Château La Tuilerie du Puy

Bordeaux AOC

Probably the world's most famous wine region, Bordeaux is a true powerhouse of French quality. While Bordeaux is home to some of the country's most expensive bottles, it is also possible to find great-value wines from small producers. Almost all red and white wines from Bordeaux are blends. Reds tend to be a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. But just as important as the blends are the quality of the region's terroir and unique winemaking techniques. The Bordeaux region is divided by the Gironde River into two main parts. Cabernet Sauvignon reigns supreme on the Left Bank, while Merlot dominates the Right Bank. White wines are usually a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) is the most prestigious of the quality tiers within France’s wine classification system. AOC-designated wines must follow multiple different rules on a broad range of topics. Wines are regulated on the appellation, varietal inclusion, production methods, alcohol levels, vineyard planting density and age of the vineyard.