Bordeaux is a wine-producing region in southwest France
- Bordeaux is a city
- Bordeaux is a collection of wines that come from that area
Bordeaux wine comes in a variety of styles, but they can generally be grouped into three types:
- White Bordeaux wines are blended wines made in Bordeaux primarily with the Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes
- Red Bordeaux wines are blended wines made in Bordeaux, mainly from six grapes that include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Carmenere.
- Dessert wine such as Sauternes
Where does Bordeaux come from?
All Bordeaux wine comes from the famous wine region in Southwest France. The Bordeaux wine region is considered the birthplace of wine culture, has been the world’s leading source of high-quality red wines for more than 200 years. With some 13,000 producers working approximately 300,000 acres of vines, no other wine region has so many wineries making so much excellent wine.
If you want to learn more about the Bordeaux wine region, head to our Guide to Bordeaux to learn everything about this area!
How is Bordeaux made?
Winemaking in Bordeaux set the mold for so many wine regions around the world. The techniques vary for each style of Bordeaux, but they all start with wine grapes that are picked, fermented into wine, aged in oak, and then bottled.
White Bordeaux wines are a blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes are harvested, and the juice is pressed off the skin right away, so it stays clear. Yeast is then added to the juice to allow it to ferment into wine. The wine is then aged, usually in neutral oak, blended, and then bottled.
Red Bordeaux wines are made by blending wine that can be from any of the six purple grapes permitted by law: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Carmenere.
- In the Medoc on the Left Bank, which includes the wine regions of Pauillac, Margaux, and Pomerol, most blends star the Cabernet Sauvignon grape
- On the Right Bank, in areas like St. Emilion, the wines feature Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes
Both wines start with ripe grapes, and each variety of grape is harvested, cold-soaked, and then fermented into wine on its own.
The winemaker moves the wines into oak barrels to age, tasting each barrel over several months checks the progress. When he likes the flavor, the wines are blended to create a more balanced wine and then bottled.
What kind of wine is Bordeaux wine?
The word Bordeaux usually means a dry red wine made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, or one of the noble Bordeaux grapes permitted in the Bordeaux AOC. The region also produces White Bordeaux by blending Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes, and there are some dry Bordeaux rosé wines as well as sweet wines like Sauternes, a late harvest dessert wine.
Is Bordeaux wine sweet or dry?
Most Bordeaux wines are dry, but the region also produces some exceptional sweet wines like Sauternes and Barsac. Sauternes the most famous dessert wine in the world, made from late-harvested grapes. If you like lush and honeyed dessert wines, look for Sauternes. Sweet Barsac wines are lighter with brighter acidity.
What does Bordeaux wine taste like?
What Bordeaux wines taste like depends by the style, as Bordeaux produces red, white, rosé, and dessert wines. Overall, wines from Bordeaux tend to have brighter acidity and lower alcohol compared to similar wines from the United States since Bordeaux is a cooler climate to produce wines.
Is Bordeaux a good wine?
Bordeaux is one of the best wines in the world. These wines were reserved for kings in the past, and thanks to the strict standards for growing and making wine, you can always find outstanding wine from Bordeaux.
What does Bordeaux wine go with?
With the range of red wine, white wine, rosé wine, and late harvest dessert wines from Bordeaux, there’s a wine that pairs with any food imaginable. Red Bordeaux wines classically pair with lamb and beef, while White Bordeaux is terrific to pair with fish, shellfish, chicken, and pork. Bordeaux Rosé is perfect with grilled pork and salmon, while Sauternes and Barsac shine with blue cheese, aged Gouda, foie gras, and some peach desserts. As a rule of thumb, make sure whatever wine you pair with the dessert is sweeter than what's on the plate.
Should Bordeaux wine be chilled?
How to serve wine is entirely a matter of preference, but most believe Bordeaux wine should be served chilled. France is where the standards for serving Bordeaux originated, and red wines from Bordeaux are best to serve at cellar temperature, which means about 57 degrees Fahrenheit. White Bordeaux should be chilled a little bit more, around 49 degrees. Dessert wines like Sauternes should be served similar to white wines from Bordeaux, around 49 degrees.
Why is Bordeaux wine famous?
Since ancient times, the Bordeaux region has produced a large quantity of outstanding wine prized by Popes and royalty. Today, Bordeaux has around 20,000 wine producers that make 68 million cases of red wine each year! For many people, Bordeaux is where the best, high-quality wine was born in the modern era. Here are some of the reasons Bordeaux wines are famous:
- In 1855, all the wines of Bordeaux were rated for quality and classified, so consumers could better know what to expect from a particular winery. First growth wineries or chateaux are the top-quality level.
- Each year, the new vintage of Bordeaux is highly anticipated because the wines change with the weather and growing season. Some people track the best Bordeaux vintages the way others remember baseball stats. The 2016 Bordeaux vintage is expected to be one of the best Bordeaux vintages this decade.
- The wines of Bordeaux are also unique because of the way they express the taste of a particular vineyard or town. Many of these wines have a remarkable ability for aging, lasting for 20 years or more.
What is the difference between Bordeaux and Burgundy wines?
Bordeaux and Burgundy are two different regions of France, and different grapes are grown in each area. Bordeaux is home to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc, while Burgundy is all about Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Both regions grow the grapes that thrive in their unique soils and climates.
Is Bordeaux the same as Cabernet Sauvignon?
Yes, Bordeaux can often mean a Cabernet Sauvignon, but not always. While Cabernet Sauvignon is the most famous Bordeaux grape, other parts of Bordeaux specialize in Merlot, Cabernet Franc, or Sauvignon Blanc. Many of the wines that come out of the different areas of Bordeaux are blends of these grapes.
What are the most famous Bordeaux wine brands?
Total Wine & More has all the most popular Bordeaux wine brands. With such a wide selection, you can be sure to find a Bordeaux that you’ll enjoy! Some of our most popular brands include:
Browse our full selection of Bordeaux wines and take home a couple of bottles of one of the best wines in the world.
Want to learn more about Bordeaux?
Visit our Guide to Bordeaux to learn more about red, white, and sweet Bordeaux from St. Emilion, Pomerol, Medoc, and Sauternes.
