Bordeaux is home to over 7,000 chateaux! The region is located in the south west of France, near the Atlantic coast around the city of Bordeaux, taking its name from here. The varieties of grapes grown in this region are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. It boasts a temperate climate with a short winter and a high degree of humidity generated by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The region stretches over a 6 mile radius of the city on the largest estuary in Europe along three rivers, (Gironde, Garonne, Dordogne) resulting in an ideal setting for wine growing.

It was during the 12th century that wine from the region described as 'claret' became popular in Britain and elsewhere. Later in the 17th century much of the swampy ground in the Medoc was drained and planted with vines. These vineyards went on to become some of the best in the region and now hold all but one of the Premier Cru Classe Chateaux for red wine in Bordeaux.

In 1855 the official classification of the Chateaux of Bordeaux was made with Premier Cru Classe being defined as the absolute pinnacle. Whilst the 1855 classification is still valid today, it is a little misleading as each tier also has some over-performers and under-performers. Saint-Emilion has a slightly different classification that is updated every ten years, but even that is not without its flaws. Curiously, Pomerol where some of the very best Bordeaux is made does not have an official classification yet wines from this area are amongst the most expensive in the world.

In addition to some of the world's greatest red wine, Bordeaux also makes good white wine and some incredible dessert wines. Appellations such as Sauternes and Barsac famous for great sweet wines, whilst Graves usually make the best white wines.