What Is Bordeaux Blanc? A Guide to White Bordeaux Wine

By Bob Orlandi. Originally published October 21, 2015, in Wine Regions; updated October 2026.

Yes, Bordeaux produces mainly red wine, but did you know that roughly one bottle in ten from the region is white? The best dry white Bordeaux, especially from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, belong in the same class as the world's great white wines. They are crisp and fresh when young, and the top bottlings can age beautifully for years.

What Is Bordeaux Blanc?

Bordeaux Blanc simply means white wine from Bordeaux. On a label you will see it as Bordeaux Blanc, or under a more specific appellation such as Pessac-Léognan, Graves or Entre-Deux-Mers. Pessac-Léognan, just south of the city of Bordeaux, is home to the most celebrated dry whites, including those from Haut-Brion, La Mission Haut-Brion, Domaine de Chevalier, Smith Haut Lafitte, Pape Clément and Carbonnieux.

Some famous estates elsewhere in Bordeaux also make a white wine. Because appellations like Margaux and Pauillac are reserved for red wine, Médoc whites such as Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux and Aile d'Argent from Mouton Rothschild are labeled simply as Bordeaux. The same is true of the dry whites from Sauternes estates, like the popular "Y" (Ygrec) from Château d'Yquem.

Is Bordeaux Blanc Dry?

Yes. Wine labeled Bordeaux Blanc, Pessac-Léognan Blanc, Graves Blanc or Entre-Deux-Mers is a dry white wine. The confusion comes from the fact that Bordeaux is also famous for sweet white wines, and it helps to know the difference:

• Dry white Bordeaux: Bordeaux Blanc, Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Entre-Deux-Mers and the Bordeaux-labeled whites from Médoc and Sauternes estates. Crisp, fresh and food-friendly.
• Sweet white Bordeaux: Sauternes, Barsac, Loupiac, Cadillac, Cérons and Sainte-Croix-du-Mont. These are dessert wines, usually made from grapes affected by "noble rot" (botrytis), which concentrates their sugar.

So if you are wondering whether Bordeaux is a dry wine, the answer is that the reds and the Bordeaux Blancs are dry, while Sauternes and its neighbors are the sweet exceptions.

What Grapes Are Used in White Bordeaux?

Unlike many dry white wine regions that focus on a single grape, Bordeaux relies mainly on two: Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, with smaller amounts of Muscadelle and a few other permitted varieties. Sauvignon Blanc brings citrus, freshness and bright acidity, while Sémillon adds body, texture and the ability to develop richer flavors with age.

Most white Bordeaux are blends, and the proportions vary by estate. Many Pessac-Léognan whites lean toward Sauvignon Blanc, while others give Sémillon a larger role. Producers typically ferment at cool temperatures to preserve fresh aromas, and the top estates often ferment and age their wines in oak barrels. Many avoid malolactic fermentation so the wines stay fresh and crisp, and aging the wine on its lees is common, resulting in a richer, more complex wine.

What Does Bordeaux Blanc Taste Like?

I, personally, appreciate these wines because the citrus freshness of a Bordeaux Blanc is a pure pleasure to sip on a hot summer day (of which we have plenty here in Sonoma). Expect flavors of lemon, grapefruit and white peach, often with a fresh herbal note from the Sauvignon Blanc. Sémillon gives the wine a rounder, waxy texture, and barrel-aged examples can show subtle notes of toast and vanilla. With age, the best wines gain honeyed, nutty complexity while keeping their freshness.

Food Pairings for White Bordeaux

Bordeaux Blanc is a wonderfully versatile food wine. It pairs perfectly with:

• Oysters, shellfish and grilled or roasted fish
• Grilled vegetables and fresh salads
• Goat cheese and other fresh cheeses
• Roast chicken, turkey and pork

It is also a great choice for a Thanksgiving meal, or for white wine lovers any day of the week. Serve it well chilled, but not ice cold, so its aromas can show.

Can White Bordeaux Age?

The best feature of Bordeaux Blanc is its ability to age gracefully. Lighter, everyday Bordeaux Blanc and Entre-Deux-Mers are usually best enjoyed within a few years of the vintage. The top Pessac-Léognan whites are a different story: they are wonderful to drink young, but even more amazing after several years in the bottle, and the greatest examples can develop for decades.

When you indulge in one of these wines, you can expect a stunning, character-filled, sublime experience. To explore our current selection, shop white Bordeaux wines at Aabalat.