When exploring Bordeaux wines, you’ll often hear the terms Left Bank and Right Bank. These labels aren’t just about geography — they hint at the wine’s style, grape composition, and even ageing potential. Between these two famous regions lies Entre-Deux-Mers, known mainly for crisp, refreshing whites, offering yet another expression of Bordeaux’s diversity. Whether you’re shopping for a refined dinner pairing or a collectible bottle, understanding the difference can help you choose a wine that perfectly matches your taste.

Bordeaux is divided by the Gironde estuary, which splits into the Garonne and Dordogne rivers.
Left Bank: West and south of the Gironde & Garonne rivers.
Right Bank: East and north of the Gironde & Dordogne rivers.
Entre-Deux-Mers: The “in-between” region between the Garonne and Dordogne, famed for aromatic white wines made mainly from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle.
These areas each have distinct climates, soils, and winemaking traditions, resulting in unique wine styles.
Differences | Left Bank | Right Bank |
Grape |
Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blends
|
Merlot-dominant blends |
Soil | The Left Bank’s soil features a limestone foundation topped with a layer of gravel. With little clay to hold moisture, the vines are forced to dig deeper for water — a challenge that often results in grapes with more concentrated flavours. |
On the Right Bank, clay dominates the soil composition, with significantly less gravel, creating cooler, moisture-retentive conditions that favour Merlot and contribute to its plush, rounded character.
|
Profile |
Bigger, bolder, and built to age, these wines are tannic and firmly structured, offering fresh aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, and licorice, accented by subtle hints of mint.
|
Silky smooth and supple in their youth, these softer, fruitier wines feature gentle tannins and ripe fruit, making them perfect for early enjoyment. On the nose and palate, they reveal abundant notes of blackberry, cherry, and violet.
|
Classification |
1855 Classification- five First Growth estates of Bordeaux, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth growth estates
|
Premier Grand Cru Classé designation- “A” and “B” rankings |
Key Appellations |
Pauillac, Margaux, Saint-Estèphe, Saint-Julien |
Pomerol, St-Émilion, Fronsac |
So, are you team Left Bank or Right Bank?
Either way, shop our collections easily here: