Bordeaux, in the southwest of France, needs little introduction as one of the world's most famous, prestigious and prolific wine regions. The majority of Bordeaux wines (nearly 90 percent of production volume) are the dry, medium- and full-bodied red Bordeaux Blends that established its reputation.

The finest (and most expensive) of these are the wines from the great châteaux of the Haut-Médoc and the Right Bank appellations Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. The former is focused (at the top level) on Cabernet Sauvignon, the latter pair on on Merlot.

The legendary reds are complemented by high-quality white wines based on Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. These range from dry whites to challenge the best from the Burgundy region (Pessac-Léognan is particularly renowned) to the sweet, botrytized nectars of Sauternes.

Bordeaux is the largest fine wine appellation in France, encompassing the entire wine region around the city of Bordeaux in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwestern France. The appellation has been producing wine since the medieval period and was formally established as an AOC designation in 1936. The region extends across both banks of the Gironde estuary and its tributary rivers, with distinct sub-appellations including the Left Bank areas of Pauillac, Margaux, and Saint-Julien, and the Right Bank regions of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion.

The Bordeaux region's cool maritime climate is moderated by Atlantic influence and proximity to the ocean, while well-drained gravel soils on the Left Bank and clay-rich soils on the Right Bank create distinct growing conditions across the appellation. The permitted red varieties—Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec—form the basis of traditional Bordeaux blends, where winemakers balance these grapes to suit their specific terroir. White wines from the region are produced from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle, typically in dry styles, sometimes with oak aging.

Bordeaux wines are characterized by their structure and aging potential, with Left Bank wines typically emphasizing Cabernet Sauvignon's firm tannins and dark fruit, while Right Bank wines often lead with the softness and plumpness of Merlot. The quality range within the appellation is broad, from everyday drinking wines to the grand crus classés that command international attention. Typical red Bordeaux displays cassis, plum, cedar, and tobacco notes, with whites offering citrus and stone fruit, depending on the blend composition and producer style.