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.

Pessac-Léognan AOC Le Dauphin d’Olivier Grand Vin de Graves 2021 Chateau Olivier

Pessac-Léognan AOC Rouge 2021 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOC 2014 Château Vieux Clos

Pauillac AOC Fleur de Pédesclaux 2022 Château Pedesclaux

Bolgheri DOC Rosso di Marte 2022 Ruffino

Saint-Émilion AOC Grand Cru Classé Grand Corbin 2022 Château Corbin

Saint-Estèphe AOC Les Pagodes de Cos 2021 Château Cos d'Estournel

Bolgheri Bianco DOC Costa di Giulia 2025 Michele Satta

Bolgheri DOC Gattabuia 2021 Piccini 1882

Sauternes AOP 2019 Château Bordenave

Pomerol AOC La Ballade 2023 Château La Pointe

Bolgheri DOC Mosaico 2024 Casa di Terra

Bordeaux AOC Rouge Légende R 2022 Domaines Barons de Rothschild

Graves AOC Cuvée Beausoleil 2021 Château Petit Mouta

Haut-Médoc AOC Le Moulin Rose 2021 Château Malescasse

Bolgheri DOC Bianco Borgeri 2025 Giorgio Meletti Cavallari

Saint-Émilion AOC 1er Grand Cru Classé B 2021 Château Trotte Vieille

Bordeaux Supérieur AOC 2015 Château Le Conseiller

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