La Belle France

Bordeaux AOP

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 the Left Bank, while Merlot dominates the Right Bank. White wines are usually a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. The AOP (Appellation d'Origine Protégée) classification for French wine relates to wine being from a specific region that is significantly regulated. The regions are both large and small, each with its own set of rules for permitted varietals, production standards and quality control cues.