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 Argentiera 2023 Tenuta Argentiera

Bolgheri DOC Vermentino 2023 Grattamacco

Saint-Émilion AOC 1er Grand Cru Classé B 2021 Château Pavie Macquin

Moulis-en-Médoc AOC 2023 Château Chasse-Spleen

Bolgheri DOC Rosso Rute 2023 Podere Guado al Melo

Bolgheri Superiore DOC Millepassi 2021 Donna Olimpia

Lalande de Pomerol AOC 2021 Château Siaurac

Bordeaux AOC Blanc Confidence 2023 Château Bastor-Lamontagne

Sauternes AOC 1er Cru Classé 2021 Château Rieussec

Bolgheri Vermentino DOC Botro dei Fichi 2024 Tenuta Meraviglia

Graves AOC Blanc Le Prélat de Pape Clément 2018 Clos Haut-Peyraguey

Pessac-Léognan AOC Rouge 2ème Vin Le Petit 2022 Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Bolgheri DOC Campo al Mare Rosato 2025 Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari

Pomerol AOC Grand Vin 2021 Château Nenin

Bolgheri DOC Bianco Strabilio 2024 Campo alle Comete

Bolgheri Superiore DOC Bolgherese 2022 Tenuta di Vaira

Sauternes AOC 2024 Château Landion

Bolgheri Rosso DOC 2024 Michele Satta

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