Bordeaux

In total there are over 3,000 estates in the region in 57 separate appellations. Most of the wine produced is red from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Cot (Malbec) and Petit Verdot and the region's fame undoubtedly centres on its great red wines and, in particular, the Crus Classés of the Médoc and the top wines of the right-bank appellations of St-Émilion and, more recently, Pomerol.

In St-Emilion, "the best wines, with few exceptions, notably Teyssier on the plains of Vignonet, come from around the town" (Steven Spurrier, Decanter)

Some dry white is made in the left-bank Graves appellation from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. These same varieties are used in the Sauternais appellations (including Cérons) where some of the world's greatest botrytised dessert wines are produced.

“Château du Seuil… excels at understated, oak-aged dry whites from the Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon grapes that seem so at home in this quiet corner of the Gironde” (Hugh Johnson & Jancis Robinson, World Atlas of Wine)

Recent vintages of particular merit are:

1982, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1996 and 1998 (right-bank only). 2000 is a fabulous vintage bringing with it some ludicrous prices. Shop around! 2001 provided high quality wines at reasonable prices from both sides of the Gironde estuary and 2002 was particularly successful for the left bank. 2003 was initially thought to be a repeat of 2000 but Pomerol was fairly disastrous compared with the top Medoc estates, particularly those in St-Estephe. Again, prices will be high.

For investment purposes only wines from the top estates in the best vintages should be purchased (and subsequently stored with great care in a reliable bonded warehouse). However, wines produced by reputable estates in any year can provide excellent value and so-called lesser vintages will generally be ready to drink at a much younger age.