Bolgheri vs Bordeaux

Are Bolgheri and Bordeaux really two related worlds? Let us try to compare them in order to understand their similarities and differences.

Bordeaux's 60 appellations can generally be divided into six main families, four of which relate to red wines: the wines of the left bank of the Gironde, those of the right bank of the Dordogne, the Côtes de Bordeaux and the wines of the Bordeaux AOC appellation. On the left bank we find the Médoc, which includes the best known and highly vocated sub-areas of Pauillac, Margaux, Saint-Estèphe and the lesser-known Moulis and Listrac; and the Graves, which includes the sub-area of Pessac-Léognan. This area produces wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, often blended with Merlot. These wines are concentrated, tannic and suitable for long ageing. It is here that the Grand Cru Classé of the 1855 classification and that of Graves are to be found.

On the other bank, around the city of Libourne, there are ten other appellations, the most important of which are Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, where very concentrated wines with velvety tannins are produced, made from Merlot.

In the Bordeaux AOC appellation, which covers the entire wine-growing region, fruity, good-drinking wines are produced mainly from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes, but Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenère are also used to a lesser extent. These wines are more suited to everyday consumption than to long ageing, while Bordeaux Supérieur, produced in the same area but with more bounding requirements, including a minimum ageing period of 12 months, are richer and more complex wines than the basic Bordeaux.

It was 1944 when Marquis Mario Incisa della Rocchetta planted the first Cabernet vineyard in Bolgheri, brought directly from Bordeaux in what was then still an area unknown to most. But the Marquis had recognised the similarities between Bolgheri and Bordeaux, thus realising the great potential of this Tuscany bordered by sea and hills. And it is interesting to note how the name Sassicaia, assigned to the wine, recalls 'stones' in Italian, just like Graves in Bordeaux, in relation to the type of terrain.Soon the first vineyard was followed by new plantings of Merlot and the production of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon intensified. Producers from various parts of Italy and the world arrived, making the Bolgheri area one of the jewels in the crown of Italian wine production today.

French varieties thrive very well in Bolgheri thanks to the soil of stones and clay, which is the same as in their birthplace, Bordeaux. The same grapes and soil might lead one to believe that Bolgheri DOC is like an identical expression of Bordeaux, but the Tuscan terroir really makes the difference. Firstly, Bolgheri's climate is obviously Mediterranean, with hot summers and mild winters. The extra warmth and sunlight, compared to a maritime climate, lead to fuller-bodied wines with riper tannins and a higher alcohol content. Wines that nevertheless maintain a good verticality, thanks to the refreshing sea breezes.

Our sommeliers have decided to compare these two worlds, selecting the most representative wines and, as always, the best prices: all that remains for you to do is to enjoy the similarities and differences.

Bolgheri Superiore DOC 2022 Ornellaia

Pauillac AOC 5ème Cru Classé 2022 Château Lynch-Moussas

Bolgheri Superiore DOC Arnione 2021 Campo alla Sughera

Bolgheri DOC 2024 Donne Fittipaldi

Pauillac AOC 2ème Cru Classé 2018 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Bolgheri DOC Aska 2022 Banfi

Antinori Bolgheri Guado al Tasso Case, 3 x 0,75 ℓ bottles, Wooden box

Bolgheri Superiore DOC Millepassi 2021 Donna Olimpia

Sauternes AOC 1er Cru Classé Supérieur 2022 Château d'Yquem

Bolgheri Rosso DOC 2023 Michele Satta

Bolgheri DOC Guado al Tasso Scalabrone 2024 Marchesi Antinori

Bolgheri DOC Aska 2022 Banfi

Toscana IGT Rosso 2020 Campo alla Sughera

Pessac-Léognan AOC 2018 Château La Louvière

Pauillac AOC 5ème Grand Cru Classé 2023 Château d'Armailhac

Bolgheri Superiore DOC Guado al Tasso 2022 Marchesi Antinori

Bolgheri Superiore DOC Dedicato a Walter 2019 Poggio al Tesoro

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 1er Grand Cru Classé A AOC 2021 Château Ausone