Level 3 · Wine & Spirits Exam Prep
France: Bordeaux
The appellations, classifications, and styles of Bordeaux — the world's most famous wine region.
Topics covered
- Left Bank appellations
- Right Bank appellations
- 1855 Classification
- Sweet wines of Sauternes
Level 3 Study Guide
Bordeaux — Appellations and Classifications
Quick Revision
- Left Bank: Cab Sauv; Médoc sub-regions
- Right Bank: Merlot; Saint-Émilion + Pomerol
- 1855: ranks Médoc châteaux 1st–5th Growth
- Pétrus (Pomerol): most expensive Merlot
- Sauternes: botrytis sweet; d'Yquem = top
- Entre-Deux-Mers: high-volume dry whites
Key Facts for the Exam
- Left Bank: Cabernet Sauvignon dominant; sub-regions: Médoc (Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux, Saint-Estèphe)
- Right Bank: Merlot dominant; sub-regions: Saint-Émilion, Pomerol (Pétrus)
- 1855 Classification: official ranking of top Médoc châteaux from 1st to 5th Growth (Cru Classé)
- Graves/Pessac-Léognan: Left Bank south of Bordeaux; red and white wines; Château Haut-Brion
- Sauternes: sweet botrytised white wines (Sémillon dominant); Château d'Yquem = 1er Cru Supérieur
- Entre-Deux-Mers: dry white wines; largest volume production area between the two rivers
Level 3 Exam Tips
- 1.The 1855 Classification only covers Médoc (and Haut-Brion from Graves) — NOT the whole of Bordeaux.
- 2.Left Bank = Cab Sauv; Right Bank = Merlot. This geography-grape link is always tested.
- 3.Pomerol has no official classification yet contains Pétrus — the world's most expensive Merlot.
- 4.Sauternes First Growth Superior (1er Cru Supérieur) = Château d'Yquem — unique category above 1st Growth.
Common Exam Mistakes
- ✗Thinking the 1855 Classification covers all Bordeaux — it is only for Médoc châteaux (plus Haut-Brion)
- ✗Placing Pomerol or Saint-Émilion on the Left Bank — both are Right Bank appellations
- ✗Forgetting Sauternes is in Bordeaux — it is a sweet wine appellation south of the city
Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Bordeaux 1855 Classification?
- The 1855 Classification ranked 61 Médoc châteaux (plus Château Haut-Brion from Graves) into five growth categories (Premier Cru through Cinquième Cru) based on price and reputation at the time. It remains largely unchanged. First Growths (Premier Cru Classé) include Châteaux Margaux, Latour, Lafite-Rothschild, Mouton-Rothschild, and Haut-Brion.