Bordeaux is one of the greatest and most historically significant wine producing regions in the world, with a winemaking heritage stretching back to Roman times. Located in southwestern France along the Gironde Estuary, the region produces approximately 700 million bottles of wine per year across more than 60 appellations — making it the largest fine wine region on earth. The city of Bordeaux itself has been a major trading port since the Middle Ages, and it was the English export trade during the 12th through 15th centuries that helped establish Bordeaux's global reputation.

The region is divided into two widely known areas — the "Left Bank" and the "Right Bank" — referring to which side of the Gironde Estuary and its tributaries the vineyards are located. The two banks differ not only in geography but in the dominant grape used in their signature red blends. In Bordeaux, the focus is on blended wines rather than single-varietal bottlings — it is the combination of grapes, soil and climate (terroir) that defines each wine.

Unlike most of France, Bordeaux wine labels typically do not list the grapes used. Instead, the label identifies the château (estate) or the appellation where the grapes were grown.

Red Grapes of Bordeaux: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenère. In early 2021, Bordeaux winemakers were permitted to add six new grape varieties to their blends in response to climate change.

White Grapes of Bordeaux: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle are the primary varieties, with small amounts of Sauvignon Gris also permitted. Of white grapes planted, approximately 49% is Sémillon, 43% Sauvignon Blanc, 6% Muscadelle and less than 2% Sauvignon Gris.

Wines that do not fall under a specific AOC may use the generic Bordeaux AOC (established 1936) on their label.

The 1855 Classification

At the request of Emperor Napoleon III for the Paris Universal Exhibition, Bordeaux wine brokers created a formal classification of the finest Médoc châteaux in 1855. The Classification ranked 61 estates into five tiers — Premier Cru (First Growth) through Cinquième Cru (Fifth Growth) — based primarily on the prices the wines had historically commanded. Château Haut-Brion from the Graves district was the only non-Médoc estate included.

The five First Growths (Premiers Crus) are:

  • Château Lafite Rothschild (Pauillac)

  • Château Latour (Pauillac)

  • Château Margaux (Margaux)

  • Château Haut-Brion (Pessac-Léognan, Graves)

  • Château Mouton Rothschild (Pauillac) — elevated from Second to First Growth in 1973, the only official change to the Classification in its 170-year history

Sauternes was classified separately in 1855, with Château d'Yquem designated as the sole Premier Cru Supérieur — a tier above all others.

Saint-Émilion developed its own separate classification system, first established in 1955 and revised periodically since.

Pomerol has never had an official classification, yet it is home to Château Pétrus, which commands some of the highest prices of any wine in Bordeaux.

Left Bank

Located west of the Gironde Estuary and Garonne River, the Left Bank is Bordeaux's most celebrated wine country. Its red blends are built on a foundation of Cabernet Sauvignon, typically comprising 70% or more of the blend, with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec used in smaller amounts to add complexity and soften the final product. Left Bank wines are known for their structure, firm tannins and outstanding aging potential.

The Left Bank is also the only bank to produce white wines of note, based on Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle. The most famous white wine-producing sub-region is Sauternes, located within Graves.

Médoc AOC (established 1936) — The name Médoc refers to the entire peninsula region north of Bordeaux. The Médoc AOC covers the northern, flatter portion of the peninsula, producing red blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Areas not covered by the prestigious commune appellations fall under either the Médoc or Haut-Médoc designation.

Haut-Médoc AOC (established 1936) — Covers the southern, more prestigious portion of the Médoc peninsula. The Haut-Médoc AOC applies to areas between and around the six famous communes. The wines tend to be more complex and structured than basic Médoc.

Pauillac AOC (established 1936) — Perhaps the most celebrated commune in all of Bordeaux. Pauillac is home to three of the five 1855 First Growths: Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour and Château Mouton Rothschild. The wines are powerful, structured and long-lived, built primarily on Cabernet Sauvignon, with flavors of blackcurrant, cedar and tobacco.

Margaux AOC (established 1954) — Located in the southern Médoc, Margaux produces some of the most elegant and perfumed wines on the Left Bank. Home to Château Margaux, one of the five First Growths. The wines tend to be more feminine and aromatic than those of Pauillac, with floral notes and silky tannins.

Saint-Estèphe AOC (established 1936) — The northernmost of the famous Médoc communes. Cabernet Sauvignon performs best along the Gironde estuary while Merlot excels further inland. Saint-Estèphe wines are typically the most tannic and robust of the Médoc communes, with excellent aging potential.

Saint-Julien AOC (established 1936) — The smallest of the Médoc commune appellations by production, Saint-Julien produces exclusively red wines. Often considered the most consistent appellation in Bordeaux, these wines fall stylistically between the power of Pauillac and the elegance of Margaux, with flavors of cassis, plum and cedar.

Moulis AOC (established 1938) — The most inland of the Médoc commune appellations, Moulis produces structured, full-bodied red wines. The higher proportion of clay soils allows Merlot to play a greater role than in the more Cabernet-dominated communes to the east.

Listrac-Médoc AOC (established 1957) — Located further inland on higher ground, Listrac-Médoc has the highest elevation of any Médoc commune. The cooler clay soils favor Merlot and produce wines that are firm, earthy and built for aging, though generally less well-known than their neighboring communes.

Right Bank

The Right Bank, known to the French as Le Libournais, sits to the right of the Dordogne River and the Gironde Estuary. Here, Merlot is the dominant grape, producing wines that are generally rounder, plummier and more approachable in their youth than the tannic, Cabernet-driven wines of the Left Bank. Right Bank wines are often described as lush and velvety.

The three primary appellations of the Right Bank are Saint-Émilion, Pomerol and Fronsac.

Saint-Émilion AOC (san-tay-mee-lee-yawn) (established 1936) — One of Bordeaux's most ancient wine towns, with a winemaking history dating to Roman times. Merlot comprises 50% to 80% of the blends, with Cabernet Franc playing the primary supporting role. Saint-Émilion has its own separate classification system, first established in 1955.

The satellites of Saint-Émilion — smaller appellations located to the north across the Barbanne River — may append the Saint-Émilion name to their own:

  • Montagne-Saint-Émilion AOC

  • Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion AOC

  • Lussac-Saint-Émilion AOC

  • Puisseguin-Saint-Émilion AOC

Pomerol AOC (established 1936) — A small, prestigious appellation producing exclusively red wines dominated by Merlot, typically 80% or more of the blend, with Cabernet Franc making up most of the remainder. Pomerol has never had an official classification, yet it is home to Château Pétrus — one of the most sought-after and expensive wines in the world. The wines are rich, velvety and plum-driven, with a characteristic truffle and iron quality derived from Pomerol's unique clay soils.

  • Lalande-de-Pomerol AOC — The northern neighbor of Pomerol, producing similar Merlot-dominant wines at more accessible prices.

Fronsac AOC (established 1936) — Located just west of Pomerol, Fronsac produces red blends and is considered an undervalued appellation offering good quality at approachable prices.

  • Canon-Fronsac AOC — The finest sub-zone within Fronsac.

Côtes de Bordeaux AOC (established 2009) — In 2009, four formerly separate appellations were unified under this umbrella designation: Côtes de Blaye, Côtes de Francs, Côtes de Castillon and Côtes de Cadillac.

Côtes de Bourg AOC (established 1936) — Located on the right bank of the Gironde, across from the Médoc. Produces mostly red wines from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, offering solid everyday drinking at approachable prices.

Entre-Deux-Mers ("Between Two Rivers")

Located between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, Entre-Deux-Mers is Bordeaux's largest district by area. The region produces primarily dry white wines from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, though red wines from the area are sold under the generic Bordeaux AOC rather than the Entre-Deux-Mers name. The sub-appellations here are largely devoted to sweet and semi-sweet whites.

Sub-appellations include Entre-Deux-Mers AOC, Loupiac AOC, Cadillac AOC, Sainte-Croix-du-Mont AOC, Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux AOC, Côtes de Bordeaux–Saint-Macaire AOC, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOC, and Bordeaux Haut-Benauge & Entre-Deux-Mers Haut-Benauge AOC.

Graves

One of Bordeaux's oldest wine districts, Graves takes its name from the gravelly (graves) soils deposited by the ancient Garonne River. It is the only major Bordeaux district equally celebrated for both its red and dry white wines. The dry whites are blends of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, sometimes with small amounts of Muscadelle. Only the Graves and Pessac-Léognan appellations may list their region name on white wine labels.

Pessac-Léognan AOC (established 1987) — Carved out of the northern Graves district, Pessac-Léognan is home to the region's finest estates, including Château Haut-Brion — the only non-Médoc property included in the 1855 Classification as a First Growth. Red blends are based on Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot playing a significant role. The dry white wines here are equally important and are among the finest whites produced anywhere in Bordeaux.

Cérons AOC (established 1936) — A small appellation within Graves producing sweet white wines from botrytis-affected Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. Sandwiched between Graves and Barsac, Cérons producers may also choose to sell their wines under the Graves AOC.

Barsac AOC (established 1936) — Located adjacent to Sauternes, Barsac grows exclusively white grapes for the production of luscious sweet wines. Barsac wines may be sold under either the Barsac or Sauternes AOC designation.

Sauternes AOC (established 1936) — One of the world's most famous dessert wine regions, Sauternes produces intensely sweet golden wines from botrytis-affected (noble rot) Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. The combination of morning mists from the Ciron River and warm afternoon sun creates ideal conditions for botrytis to develop each autumn. These wines have extraordinary complexity — layers of tropical fruit, honey, apricot and saffron — and can age for decades. Château d'Yquem, designated as the sole Premier Cru Supérieur in the 1855 Sauternes Classification, is the most celebrated producer, with bottles routinely selling for $100 to $1,000 or more.