Bordeaux - The Appellations

Sauternes, Precious Stones . . . and a Sparkling Sauternes?

Sauternes has 5 communes – Barsac, Sauternes, Bommes, Fargues and Preignac. All 5 can use the name Sauternes but Barsac also has its own appellation. Long before the great sweet wines of Sauternes were made the Romans grew their vines here. Preignac, (home of the Second Growth Chateau de Malle) takes its name from the Roman villa … Read more

Margaux, Not As We Know It

Mention Margaux and wine lovers will immediately think of Chateau Margaux – the only Château that has the unique privilege of bearing the name of its appellation. The château has a prestigious past which stretches back to the 12th Century when it was known as La Mothe de Margaux. La Mothe comes from the French word motte, meaning a small rise in … Read more

The Côtes de Bordeaux

The Côtes de Bordeaux (Côtes means Coasts in French) are located in the East, on steep slopes of hills and valleys created by the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers that flow through the area. In fact on the Côtes land, water is everywhere: rivers, estuary, ocean, fresh and salty waters. The bores (mascarets in French) allow the ocean … Read more

Listrac Médoc, Tournedos Rossini and Wine

Listrac Médoc is the most inland communal appellation within the Médoc and has been an AOC since 1957. At the beginning of the last century Listrac was one of the largest appellation in Médoc. Listrac owes its name to the Romans who brought viticulture to the region – the Latin word “Listra” means “edge, border, boundary”. Médoc means … Read more

Bordeaux Rosé

The Bordeaux Rosé AOC covers the whole Gironde production area and these charming wines are made with the same red grapes that are used to make the red wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenere. The vineyards of Bordeaux are now one of the leading producers of Rosé wines. In fact sales … Read more