Bordeaux Wine Made Simple | What is Left Bank Vs Right Bank?
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1. Left vs Right Bank — Know the Basics
- The Left Bank
- Médoc, Haut Medoc, Pauillac, St Estephe, St Julien, Margaux and Graves
- Cabernet Sauvignon-led blends bold, structured, age-worthy.
- More tannic
- More 'Masculine'
- The Right Bank
- Saint-Émilion and Pomerol
- Leans into Merlot plush, round, and velvety
- Drinks really well in youth
- More 'Feminine'
2. Drink Like a Local
French people enjoy Bordeaux at dinner time, and generally at a slightly cooler than room temperature (16–18°C for reds). They love large wine glasses, to let the wine breathe. The easiest way to put get your wine between 16-18°C is to pop it into the fridge for 30 mins. It might sound mad, but you will be pleasantly surprised, especially with the warm weather.
3. Know the Labels by Looking out for key terms:
- Cru Bourgeois: quality without the Château price tag
- Grand Cru Classé: prestigious, top-tier estates
- Bordeaux Supérieur: often richer and more structured than standard Bordeaux AOC
- Crus Classés de Saint-Émilion A classification of top quality producers in Saint-Émilion that is revisited every 10 years,
4. Bordeaux Pairs Brilliantly with Food
Classic Bordeaux and food go hand-in-hand:
Classic Bordeaux and food go hand-in-hand:
- The Left Bank, those Cabernet blends, love rich red meats like steak and lamb
- The Right Bank, Merlot blends, adore roast chicken, mushrooms, and hearty pasta dishes.
5. Age Isn’t Everything
While some Bordeaux needs cellaring, many modern styles are made to be enjoyed young, especially Right Bank Merlot-based wines and Bordeaux Supérieur reds.
While some Bordeaux needs cellaring, many modern styles are made to be enjoyed young, especially Right Bank Merlot-based wines and Bordeaux Supérieur reds.