Itâs hard to deny the importance of Bordeaux in drinks history because many of the worldâs top wines originated here.
So, what wines should you taste to get to know Bordeaux better? Letâs dive into the 4 major styles of Bordeaux wine and what you need to know to find great quality.
Complete Bordeaux Guide: Out now! See the complete guide to Bordeaux to find your next bottle â See Guide
Bordeaux is one of the most difficult regions to master because of its complexity. Fortunately, itâs not hard to start enjoying Bordeaux by tasting its 4 major wine styles.
- Cabernet Sauvignon Blend: A Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from the Médoc.
- Merlot Blend: Merlot-based blend from the Libournais.
- White Bordeaux: A dry white wine of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
- Sweet Bordeaux: A rich, golden sweet wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon Blends
Cabernet Sauvignon originated in Bordeaux sometime during the 1700s. So, itâs a great first wine to try from this area!
Get the Wine 101 Course ($50 value) FREE with the purchase of Wine Folly: Magnum Edition.
Shop NowOf course, Bordeaux makes wine blends that are labeled after the appellation so you canât just pick up a bottle of wine called âCabernet.â You need to find a wine from an appellation that specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends.
Look for wines from the 8 Médoc appellations
In Bordeaux, the MĂ©doc (aka âLeft Bankâ) specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends. These 8 appellations are famous for their bold and savory style of Cabernet Sauvignon thatâs often blended with a touch of Merlot and Petit Verdot.
In the tasting video, we sourced a bottle from the Haut-Médoc appellation which offers great value. Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends from this region make great wines for your cellar because they have higher tannins and acidity. Here are a few clues to find your own bottle:
- Check the vintage: Check the vintage chart for buying red wines in Bordeaux.
- Look for âGrand Vin de Bordeauxâ: If youâre buying value, look for the words âGrand Vin de Bordeauxâ â the wineryâs top wine.
- Identify the Classification: Bordeaux has several classifications in Médoc to identify quality.
Merlot Blends
Merlot is the most planted grape throughout Bordeaux which means most red wines use Merlot in the blend.
Two major regions produce Merlot-based red wines in Bordeaux: Libournais and Entre-Deux-Mers. These areas are often referred to as the âRight Bankâ because of their location on the eastern side of the Garonne river.
In the tasting video, we sourced a Merlot and Cabernet Franc blend from Cadillac CĂŽtes de Bordeaux which is a red wine appellation in Entre-Deux-Mers. What was interesting to taste was the stark contrast between this wine versus the Cabernet. The Merlot-blend was much more plush and velvety with lower tannins and more fruit flavors.
Here are a few clues to find your own bottle:
- Look for Bordeaux SupĂ©rieur and CĂŽtes de Bordeaux for value: These appellations offer some of Bordeauxâs best red wine values.
- Check the vintage: Check the vintage chart for any red wines in Bordeaux.
- Looking for high-end?: Saint-Ămilion and Pomerol are home to the Right Bankâs most critically acclaimed Merlot-based wines. These are two areas to explore for top quality that rivals the best of the MĂ©doc.

White Bordeaux
Dry white wines make up less than 10% of the wine production in Bordeaux. Nevertheless, White Bordeaux has a serious following because itâs delicious!
These wines use mostly SĂ©millon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Together, these varieties make a richer and more peachy wine, with Sauvignon Blancâs long, tingly finish.
In Bordeaux, the only appellations that make white Bordeaux sit in Graves and Entre-Deux-Mers. So, most wineries label the wines simply as âBordeaux.â
In this tasting, we sourced a wine that was 70% SĂ©millon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc. It comes from the exclusive Sauternes sweet wine appellation, but since itâs a dry white wine, itâs required to be declassified to basic Bordeaux. Great quality for under $20 a bottle!
- Look in Graves and Entre-Deux-Mers: Most White Bordeaux comes from these two areas.
Sweet Bordeaux
The last wine to taste to round out your understanding of Bordeaux is a sweet white wine from the Sauternais region. These wines are golden-colored and richly sweet with honey and apricot flavors!
The area that specializes in these sweet wines includes Sauternes (âsew-turnâ) which is the most famous sweet wine in Bordeaux.
In this tasting, we sourced a wine from Barsac, which is right next door to Sauternes. And, because it doesnât have the same name recognition as Sauternes it offers better values. Normally, these wines sell for hundreds of dollars a half-bottle, so value-hunting is a must if youâre on a budget.
More on Bordeaux? See the Guide!
If youâd like to learn more about Bordeaux, definitely check out the complete guide to Bordeaux. The region guide includes a knowledge base, wineries, and wines, all in one place.
The best part is itâs free!