Understanding the Bordeaux Blend in Your Cellar

The Bordeaux blend is a foundational concept in fine wine. The term refers to wines typically made from a specific combination of grape varieties grown in Bordeaux, France. While most commonly associated with red wines, white Bordeaux wines are also typically blends. Understanding the composition of these blends, the regional nuances, and the classifications that govern them is crucial. Those details decide whether a collector holds, drinks, or sells a bottle. The blend's structure, influenced by terroir and tradition, dictates its aging potential and flavor profile. That gives you a roadmap for appreciating the wine in your cellar.

What grapes make up a Bordeaux blend?

A Bordeaux blend, whether red or white, is typically composed of a specific set of permitted grape varieties, with regional variations in their dominance.

For red Bordeaux wines, the permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Carménère. Carménère is "rarely used" today, with Château Clerc Milon noted as one of the few to retain Carménère vines. In July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized four new red grapes to combat climate change effects: Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa. That authorization applies specifically to wines designated as Bordeaux or Bordeaux Supérior, as reported by Wine-Searcher. For white Bordeaux wines, the primary grapes are Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle, which are exclusively used for sweet Sauternes. Other permitted varieties include Sauvignon Gris, Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Merlot Blanc, Ondenc, and Mauzac. Bordeaux wineries recently permitted three new white grapes: Alvarinho, Petit Manseng, and Liliorila, as noted by Wine-Searcher.

The proportion of these grapes varies significantly by region and producer.

How do red Bordeaux blends differ by region?

Geographical origin within the Bordeaux region distinctly shapes red Bordeaux blends. The main split runs between the "Left Bank" and "Right Bank" of the Gironde estuary.

On the Left Bank, which includes Médoc and Graves, Cabernet Sauvignon typically dominates the blend. Typical top-quality Châteaux blends from this area are 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Merlot. These wines are concentrated, tannic, and long-lived, often meant for cellaring before drinking. The five First Growths sit here.

In contrast, on the Right Bank, encompassing areas like Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, Merlot tends to predominate. Top-quality Châteaux blends from the Right Bank are typically 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines often exhibit great fruit concentration and softer tannins, and they are long-lived too, as we describe.

The following table summarizes the typical red Bordeaux blend compositions by region:

Region	Dominant Grape	Typical Blend (Top-Quality Châteaux)	Characteristics
Left Bank	Cabernet Sauvignon	70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot	Concentrated, tannic, long-lived, meant for cellaring
Right Bank	Merlot	70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon	Great fruit concentration, softer tannins, long-lived

How do white Bordeaux blends differ by region?

White Bordeaux wines are also typically blends, with variations in grape predominance and style across the region.

Dry white wines are made throughout Bordeaux, often using the regional appellation Bordeaux Blanc. These are frequently 100% Sauvignon Blanc or a blend dominated by Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Dry whites from Graves are the most well-known. It is the only subregion with a classification for dry white wines. The better versions tend to have a significant oak influence.

Sweet white wines are produced in several locations and appellations, notably Sauternes, from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes affected by noble rot. The regional appellation for sweet white wines is Bordeaux Supérieur Blanc.

We provide the following breakdown of white grape planting by area:

• Sémillon: 54%
• Sauvignon Blanc: 36%
• Muscadelle: 7%
• Ugni Blanc, Colombard, and Folle Blanche: 3% (in total)

Sémillon was the most planted white grape in Bordeaux in the late 1960s. Its presence has been in "constant decline" since then, though it remains the most common white Bordeaux grape. Sauvignon Blanc's popularity has risen, surpassing Ugni Blanc as the second most planted white Bordeaux grape in the late 1980s. It now covers an area "more than half the size" of Sémillon's lower-yielding area.

What are the key classifications for Bordeaux wines?

Bordeaux wines are subject to several classifications, which provide a framework for understanding quality and prestige. They cover different parts of the region and carry varying statuses.

The primary classifications, include:

• The Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855: This classification, requested by Emperor Napoleon III for the Exposition Universelle de Paris, ranked wines into five categories "according to price." It covers red wines of Médoc (with one exception) and sweet wines of Sauternes-Barsac. The five First Growth red wines, including Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Margaux, are among the world's most expensive wines. Château Mouton Rothschild rose from second to first growth in 1973. For sweet white wines, Château d'Yquem ranks as a superior first growth.
• The 1955 Official Classification of St.-Émilion: This classification is updated approximately every ten years. It has three categories, with Premier Grand Cru Classé A being the highest, initially including Château Ausone and Château Cheval Blanc. The 2012 classification added Château Angélus and Château Pavie to this highest category.
• The 1959 Official Classification of Graves: An initial classification in 1953 gave way to a revision in 1959.
• The Cru Bourgeois Classification: This classification began unofficially, gained official status, and was last updated in 2003. However, legal challenges from 78 producers led to its annulment in 2007. A new list appeared in September 2010 as a "recognition of quality" with yearly reappraisal. It is "no longer a recognized classification,".
• The Cru Artisan Classification: The European Union recognized this classification in June 1994, with publication on January 11, 2006. Revision is due every 10 years. The initial list of 44 Cru Artisans grew to 50 in 2012.

There is no official classification applied to Pomerol. Some wines like Château Pétrus and Château Le Pin are often considered equivalent to the 1855 First Growths. They may sell for even higher prices. For a deeper dive into these prestigious estates, explore our guide on Left Bank 1855 estates against Petrus.

What is the role of terroir in Bordeaux?

The concept of terroir plays a "pivotal role" in Bordeaux wine production. Top estates aim to create wines that "reflect the place they are from," according to Karen MacNeil in The Wine Bible, cited. They often use grapes from a single vineyard.

The geological foundation of the region is limestone, which results in a soil structure heavy in calcium. The soil itself consists of gravel, sandy stone, and clay. The best vineyards sit on well-drained gravel soils, frequently located near the Gironde river. An old adage in Bordeaux states that the best estates can "see the river" from their vineyards. Classified estates occupy the majority of land facing the river.

The Gironde estuary, along with its tributaries the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, irrigates the land and provides an Atlantic, or oceanic, climate for the region. These rivers also define the main geographical subdivisions: the "Right Bank" (north of the Dordogne, around Libourne), Entre-Deux-Mers (between the Dordogne and Garonne), and the "Left Bank" (west and south of the Garonne, around Bordeaux city). The Left Bank divides further into Graves and Médoc, as we describe.

How does Bordeaux winemaking influence the blend?

The winemaking process in Bordeaux aims to craft wines in a specific style. Blending is an "integral part" of this process.

Following harvest, grapes are typically sorted and destemmed before crushing. Crushing was traditionally done by foot. Mechanical crushing is now "almost universally used," according to Stephen Brook in The Complete Bordeaux. Chaptalization is permitted and "fairly common-place." Fermentation usually occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. After pressing, the must is transferred to barriques, traditionally 225-litre oak barrels. Aging there commonly lasts a year.

Blending occurs at some point between pressing and bottling. The château mixes wines from different grape varieties, depending on vintage conditions, to produce a wine in its preferred style. Additionally, wine from different parts of the vineyard is often aged separately. The winemaker then judges whether it goes into the main wine, into the second wine, or off wholesale. The wine is then bottled and usually undergoes further aging before release.

For more on how storage influences wine, consult our guide on how to store wine.

What is Meritage wine?

Wineries globally aspire to make wines in a "Bordeaux style." In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this manner.

Most Meritage wines originate from California. The Meritage Association has members in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico. This designation allows producers outside Bordeaux to signal their commitment to the classic blend structure without using the protected "Bordeaux" appellation.

How do you assess the value of a Bordeaux blend in your cellar?

Assessing the value of a Bordeaux blend in your cellar involves considering factors such as its classification, vintage, and provenance. The live fine wine market index can provide current market trends, but specific bottle valuations depend on several data points.

For wines from the Médoc, the 1855 Classification is a key indicator, ranking wines "according to price,". The 1955 Official Classification guides Saint-Émilion wines. Updates come approximately every ten years. Graves wines have their own 1959 Official Classification. Pomerol has no official classification. Wines like Château Pétrus and Château Le Pin are often considered equivalent to 1855 First Growths. They can command high prices.

Beyond classification, the vintage plays a significant role. Burgundy's continental climate, for example, brings unpredictable weather, which leads to vintages that vary considerably. Although this specific comment refers to Burgundy, the principle of vintage variation due to climate applies broadly to other regions like Bordeaux.

When considering selling, understanding the net proceeds from an auction or private sale is important. For wines you intend to hold, proper storage is paramount to maintaining their condition and value.

Understanding the intricacies of your Bordeaux blend allows you to make informed decisions about its future. You may want to compare your Bordeaux blend with other wines in your collection, or with those you are considering acquiring. Use our side-by-side wine comparison tool to evaluate their characteristics and market standing.