Bordeaux

Prestigious Bordeaux is mother to more top-range wines than any other region. Named after the trading town of the same name, the region is located on the Atlantic coast where the rivers Garonne and Dordogne flow into the ocean. The vineyards huddle against the Gironde estuary and the tributaries it welcomes, across a total of 50 appellations. Pine tree forests in the South protect the region against strong, saline winds from the Atlantic. As a result, the climate is rather mild and temperatures rarely fall below freezing point. Long, warm summers are perfect for late-blooming vine types and thereby help the production of the finest, subtle and storable wines. The most renowned and globally recognised Bordeaux vine type is Cabernet Sauvignon, while the most cultivated is Merlot. A layer of gravel and sand covers the region’s limestone substratum, allowing the vines to develop deep roots and letting the water drain easily.