Bordeaux is one of the most recognizable names in terms of wine-growing regions. Sharing its name with the bustling city at its epicenter, it is home to some 10,000 or more producers and boasts a range in quality of wines, from inexpensive table wines through to some of the world’s most expensive and prestigious labels. The majority of Bordeaux vineyards are planted with red wine grapes, although some white grapes used in the production of dry white and sparkling wines and the rest to make the region's highly esteemed sweet wines.
The success of Bordeaux as a wine-growing region can be closely aligned to the unique climate and geography of the area. Its location on the 45th parallel (halfway between the Equator and North Pole) means ideal climatic conditions for viticulture. Warm summers and relatively mild (if wet) winters means the climate here is particularly suited to growing late-ripening varieties. The vast expanse of the Landes Forest protects Bordeaux from strong salt-bearing winds off the Atlantic Ocean, although this does bring the hazard of still winter air getting trapped and increasing the risk of frost. The proximity to large masses of water such as the Atlantic Ocean, the Gironde Estuary and the Garonne and Dordogne rivers helps to moderate climatic extremes.
Merlot dominates the red grape plantings throughout Bordeaux, closely followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and then Cabernet Franc. Petit Verdot, Malbec and the rarely seen Carmenère are also permitted. These varietals when used in combination are often referred to as a Bordeaux Blend, Claret or Meritage (used mainly in the United States). The white wines are generally blends of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle although Ondenc, Mauzac, Merlot Blanc, Ugni Blanc and Colombard are also sanctioned within this region.
While Bordeaux is well regarded for the wines produced within specific areas such as Margaux and Saint-Emilion, many of the wines from Bordeaux fall under the far less ambitious appellations covered by this region. These include Bordeaux (rouge, blanc and sec), Bordeaux Supérieur, Bordeaux Clairet, Bordeaux Rosé and limited production of the sparkling wines Crémant de Bordeaux. Bordeaux also has a unique and historically significant classification system that has remained largely unchanged since the mid 19th century.
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