Bordeaux

Appellation (also Bourg or Bourgeais) named after the town of the same name, located on the right bank of the Dordogne in the Bordeaux wine-growing region in France. Bordeaux wines were exported from here to other countries at a very early stage, yet the region has always been considered to be the �little brother” of the Médoc, located on the opposite bank to the west. The total vineyard area amounts to just on 4.000 hectares, spread over 15 communes of the Gironde department, mostly on limestone soils with clay. Unlike many other regions around Bordeaux, this district is basically free of frost and hail. 98% of the wines produced are full-bodied, long-lived red wines, in which Merlot often dominates (up to 80% in the case of some châteaux), and which are mostly matured in barriques. The following grape varieties are permitted: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot. The rare white wines are blends made from Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Merlot Blanc, Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Well-known producers include Château de Barbe, Château Bégot, Château Brulesécaille, Château Clos du Notaire, Château de la Grave, Château Falfas, Château Fougas, Château Guerry, Château Haut-Guiraud, Château Haut-Macô, Château Macay, Château Mercier, Château Nodoz, Château Pexchaud, Château Roc de Cambes, Château de Rousselet, Château Tayac, Château Terrefort Bellegrave and Château La Tuilière.