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.

Graves AOC Blanc Le Prélat de Pape Clément 2018 Bernard Magrez

Haut-Médoc AOC 2017 Château de Lamarque

Bordeaux AOC Rouge D de Dauzac 2022 Château Dauzac

Pomerol AOC La Ballade 2023 Château La Pointe

Bordeaux Supérieur AOC 2023 Château Le Bocage

Pauillac AOC 5ème Cru Classé 2021 Château Pedesclaux

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOC Les Roches de Yon 2020 Château Yon-Figeac

Bolgheri Superiore DOC Sondraia 2021 Poggio al Tesoro

Pauillac AOC Echo de Lynch-Bages 2023 Château Lynch-Bages

Haut-Médoc AOC Le Moulin Rose 2021 Château Malescasse

Graves AOC Cuvée Beausoleil 2021 Château Petit Mouta

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

Saint-Estèphe AOC 4ème Cru Classé 2020 Château Lafon-Rochet

Saint-Estèphe AOC 2ème Cru Classé 2018 Château Cos d'Estournel

Margaux AOC Blason d'Issan 2021 Château d'Issan

Saint-Émilion AOC 1er Grand Cru Classé B 2019 Château Canon

Saint-Émilion AOC 1er Grand Cru Classé B 2016 Château Figeac

Moulis-en-Médoc AOC 2022 Château Chasse-Spleen

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