BORDEAUX TODAY DIGITAL TOOLKIT
CONTENTS 2
THE BORDEAUX WINE REGION Map
03
BORDEAUX BY THE NUMBERS
04
BORDEAUX TODAY
06
PRODUCTION IN ALL COLORS
08
DIVERSITY IN STYLES
10
RECENT VINTAGES A Timeline
12
BORDEAUX APPELLATIONS
14
APPELLATION SPOTLIGHT Saint-Émilion-Pomerol-Fronsac
17
APPELLATION SPOTLIGHT Médoc
25
APPELLATION SPOTLIGHT Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur
33
STAY CONNECTED
40
THE BORDEAUX WINE REGION Bordeaux is located in Southwest France and is adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean. Bordeaux’s 65 AOC’s are segmented by three waterways: the Garonne and Dordogne rivers and the Gironde, a 50-mile-long estuary flowing northward into the Atlantic.
3
By the Numbers Bordeaux is located in Southwest France and is adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean. Bordeaux’s 65 AOC’s are segmented by three waterways: the Garonne and Dordogne rivers and the Gironde, a 50-mile-long estuary flowing northward into the Atlantic. The reputation of Bordeaux wines owes much to their diversity: the variety of soils, microclimates, and talented winegrowers, and the meticulous blending of world-renowned grape varieties, have made Bordeaux synonymous with quality and elegance.
BY THE NUMBERS
THE PEOPLE
300
5,600 Winegrowers
77
Merchants
29
Brokers
Cooperatives
3
Unions
THE TERROIR
273,792
Acres of Planted Vnies
65
Appellations (AOC)
The largest
French AOC vineyard region
55.5 Million cases Average annual production
Bordeaux Today
18
every
Bottles Sold
SECOND The U.S. is a
TOP
Export Market
$
Around the
WORLD 29 MILLION Bottles Sold in 2021
This year, Bordeaux reported the highest 12-month regional growth rate in the past 35 years, driven by strong consumer demand and U.S. hospitality reopening.
Quality and Affordability Bordeaux sets the standard for quality. With an average bottle price of $20 and more than two thousand years of fine winemaking history, Bordeaux offers vast opportunities for consumers to trial wines of distinctive character at accessible price points.
DID YOU KNOW? Only 4% of Bordeaux producers are classified growths.
DID YOU KNOW?
The U.S. is the number one market for dry white Bordeaux, representing 4.13 million bottles
The Art of Blending Bordeaux winemakers have perfected the art of cultivating and blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc for centuries. Blending in Bordeaux is more than a just a mix of grape varieties – it is at the heart of the region’s winemaking DNA.
Diversity and Range of Styles
Bordeaux’s dry white, rosé, and Crémant styles are more diverse and exciting than ever; the red blends are brighter, fresher, more supple and ready-to-drink at an early age; sweet Bordeaux offers adventurous pairing possibilities — there is a Bordeaux bottle for every occasion and price point.
Next Generation Winemaking Bordeaux today has embraced a younger generation of winemakers who bring curiosity, innovation and a modern approach while respecting the region’s tradition and heritage.
Sustainability 75% of Bordeaux producers hold environmental certifications and uphold a collective commitment to sustainable winemaking. Look for the following logos which designate environmental certifications:
Production in All Colors Bordeaux has 65 designated appellations in total. This large region can be grouped into 3 main areas: Left Bank, Right Bank, and Entre-Deux-Mers. There are 6 main families that describe the styles of Bordeaux
The reputation of Bordeaux wines owes much to their diversity: the variety of soils, microclimates, and talented winegrowers, and the meticulous blending of world-renowned grape varieties, have made Bordeaux synonymous with quality and elegance.
DID YOU KNOW?
Merlot is the most widely-planted variety in Bordeaux
Three main red varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon - Power, Rich Color, Tannin, Ageability, Black Fruits Merlot - Plushness, Texture, Blue and Red Fruits Cabernet Franc - Fragrance, Black and Red Fruits, Freshness
DID YOU KNOW?
Sémillon is the dominant grape variety in Sweet Bordeaux
Two key varieties:
Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
Sauvignon Blanc - Freshness, Liveliness, Aromatics Sémillon - Mouthfeel, Texture, Ageability
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Diversity in Styles Bordeaux Red Blends
Bordeaux has perfected the art of the red blend over centuries. Modern reds from Bordeaux are brighter, fresher, and ready-todrink earlier. Red wines account for 85% of the region’s total production and exports. Red Bordeaux are frequently blends of two, three or more varieties. Left Bank reds typically possess a Cabernet Sauvignondominant blend Right Bank reds typically possess a Merlot-driven blend.
Dry Whites
Bordeaux’s dry whites are the region’s best kept secret for quality and value. The US is the # 1 export market for dry white Bordeaux. Accounting for 9% of total production, Bordeaux’s dry whites are Sauvignon Blanc-dominant. Sémillon is added for richness and ageability and used for the production of sweet wines.
Sweet Whites
Sweet Bordeaux offers accessible appeal to sweet wine lovers and a range of aromas from sweet and fruity to complex bouquets. Wines from Sauternes & Barsac are some of the world’s most age worthy and acclaimed sweet wines, while neighboring appellations like Cérons and Loupiac make accessible sweet and fruity white wines
Up-and-coming: Crémant de Bordeaux and Rosé Crémant de Bordeaux is known for its creamy texture and sales of this style have steadily doubled over the past three years. Customers can also expect top quality rosé at accessible price points made from classic Bordeaux blends or entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
DID YOU KNOW?
Crémant de Bordeaux offers similar quality to Champagne for a fraction of the cost.
Bordeaux Rosés come in styles from pale and light to dark and more structured. Well-known grape varieties produce wines with clear varietal character and firmer structure. They show balance between ripeness and freshness with a diversity of terroir for blending.
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Recent Vintages
Considered a great vintage dry, warm, July with a cool August. Ripe, wellstructured, homogenous.
2014
2016
2015 Nice vintage to sell and drink! Cool and damp during the summer, warm and dry autumn. Fragrant, high-toned wines that give a lot of early drinking pleasure!
A great vintage with high critical acclaim. Dry summer and cool nights resulted in small, thick-skinned berries. High acid, high tannin, wonderfully aromatic.
A “classic” and excellent vintage with overall higher acidity than 2018. Small berries, high levels of anthocyanins, fully ripe and concentrated wines.
Severe frost resulted in the smallest harvest in 25 years. Good wines in this vintage, especially from the Médoc, but quantities were limited.
2018
2017
2019
Warm and dry summer and autumn. Higher alcohols and lower acidity, ripe, intensely colored and wellstructured. 2018 should be long-lived.
Bordeaux Appellations
Bordeaux enjoys the distinction of being the largest AOP vineyard of France, and this can be attributed to its great diversity of highquality terroirs. The broad range of wines that it produces will satisfy every wine lover for every occasion, while offering a wide price range. Geographic factors and the styles of wine produced are what define the ‘six families’ of Bordeaux wines.
The following pages provide deep dives into three of the six families: Saint-Émilion-Pomerol-Fronsac, Médoc and Bordeaux/Bordeaux Supérieur.
Saint-Émilion-Pomerol-Fronsac (SEPF)
A region situated on Bordeaux’s world famous Right Bank, SEPF accounts for about 11% of Bordeaux’s red wine production and is rich in history, fine wine, and vineyard diversity.
Médoc
Situated on the Left Bank of the Gironde estuary, Médoc encompasses a huge variety of estates from some of the most iconic châteaux from the 1855 classification, to approachable crus bourgeois, crus artisans and cooperative cellars.
Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur
Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur wines represent over half of all wines produced in the Bordeaux region and produce red, white (sec, off-dry, and medium sweet), rosé, and clairet wines from the classic Bordeaux red and white varieties.
http://www.saint-emilion-pomerol-fronsac.com/
Saint-Émilion -Pomerol-Fronsac
“The hill with a thousand châteaux”
A region situated on Bordeaux’s world famous Right Bank, Saint-Émilion-PomerolFronsac (SEPF) accounts for about 11% of Bordeaux’s red wine production and is rich in history, fine wine, and vineyard diversity. SEPF is home to one of France’s bestfunctioning co-ops: the Union de Producteurs de Saint-Émilion, which brings together 60 châteaux made up of small family estates unified around a rich diversity of terroirs.
“The hill with a thousand châteaux”- SEPF is comprised of predominantly small family estates.
1 Canon Fronsac 2
3 6 3
1 2 1
6
4 5 5 10
4
2 Fronsac 1 Canon Fronsac Lalande-de-Pomerol 2 3Fronsac
7
Lussac Saint-Émilion 3 4Lalande-de-Pomerol
7
10
Montagne-Saint-Émilion Saint-Émilion 4 5Lussac 8 9
Pomerol 5 6Montagne-Saint-Émilion
8 9
Puisseguin Saint-Émilion 6 7Pomerol Saint-Émilion Saint-Émilion 7 8Puisseguin
8 9Saint-Émilion Saint-Émilion grand cru grand cru 9 10Saint-Émilion Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion
10 Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion
PRODUCTION VOLUME LUSSACSAINT-ÉMILION
MONTAGNE SAINT-ÉMILION
12%
10%
LALANDE-DEPOMEROL
6%
FRONSAC
13%
6%
PUISSEGUIN SAINT-ÉMILION
534 843 hl 5% SAINT-ÉMILION ET SAINT-ÉMILION GRAND CRU
43% 2%
2%
Key Selling Points • • • •
POMEROL
CANON FRONSAC SAINT-GEORGESSAINT-ÉMILION
Classic appellations of the Right Bank One of the oldest parts of Bordeaux Merlot dominates (because of the soil!) Home to many famous classified Châteaux and small producers
KEY FIGURES
Saint-Émilion-Pomerol-Fronsac
8ha
Average Estate Size
11%
Of the Bordeaux area under Vine
At the forefront of innovation with regard to environmental protection
Family-owned estates going back several generations
10
Appellations
12,000 Hectares
Merlot is the main grape variety
530
Prod HL= 70 mill
Wine aging
MERLOT: The Primary Grape Between 60-80% of plantings in SEPF
0,000
duction in = nearly lion bottles
es with good g potential
• Early maturing • Cool, damp, clay soil • Very elegant wines with fruity aromas and a round, smooth structure • Blended with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Carménère and Petit Verdot depending on the typicity of the estate and selection of the winemaker Merlot accounts for the wines’ excellent aromatic richness, color, suppleness, and crunchiness. The bouquet features aromas of red and black fruit, as well as floral notes, gradually revealing fig and prune overtones with age.
TERROIR
Saint-Émilion-Pomerol-Fronsac Pomerol
Montagne-SAINT-ÉMILION Puisseguin SAINT-ÉMILION Saint-Georges-SAINT ÉMILION
Libourne
SAINT-ÉMILION
Sandy-gravel soil
St Christophe des Bardes
Clay-limestone soil
St Hippolyte St Laurent des Combes St Etienne de Lisse
St Sulpice de Faleyrens
St Pey d’Armens Vignonet
Sandy brown soil on a clay subsoil
Asteriated limestone plateau Plateau Slope-plateau Foot of the slopes
( (
Clay-limestone soil on an asteriated limestone subsoil Red and brown clay on an asteriated limestone subsoil Valleys Clay-limestone soil on a Fronsac molasse subsoil Siliceous soil Silty-clay soil on a reworked molasse subsoil
Deep siliceous gravel soil Ancient alluvial and aeolian sandy rises
Siliceous soil Recent gravel Siliceous silty soil
SAINT-ÉMILION FRONSAC
POMEROL
CLASSIFICATION Home to a dynamic but controversial classification system that rewards excellence in terroir, Saint-Émilion was first classified in 1955 with updates occurring every decade. As of the classification’s most recent revision in 2012: There are 4 Châteaux awarded as
Premier Grand Cru Classé A (PGCC-A) Château Angélus Château Ausone Château Cheval Blanc Château Pavie
14 Premier Grand Cru Classé B (PGGC-B) 64 Grand Cru Classé (GCC) New classification in 2022! 16 June 1955 2 PREMIERS CRUS CLASSÉS
63 GRANDS CRUS CLASSÉS
17 November 1969 12 PREMIERS CRUS CLASSÉS
72 GRANDS CRUS CLASSÉS
23 May 1986 11 PREMIERS CRUS CLASSÉS
65 GRANDS CRUS CLASSÉS
18 PREMIERS CRUS CLASSÉS
64 GRANDS CRUS CLASSÉS
Completed by 2 ministerial decrees in 1958
12 December 2006* 13 PREMIERS CRUS CLASSÉS
55 GRANDS CRUS CLASSÉS
15 PREMIERS CRUS CLASSÉS
46 GRANDS CRUS CLASSÉS
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www.medoc-bordeaux.com/en/
Médoc
Exceptional wines-at-a-glance
Situated on the Left Bank of the Gironde estuary, Médoc encompasses a huge variety of estates from some of the most iconic châteaux from the 1855 classification, to approachable crus bourgeois, crus artisans and cooperative cellars. With both highly affordable and world-famous icons, Médoc offers affordable luxury and excellent value for money thanks to unique terroirs, larger estates, and a combination of traditional and state-of-the-art production techniques.
From the Latin in medio aquae, or “in the middle of the water”, Médoc is bordered by the Gironde estuary on the east and the Atlantic Ocean on the west. The temperate, maritime climate is conducive to healthy vine growth. THERE ARE 8 AOC’S IN THE MÉDOC.
SAINT-ESTÈPHE 8% PAUILLAC 7% SAINT-JULIEN 6%
C DO
C DO
34%
MÉ UTHA
MÉ
LISTRAC-MÉDOC 3%
29%
MOULIS-EN MÉDOC 4%
MARGAUX 9%
PRODUCTION VOLUME SAINT-ESTÈPHE MARGAUX 9%
HAUT-MÉDOC
8%
29 %
PAUILLAC
8%
6%
MÉDOC
33 %
690 814 hl
4%
2%
Key Selling Points
SAINT-JULIEN
MOULIS-EN-MÉDOC
LISTRAC-MÉDOC
• The classic appellations of gravel soils and Cabernet • Known for famous communes and classified wines • Source of several “sleeper” (value) AOCs and châteaux
KEY FIGURES Médoc
15%
Of the Bordeaux area under Vine
All types of crus 600 Châteaux 1000 brands
8
Appellations
600 years of history
16,100 Hectares
of unique terroir
690
Prod HL 92 mill
45% of is
CABERNET SAUVIGNON: The Primary Grape
0,000
duction in L= over lion bottles
f production exported
The main grape variety in the Médoc,
Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for 47% of plantings.
• Late-ripening • Suited to warm, gravelly soil • Blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot depending on the typicity of the estate and selection of the winemaker Cabernet Sauvignon adds intense color and aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, musk and spices to Médoc wines. Lending good acidity and structure, Cabernet Sauvignon from the Médoc is contributes fine tannic structure and excellent aging potential.
TERROIR Médoc
The Médoc terroir features complex geological diversity formed by various glaciation periods, which, alongside erosion, created magnificent gravelly soils. These soils are considered some of the most coveted, finest terroirs in the world.
CLAY-LIMESTONE A mixture of stones and clay
GARONNE GRAVEL Deposits left after flooding by the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers, and the Gironde Estuary
PYRENEAN GRAVEL The oldest gravel soil, consisting of deposits left by rivers flowing down from the mountains
MÉDOC CLASSIFICATIONS In addition to the 8 AOCs, Médoc is also home to other designations, including the famed 1855 Grands Crus Classés, Cru Bourgeois and Cru Artisan.
CRU BOURGEOIS
• The Crus Bourgeois du Médoc classification is awarded for 5 years and consist of 3 categories: Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur and Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel. • The classification is based on wine quality and additional criteria liked environmentally friendly winegrowing practices. • 249 Châteaux ranked: 179 Crus Bourgeois, 56 Crus Bourgeois Supérieurs and 14 Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnels. • The classification will be reviewed every 5 years, with a new list in 2020* and then 2025. * Classified Vintages in this Classification: 2018 to 2022
CRU ARTISAN
• A designation that has been in use for nearly a century and a half for estates where crafts and winegrowing were practiced simultaneously. • This designation was formally created in 2006, completed in 2021 and reviewed in 2018 • Cru Artisan estates primarily consist of very small family estates where winegrowing traditions have been maintained. • The classification is reviewed every 5 years.
1855 GRANDS CRUS CLASSÉS
• Established at the request of Napoléon III, the 1855 Classification created a hierarchy of châteaux based on market prices and unwavering quality. • In total, there are 61 crus in red and 27 crus in white.
5
FIRST GROWTHS
...
14
SECOND GROWTHS
...
14
10 10
THIRD GROWTHS
...
FOURTH FOURTH GROWTHS GROWTHS
. . .. . .
1818
FIFTH GROWTHS FIFTH GROWTHS
. .. . .
FIND THE FULL LIST OF GRANDS CRUS CLASSÉS
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Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur
Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur wines represent over half of all wines produced in the Bordeaux region. Created in 1967, Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur allow winemakers to produce red, white (sec, off-dry, and medium sweet), rosé, and clairet wines from the classic Bordeaux red and white varieties.
Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur are appellations applied to wines made across the Bordeaux wine region and encompass all styles made from classic Bordeaux grape varieties.
PRODUCTION
Key Selling Points • • • •
All encompassing appellation Red, white, rosé, sweet, sparkling The Bordeaux we drink everyday A wealth of varied terroir and winemaking styles to choose from
KEY FIGURES
Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur
52%
Of the Bordeaux area under Vine
A Young and dynamic generation, exciting new cuvées, modern packaging, and Innovative wine tourism initiatives
7
Group
Red, white, Rosé, Clai Bordeaux Supérieur
58,0
Hectar
quality is of prime during production follow-up, marke COMMUNICA
ps
iret, Crémant, Red & White
000
res
e importance n, logistical eting, and ATION
2.3 Million
HL Produced = over 306 million bottles
Modern Wines with a price/quality ratio in keeping with current consumer demands
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THE WINES
Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur
BORDEAUX RED
BORDEAUX SUPÉRIEUR
• Fresh, affordable and unexpected • Best enjoyed young • Promote the modernity of Bordeaux, including new packaging, innovation, wine tourism and groundbreaking cuveés
• Limited to red and mediumsweet white wines • Made from a patchwork of terroirs and varieties across the region • Red wines have stricter production methods: required to undergo élevage until mid-June following harvest
Tasting Notes: deep, rich color with expressive fruit and a light tannic structure Area under vine: 34,840 ha Percent of Production: 64%
Red Tasting Notes: Intense red color with a remarkable aromatic richness and round, complex tannins; good aging potential White Tasting Notes: Made with overripe grapes, this wine is very aromatic and sweet but boasts freshness. Area under vine: 13,104 ha Percent of production: Red 17.5%; White .02%
BORDEAUX BORDEAUX
• Light styles m the Saignée are lighter in Bordeaux Ro • Produced thr Bordeaux
Rosé Tasting No with distinctive freshness — bes young
Clairet Tasting N color, fuller on t with a touch of refreshing acidit
Area under vine Rosé 3,781 ha; C Percent of Prod Rosé 6%; Clairet
Ripeness is easy to achieve today but was a vastly more important determinant of quality in 1936 Bordeaux Supérieur AOCs were first introduced. Red Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur wines te and aged in older barriques. American oak and oak chips may be employed. They are generally m line? In France, basic Bordeaux wines usually fall under six euros per bottle in price; Bordeaux Sup
ROSÉ AND CLAIRET
made from method, that n style than ouge roughout
otes: pale color lightness and st enjoyed
Notes: bolder the palate, tannin and ty
e: Clairet 497 ha duction: t 0.7%
BORDEAUX WHITE
CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX
• Extremely versatile white wine that can be appreciated anywhere and with any type of food • An aperitif or pair with seafood and roasted chicken dishes. • There is no going wrong with Bordeaux blanc. • Produced throughout Bordeaux
• White (69%) & Rosé (31%) • Produced in the méthode traditionelle and perfect as an aperitif or enjoyed throughout a meals • Aged for at least 9 months on the lees • Produced throughout Bordeaux
Tasting Notes: Characterized by light, fruity aromas (apricot, citrus, peach), with hints of floral and toasted aromas from oak barrel aging
Area under vine: 255 ha Percent of Production: 2%
Tasting Notes: delicate bubbles with a long-lasting sparkle
Area under vine: 5,792 ha Percent of Production: 9.5%
6, when the Bordeaux Rouge and end to be dominated by Merlot machine-harvested. The bottom périeur ranges from $7-18.
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