Bordeaux Grapes (15+ Red and White Varieties, Best Wines)

To a large extent, what makes the red, white and sweet wines of Bordeaux magical, are that they’re all blends of the region’s famed grape varieties.

Bordeaux red wine (called “claret” in the UK) is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc grape varietals.

In contrast, White Bordeaux wine is made with Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes. 

This article explores the different red and white Bordeaux grapes, the newly added ones, the terroir, and the 10 best Bordeaux wines to try in 2023.

Bordeaux Grapes and What They Add to the Blend 

Let’s take a look at the different traditional red and white grapes, and some new additions.

What are the Red Grapes of Bordeaux?

• Merlot:Merlot is the most planted grape varietal in Bordeaux. Merlot wines have a medium body, plum and raspberry flavors, and velvety tannins.
• Cabernet Sauvignon: This is the second most planted grape in the Bordeaux region. It’s the primary grape used in Bordeaux red wine on the Left Bank.

Wines with Cabernet Sauvignon are usually aged for at least one year in old or new French oak barrels. They have a full-body, intensity, classic black fruit flavors, firm acidity, and tannins. 

• Cabernet Franc: This noble grape is used in small percentages in most red Bordeaux wine blends. Blends with Cabernet Franc grapes are medium-bodied with deep berry and herbaceous notes.
• Petit Verdot: Petit Verdot is a bold grape, so only small quantities are used in Bordeaux blends. This late-ripening grape creates wines with high tannin levels. 
• Malbec: Malbec is another blending grape used in Bordeaux wine. The wine has medium tannins, fruity flavors, and acidity. 
• Carmenere:Carmenere is part of the Cabernet grape family. It is blended in small amounts in some Bordeaux blends, giving the wine soft tannins and cherry flavors.

What are the White Grapes of Bordeaux?

• Sauvignon Blanc: This white grape is the dominant grape in the dry white wine of Graves and Medoc. It is also blended with Semillon grapes in Sauternes and Barsac sweet wines. 

Sauvignon Blanc wines are refreshing with strong citrus, apple, and honeysuckle flavors and aromas. 

• Semillon:Semillon is a crucial ingredient in Bordeaux sweet wine and some dry white wine blends. It’s susceptible to botrytis cinerea (noble rot) which gives dessert wines their concentrated sweetness. 
• Muscadelle: Muscadelle is an essential ingredient in White Bordeaux blends. The Muscat grape has floral aroma and raisin flavors.
• Other grapes: Some White Bordeaux blends also use small amounts of Sauvignon Gris, Ugni Blanc, and Merlot Blanc grape varieties.

New Bordeaux Grape Additions

In January 2021, the INAO (Institut national de l’origine et de la qualité, France’s national appellation body) approved six new grapes. 

All the new grapes will be allowed in small quantities in the blends. They’re expected to help combat the impending climate changes as they’re resistant to diseases like grey rot and mildew, and can cope with warmer conditions.

They are: 

• Touriga Nacional: This Portuguese late-ripening red grape resists diseases in the vineyard.
• Marselan: This red grape is a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache Noir grapes.
• Castets: This long-forgotten red grape originates in either the Gironde or Pyrenees.
• Arinarnoa: This red grape variety is a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat grapes. 
• Alvarinho: Alvarinho (or Albarino) is popular in Vinho Verde wines in Portugal. It can produce delicious dry white wines.
• Liliorila: Liliorila was created by crossing Chardonnay and Baroque grape varietals to be used in white Bordeaux wines. 

Quick Facts About Bordeaux 

What’s the Bordeaux terroir like?

The Bordeaux wine region has a humid climate and sandy stone, gravel, and clay soils. The well-draining gravel lands near the Gironde river are considered ideal for viticulture. 

What are the different Bordeaux wine styles?

• Red Bordeaux and Red Bordeaux Supérieur: These wines are made with classic red Bordeaux grapes. Bordeaux  Superior wines are of a higher caliber than classic Bordeaux AOC wines. The two wines are primarily made with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.
• Red Cotes de Bordeaux: This Bordeaux blend is mainly made with Merlot grapes.
• Right Bank wine: This wine is a Merlot-dominant blend that is bold, smooth and with mild tannins.
• Left Bank wine: The Left Bank wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant red blend with bold tannins and peppery flavors.
• White Bordeaux: Bordeaux white wine is also called “Bordeaux Blanc.” The wine can be single-varietal Sauvignon Blanc or a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Sweet white wine can also contain small amounts of Muscadelle grapes. 

How is Bordeaux wine made?

Many chateaux in the Bordeaux wine region harvest the grapes by hand. They’re then destemmed and crushed. 

The winemaker typically ferments them in stainless steel vats before pressing the must. It’s then moved into oak barrels for about 12 months of aging. 

An essential step in the vinification process is blending. There are two blending techniques - the grapes can be fermented, blended, and then aged. Or they can be aged separately and blended later. 

Bordeaux’s wine production is approximately 700 million bottles annually.

10 Best Red and White Bordeaux Blends To Buy in 2023

1. 2009 Liber Pater, Graves, France ($4,674)
2. 2010 Liber Pater Blanc, Graves, France ($4,068)
3. 1931 Petrus, Pomerol, France ($8,348)
4. 1948 Chateau Palmer, Margaux, France ($2,895)
5. 1900 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, France ($14,194)
6. 1961 Chateau Haut-Brion Blanc, Pessac-Leognan, France ($2,909)
7. 1961 Chateau Lafleur Pomerol, France ($11,006)
8. 1900 Chateau Latour Pauillac, France ($11,775)
9. 1865 Chateau d'Yquem, Sauternes, France ($29,394)
10. 1938 Chateau Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France ($1,000)

Invest in Exquisite Wine Crafted from Bordeaux Grapes!

Bordeaux grapes produce exquisite French wine, with fantastic aging potential, many of which are on the wishlist of most wine collectors. 

For example, First Growth Bordeaux wine like the Chateau Latour 2000 has increased in value by 340% since release. 

But, not all of them do!

If you’d like to invest in fine wines from Bordeaux, Rhone Valley, Napa Valley or elsewhere without worrying about prices, buying, storing, and selling them, you should do it through a leading wine investment platform like Vinovest. 

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