Bordeaux, is a much simpler region to understand than its arch rival Burgundy. It is made up of a series of communes incorporating various châteaux of differing sizes, most of which form part of a very basic classification system. Covering a large area of largely flat and often uninspiring land through which the Gironde river flows, forming a symbolic divide between the vineyards, it revels in the juxtaposition of its monotonous gravelly soils punctuated by magnificently grandiose châteaux.

On the right bank of the river we have the main communes of Saint Emilion and Pomerol and on the left bank the big communes of Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux and Graves. Tucked in amongst these most significant ones are the larger, less revered areas of the Médoc, the Haut Médoc and Blaye. Slightly further south lies the sweet-wine communes of Sauternes and Barsac which produce some of the world’s most fabulous dessert wines.

In 1855 the châteaux were given classifications according to their quality, an imprecise medium based on their price in the market place. Although that was over 150 years ago there has been very little change in the classifications, the most significant being the upgrading of Mouton Rothschild to the premier league in 1973. In reality the classifications are of little importance these days, such is the level of information available on each property, most of which carry a reputation far more influential than their classification.

Some of the châteaux are nothing short of massive, well over 100 hectares in some cases with production levels vastly superior to those of the Côte d’Or. The grapes planted here are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec with the main emphasis on the two former ones. On the right bank Merlot takes a much more prominent role and is ably supported by Cabernet Franc. Consequently, there is huge stylistic difference between the two banks and each has its own set of loyal followers