieur (4)
- Mostly made from Merlot-based blends. They show bright color, a clean deep, appealing red fruit nose and the classic balance of alcohol, acidity and tannin are the hallmarks

* Bordeaux
* Bordeaux Supérieur
* Bordeaux Clairet
* Bordeaux Rosé

2. Medoc & Graves (10)
- Primarily made from Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines are distinguished by blackcurrant aromas, balanced tannin and medium to high acidity

* Graves
* Haut-Médoc
* Listrac-Médoc
* Margaux
* Médoc
* Moulis-en-Médoc
* Pauillac
* Pessac-Léognan
* Saint-Estèphe
* Saint-Julien

3. Cotes de Bordeaux (8)
- The Côtes de Bordeaux vineyards (their name comes from the hillsides along the right bank of the Garonne and the Dordogne Rivers) are spread across Bordeaux, producing mostly Merlot-based wines. The various Côtes appellations of the Bordeaux region are light-to medium-bodied wines with a fine bouquet and color

* Bordeaux Côtes de Francs
* Blaye
* Côtes de Bourg
* Côtes de Castillon
* Graves de Vayres
* Premières Côtes de Blaye
* Premières Côtes de Bordeaux
* Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux

4. St Emilion, Pomerol & Fronsac (10)
- Primarily made from Merlot and Cabernet Franc. These wines are deep in color with structure combined with a distinctive velvety texture. They are medium-to full-bodied and can be enjoyed young or aged to bring out their full complexity

* Canon Fronsac
* Fronsac
* Lalande-de-Pomerol
* Lussac-Saint-Emilion
* Montagne-Saint-Emilion
* Pomerol
* Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion
* Saint-Emilion
* Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
* Saint-Georges-Saint-Emilion

5. Dry White Wines (13)
- Usually made up of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle. They are vibrant and fresh with loads of natural acidity

* Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux
* Bordeaux & Bordeaux Sec
* Bordeaux Haut-Benauge
* Côtes de Bourg
* Côtes de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire
* Côtes de Bourg
* Entre-Deux-Mers
* Entre-Deux-Mers-Haut-Benauge
* Francs Côtes de Bordeaux (blanc)
* Graves
* Graves de Vayres
* Pessac-Léognan
* Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux (blanc)

6. Sweet White Wines (15)
- Dominant variety is Semillon. They are medium to full-bodied

* Barsac
* Bordeaux
* Bordeaux Supérieur
* Bordeaux-Haut-Benauge
* Cadillac
* Cérons
* Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire
* Francs Côtes de Bordeaux
* Graves de Vayres
* Graves Supérieures
* Loupiac
* Premières Côtes de Bordeaux
* Sainte-Croix-du-Mont
* Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux
* Sauternes

To summarize:

1/ Good value red or white from Bordeaux, look for “Bordeaux” or “Bordeaux Supérieur” or "Bordeaux Blanc"

2/ Cabernet Sauvignon, look for a wine from the Médoc or Graves

3/ Merlot, look for a wine from Saint-Emilion, Pomerol or Fronsac

4/ Sauvignon Blanc or Sémillon, look for a wine from Graves or Entre-Deux-Mers; and Bordeaux Blanc

5/ Dry White Wines are usually made up of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle

6/ Sweet White Wines are typically made from Sémillon grapes grown in Sauternes and Barsac

sources: www.bordeaux.com, www.bordeauxwinebureau.org (1), www.bordeauxwinebureau.org (2)