A few extra appellations:
Bourg & Blaye
These two appellations are just across the Gironde river from the Haut-Medoc – a bit northwest of
St-Émilion and its satellites. Bourg is the smaller appellation, nestled under the much bigger Blaye. Both have AC status, Cotes de Bourg AC and Cotes de Blaye AC. Even further up is the Premieres Cotes de Blaye AC, producing red wines a bit higher up on the AC scale. Both regions rely primarily on
Merlot, blending with
Cabernet Sauvignon and some
Cabernet Franc. Whites are allowed here too – usually
Sauvignon Blanc, creating dry and pleasant wine.
Entre-Deux-Mers
Entre Deux Mers is not exactly what it means – between two seas - well, technically it's two rivers. The wines produced in this region, sandwiched between the Garonne & Dardogne rivers, are light and charming, and often reasonably priced. The AC of Entre Deux Mers is only for white wines, reds from the region will be listed as Bordeaux AC. Like other Bordeaux whites, wines of the area are made from Sauvignon Blanc,
Semillon and Muscadelle. Light, crisp, citrus-y and floral, these wines are great summer drinkers.
Bordeaux & Bordeaux Superior
Bordeaux wines that do not fall under a specific appellation are labeled "Appellation Bordeaux" or "Appellation Bordeaux Superieur." The majority of wines made in Bordeaux fall into this category. Wines from these two classifications are made with grapes that come from any appellation within Bordeaux – white or red. Most of the wines are white, and much of the red comes from Entre Deux Mers, where only white wines can bear the namesake appellation on their label. Bordeaux Superior requires a few extra standards that the Bordeaux AC.