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Get 10% off 6 still wines. Enter code SAVE10 during checkout. Excludes some fine wine and Sparkling.
Get 10% off 6 still wines. Enter code SAVE10 during checkout. Excludes some fine wine and Sparkling.
September is Bordeaux Wine Month
Bordeaux has a reputation for grand châteaux and serious price tags, but there is far more to the region than that. This September, Bordeaux Wine Month is celebrating its diversity across the UK, and we are joining in with some of our favourite bottles from every corner of the region.
Every September, more than 130 independent merchants, wine bars and restaurants across the UK come together to champion the wines of Bordeaux. The aim is simple: to show that Bordeaux is not just claret for special occasions. Crisp dry whites, elegant rosés, lively Crémant de Bordeaux, beautifully balanced reds and some of the world's greatest sweet wines all come from this one corner of south-west France. Whether you are new to the region or have a few bottles tucked away already, it is the perfect excuse to explore.
Bordeaux sits on France's Atlantic coast, shaped by the Garonne and Dordogne rivers and the wide Gironde estuary they flow into. With over 100,000 hectares of vines and around 60 appellations, it can look daunting, but it really comes down to three areas.
Cabernet Sauvignon led
West of the Garonne, deep gravel soils suit Cabernet Sauvignon. Home to the Médoc villages of Margaux, Saint-Julien, Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe, plus Graves and Pessac-Léognan. Expect structure, cassis, cedar and real ageing potential.
Merlot led
East of the Dordogne, cooler clay and limestone favour Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Saint-Émilion and Pomerol are the big names, with the Côtes de Bordeaux offering brilliant value. Expect plum, dark cherry and a softer, velvety texture.
Whites and everyday reds
The land "between two seas" lies between the rivers. It is the source of fresh, zesty Sauvignon and Sémillon whites and plenty of generous, easy-drinking red.
Almost every Bordeaux is a blend. Cabernet Sauvignon brings structure, Merlot adds flesh and softness, and Cabernet Franc lends perfume and freshness, with Petit Verdot and Malbec playing supporting roles. Whites balance zippy Sauvignon Blanc with rich, textured Sémillon. As for classifications, the famous 1855 ranking covers the top estates of the Médoc and Sauternes, Saint-Émilion revises its own list roughly every ten years, and Pomerol has no classification at all. They are a useful guide, but some of the most rewarding bottles in Bordeaux sit outside them entirely.
From an everyday red made by one of Bordeaux's most famous winemakers to a honeyed Sauternes, here is a taste of the region's range.
The home estate of Pierre Lurton, who also runs Cheval Blanc and Yquem. Supple and generous, with dark berries, a lick of citrus peel and soft, polished tannins. Great winemaking without the grand price tag.
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From the Thienpont family, the name behind Vieux Château Certan in Pomerol. Raspberry, plum and violets, with fine tannins and a bright, peppery finish. Proof of just how good Castillon can be.
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Classic Médoc character from the same family that owns Château Talbot. Black cherry, cassis and a touch of earth and violet, with a soft structure. Lovely with roast beef or lamb.
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The second wine of one of Pauillac's best-loved châteaux, made from its younger vines with the same care as the Grand Vin. Round, succulent and full of blackcurrant, it drinks well now and will keep.
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A classified Saint-Émilion from a vintage that gave the Right Bank real depth. Velvety Merlot with Cabernet Franc freshness, dark plum and a gentle spice.
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Pomerol at its most charming. Blackberry, cherry and wild blueberry with floral notes, velvety tannins and a fresh, appetising finish.
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Candied lemon and fresh herbs, with Sémillon adding a surprising richness and a hint of peach before a crisp, citrusy finish. Excellent with white fish or grilled chicken.
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The second wine of Château Rieussec, a Premier Grand Cru Classé Sauternes. Candied grapefruit, mango and honey, balanced by fresh acidity. Superb with blue cheese or fruit tarts.
View nowThe joy of Bordeaux is that there is a bottle for every mood, meal and budget. Try a Castillon alongside a Pauillac to taste the difference between the two banks, or pour a Sémillon-rich white next to a crisp Sauvignon to explore the region's whites. However you celebrate, September is the perfect time to rediscover a region that has been delighting wine lovers for centuries. #jointheBDXcrew
From everyday reds to classed growths and Sauternes, discover the full selection.
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