Think you know Bordeaux? Think again

White wines from the Médoc. Red wines carrying the Entre-deux-Mers name. The return of Bordeaux Claret.  If those combinations sound surprising, you're not alone.  For many people, Bordeaux means structured red blends, famous châteaux and centuries of tradition. Yet some of the region's most interesting developments are happening well beyond the wines it's best known for.  During a recent WSET webinar with the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB), three emerging appellations and styles took centre stage: Médoc Blanc, Entre-deux-Mers Rouge and the newly redefined Bordeaux Claret.  None appeared overnight. Each has roots stretching back years, or even centuries, but now has a clearer identity and a bigger role to play in Bordeaux's future. Together, they show how one of the world's most established wine regions continues to adapt without losing the character that made it famous.    A new chapter for Bordeaux  New appellations often make headlines because they sound like something completely new. In Bordeaux, the story is a little different.  White grapes have been grown in the Médoc for centuries, even though the peninsula is famous for Cabernet Sauvignon and classified growths. Red wines have always been made in Entre-deux-Mers, despite the appellation being associated almost entirely with whites. Bordeaux Claret also has a long history, reviving a style that has been part of the region's identity for generations.  The new appellations recognise these wines more clearly and give producers new opportunities to showcase them. They also reflect practical changes taking place across Bordeaux. Growers are responding to warmer growing seasons, evolving consumer preferences and increasing expectations around sustainability. The wines may be familiar to local producers, but they're likely to feel new to many wine drinkers.    Médoc Blanc finally gets its own identity  When people think of the Médoc, white wine rarely comes to mind.  The peninsula is home to some of Bordeaux's most famous red wines, including many of the châteaux recognised in the 1855 Classification. Yet white grapes have been planted here for centuries, often on sites where local conditions favour them.  The creation of AOP Médoc Blanc gives those wines an identity of their own for the first time.  As Mary Gorman-McAdams MW explained during the webinar, the appellation reflects the character of the whole peninsula rather than a single village or classification. Vineyards stretch from the outskirts of Bordeaux north towards the Gironde Estuary, with a landscape shaped by gravel, sand, clay and pebbles left behind over thousands of years. The Atlantic Ocean and the estuary help moderate temperatures throughout the growing season, creating conditions well suited to fresh yet structured white wines.  Unlike the Médoc's red appellations, there is no hierarchy within Médoc Blanc. Every producer works under the same appellation, whether they're close to Bordeaux city or further north on the peninsula.    Sustainability is written into the rules  Environmental standards form part of the appellation from the outset.  Every producer using the Médoc Blanc name must hold recognised environmental certification. Biodiversity also features prominently. Wetlands, marshes and protected habitats are common across the peninsula, and vineyard management is expected to support these ecosystems rather than compete with them.  The rules also allow a small number of approved adaptive grape varieties, including Albariño and several disease-resistant crossings. Their inclusion gives growers more flexibility as growing conditions continue to change, while keeping the focus firmly on Bordeaux's established white wine style.    Built with ageing in mind  Many white Bordeaux wines are made for early drinking. Médoc Blanc sets a different expectation.  At least 30% of every wine must spend time in oak. The aim isn't pronounced oak flavour, but greater texture, complexity and ageing potential.  The appellation also controls when the wines reach the market. Bottles remain at the estate until 31 March following harvest and cannot be released before 15 April. Every vintage is assessed through annual quality controls before producers can use the appellation.  Within those rules, winemakers still have plenty of freedom. Sauvignon Blanc is expected to feature prominently, alongside Sémillon, Sauvignon Gris and Muscadelle. Some producers favour classic Bordeaux blends, while others are experimenting with single-varietal expressions.  The first vintage gives an indication of the appellation's scale. Twenty-nine growers declared AOP Médoc Blanc across 63 hectares, producing around 200,000 bottles. With more than 200 hectares of white grapes already planted across the Médoc, there is clear room for the category to expand.    A fresh look at Bordeaux Claret One message came through clearly during the webinar: Bordeaux knows its reputation.  Around the world, the region is associated with fine wine, famous châteaux and cellar-worthy reds. Those strengths have built Bordeaux's reputation over centuries, but consumer research presented by Claire Dawson also revealed a challenge. Many younger drinkers see Bordeaux as a wine for formal occasions rather than something to enjoy on a Tuesday evening with friends.  Bordeaux Claret has been refreshed with those changing habits in mind.  Although the name has centuries of history, today's style is lighter, fruit-forward and designed for more relaxed drinking occasions.  Claire described Claret as sitting between Bordeaux Rosé and Bordeaux Rouge. It has the colour and structure of a red wine, but with softer tannins, vibrant fruit and plenty of freshness.  The production rules leave winemakers room to experiment. All authorised Bordeaux red grape varieties are permitted, and single-varietal wines are allowed alongside blends. Merlot has proved particularly popular thanks to its generous fruit profile, though producers are exploring different combinations to express the style.  The wines must reach at least 11% ABV, while residual sugar can be as high as 7g/l if balanced by acidity. The result is still a dry red wine with a softer, more approachable profile.  Serving temperature was another point discussed during the webinar. Bordeaux Claret is intended to be enjoyed slightly chilled, making it well suited to warm evenings, outdoor dining and occasions where many people might otherwise choose rosé, white wine or even beer.      Curious to learn more?  If you're enjoying this article and want to deepen your understanding of wine, WSET qualifications explore grape varieties, wine styles, production and the world's major wine regions in much greater detail.  Find a WSET course provider near you.   A new identity for Entre-deux-Mers Rouge  Entre-deux-Mers has always been a place of red and white vineyards.  Its reputation, however, has largely been built on white wines. The introduction of Entre-deux-Mers Rouge with the 2023 vintage gives the region's red wines their own appellation.  The name Entre-deux-Mers often causes confusion. It translates as "between two seas", but the reference isn't to the sea itself. Instead, it describes the tidal influence that travels inland along the Garonne and Dordogne rivers from the Atlantic Ocean.  Not every producer in the region can use the appellation.  Growers must commit specific vineyard parcels before the growing season begins, and those vineyards must meet stricter production standards, including a minimum planting density of 4,500 vines per hectare. Chemical weeding is prohibited, and every wine is assessed before bottling.  The wines also spend longer before release. Bottles cannot reach the market until January of the second year after harvest, giving producers time to develop greater harmony and complexity.  Estelle Roumage explained how the region's clay and limestone soils shape the style. Clay contributes body and structure, while limestone helps preserve freshness and elegance. Blending also remains central to the appellation, with no single grape variety permitted to make up more than 80% of the finished wine.  Production is still relatively small, involving a limited number of independent growers and cooperative wineries. That scale allows producers to focus on carefully selected vineyard sites and wines that express the character of the region.    What these wines tell us about Bordeaux  The three styles explored during the webinar have plenty of differences, but they also point in the same direction.  Growers are adapting vineyards to warmer growing seasons. Sustainability requirements are becoming part of appellation rules. Consumer preferences continue to evolve, influencing everything from grape varieties to serving suggestions.  Bordeaux's foundations haven't changed. Blending, terroir and appellation remain at the heart of the region. What has changed is the range of wines now carrying Bordeaux's name, giving producers new ways to express places and styles that have long existed.    There's always more to discover  It's easy to think of Bordeaux as a region you already understand.  Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot. Classified growths. Age-worthy reds.  Those wines remain central to Bordeaux's identity, but they're no longer the whole picture.  Médoc Blanc shines a light on white wines that have been grown on the peninsula for centuries. Bordeaux Claret gives historic roots a contemporary expression. Entre-deux-Mers Rouge provides a dedicated home for red wines that have long been part of the region's landscape.  The next time you see one of these names on a label, take a closer look.  You might discover a side of Bordeaux you weren't expecting.        Continue your drinks education  Enjoyed this article?  Whether you're looking to build your knowledge for work or simply explore your passion for wine, WSET qualifications help you understand what's in your glass with confidence.  Find a course provider.