Left Bank Versus Right Bank Bordeaux

Uncorked Kitchen is featuring a Bordeaux wine tasting event on Wednesday, July 25^th, 2018. This 60-minute tasting is designed to be fun and informative, and we thought you may want to brush up on the differences between left and right bank Bordeaux before you attend. Or, in the case you are unable to attend, learn a bit more to impress your friends, or that special someone who loves wine as much as you.

To get very basic, Bordeaux is a city in southwest France, split apart by the Dordogne River and River Garonne. This split creates the terms “Left Bank Bordeaux” and “Right Bank Bordeaux” to represent which side of the river the vineyards reside. There are a few big distinctions between the wines that come from the area primarily because the soils, grape varieties, and cultures of the regions differ greatly.

Left Bank Bordeaux vs. Right Bank Bordeaux

On the Left Bank, Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominate grape variety. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chateau Margaux, both red and white Bordeaux, Petit Verdot, Carmenere and even Malbec are produced on the Left Bank in smaller amounts.

Mostly flat with rocky soil, the region produces deep roots for old vines, and all the 1855 Classifications are found here. The Left Bank Bordeaux area features larger estates than on the Right, which tends towards family homes and smaller vineyards.

Clay, limestone and iron-rich soils found on the Right Bank along with their primary grape, Merlot, creates a distinction between the wines of the region.

Different years allowed for one bank to be more fruitful than the others, creating vintage years for a variety of each bank’s wines. A review of the vintage years is more than what we are learning about here, but some research will reveal those to help you choose the finest wines.

If you are looking for a Bordeaux wine tasting in Colorado, Uncorked Kitchen offers that as well as a variety of other cooking and tasting events. Learn more at https://www.uncorkedkitchen.com/events/mid-week-bordeaux-left-right, and we look forward to socializing with you soon.