Main Vine Varieties
Cabernet-Franc
One of the essential red wines grape of Bordeaux, Cabernet-Franc, is often blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. This Varietal is planted in the cooler, more or less humid climates and on [...]
Cabernet-Sauvignon
This grape is the primary red wine Varietal of most of the top vineyards in Bordeaux's Medoc and Pessac-Leognan Graves districts for more than [...]
Carménère (or Carmenera)
Carménère (or Carmenera) is an ancient but relatively rarely encountered Bordeaux varietal. It was progressively abandoned because of poor health and frequent shattering. This [...]
Colombard
Colombard was formerly used in the Gironde area to produce cooking wine. Often used as a base for jug wines, the Colombard grape has a high natural acidity making it a good choice for blends. [...]
Malbec
Malbec (or Côt) was previously a significant Bordeaux grape, despite its propensity to shatter. But in that region it has taken a back seat to Merlot and the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet [...]
Merlot
In Pomerol and Saint-Emilion, Merlot is the primary red grape, and one of two primaries, the other being Cabernet Sauvignon, of the Medoc area. Particularly well adapted for sandy and [...]
Merlot blanc
Merlot Blanc, reminiscent of its red homonym, is mainly used in Côtes de Bourg region where the grapes are crushed, and after very brief skin contact, the resulting pink juice is run off the [...]
Muscadelle
With Sauvignon and Semillon, Muscadelle is a minor variety used in the production of dry and sweet white wines in the Sauternes, Barsac and Graves districts. With its flowery character, [...]
Petit Verdot
Literally translated as "Little green" in French, Petit-Verdot is a late red variety that does not always reach its full maturity under the tempered Bordeaux climate. Therefore [...]
Sauvignon
Originated in the Loire Valley of France, the white grapes of Sauvignon are widely available as a single varietal or as a blend with Semillon or Muscadelle. It also shows up in Sauternes' [...]
Semillon
Along with Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle, Sémillon is the major white grape in Bordeaux, Graves and Sauternes. The grape is also often used as the the dominant variety for sweet wines such [...]
Ugni blanc
Ugni blanc is better known as the initial ingredient in many brandies and Cognacs. It was mentioned in Bordeaux in the early 1700's. More recently, it has mostly been grown in the Entre-deux-Mers [...]
Bordeaux varieties breakdown 
