The essentials to know about the Great Wines of Bordeaux

Whether for amateurs or informed connoisseurs, the great wines of Bordeaux are particularly famous throughout the countries of the globe. The Bordeaux wine region is among the oldest and largest vineyard regions in the world with over 118,000 hectares of vines. The region produces more than 5 million hectoliters of wine each year and has around sixty appellations.

The Bordeaux region now has more than 7,000 winegrowers, 300 trading houses and around a hundred wine brokers. The list of Bordeaux AOCs (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) is long, including Margaux, Pauillac, Pomerol, Sauternes, Listrac-Médoc, Saint-Julien, etc. The great wines of Bordeaux base its reputation particularly on its red wines. However, the region also produces great sweet, dry or sparkling white wines.

The Bordeaux vineyard is divided between the wines of the Right Bank, designating the vineyards of the right bank of the Gironde and the Dordogne, and the wines of the Left Bank, designating the wines of the Médoc and the Graves region.

The history between wine, Bordeaux and the Garonne

The fascinating history of the Bordeaux vineyards today spans more than 2,000 years. Indeed, as early as the 4th century AD, the Latin poet Ausone already testified to the fame of Bordeaux wines. The secret of the success of Bordeaux wines is based, on the one hand, on the know-how of winegrowers acquired over several centuries, but above all on the other hand by its geographical asset, which is none other than its river, the Garonne. . Indeed, the particular configuration of this river has long favored the trade in Bordeaux wines. The name " Château " of the wine-growing areas of Bordeaux appeared during the 19th century with the arrival of the Irish and the Dutch. Although the buildings are not exactly in the shape of a castle, the denomination of " Château " can be applied to any winery.

Diversity of terroir in Bordeaux

For centuries, the great wines of Bordeaux have been successful thanks to the diversity of the terroir in Bordeaux. Located near the Atlantic Ocean, the Bordeaux vineyard benefits from a temperate oceanic climate, which is favorable to viticulture. In addition to the climate, the soils and terroirs are varied. This diversity imparts a unique typicity to each type of wine in the region.

Château Fourcas Dupré is one of the vineyards of the Left Bank

La Rive Gauche de Bordeaux désigne les vignobles situés à l’ouest de la Garonne constituée du Médoc, des Graves et du Sauternais. Médoc, en lui-même présente 8 appellations différentes dont Margaux, Listrac-Médoc, Moulis-en-Médoc, Saint-Julien, Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe et Haut-Médoc. Ces nombreuses appellations sont dues à une typicité différente de vin dans chaque appellation.

Le Château Fourcas Dupré jouit de l’appellation Listrac-Médoc, qui est l’appellation la plus éloignée de l’estuaire. Les vins de Listrac-Médoc se distinguent par leur puissance et leur robustesse. Les grands vins de Bordeaux Listrac-Médoc sont ainsi très propices à la garde.