Bordeaux whites and crémants: Energy, freshness and renewal

On the move

Bordeaux is undergoing a quiet but profound transformation. For generations, the region has been synonymous with red wines – yet today, the region’s dry whites and sparkling Crémant de Bordeaux are just as compelling, with producers showcasing a diverse, approachable and vibrant side.

These Atlantic-influenced expressions capture the essence of renewal: crisp, lively, and ideal for modern enjoyment – as a refreshing aperitif on a summer’s day, a casual glass with friends, or a thoughtful food pairing.

Philippe Tapie, wine merchant and vice-president of the Bordeaux Wine Council (CIVB), captures the shift: ‘Modernity is the key word and we’re making sure Bordeaux is moving in the right direction. Bordeaux wines can be fashionable and trendy. While there’s of course a broader movement, the two categories of crémants and dry whites are key to the new vision we have for the region.’

Crémant de Bordeaux: Contemporary sparkle

Crémant de Bordeaux symbolises the region’s contemporary sparkle. Production has tripled over the past decade, now around 3-4% of total output (with white crémant dominating over rosé, at 90%). Grapes are hand-harvested using traditional methods, yielding fine, persistent bubbles and classic Bordeaux aromas: citrus zest, orchard fruit, subtle florals, and occasional creamy notes from lees ageing.

These wines are versatile and food-friendly – perfect for cocktails, aperitifs, garden gatherings, or light meals. Its affordability and rising popularity (with the UK as a major export market) demonstrate how Bordeaux has successfully repositioned sparkling wine from occasional celebration to everyday pleasure, drawing on its deep winemaking heritage to create high-quality alternatives.

‘Bordeaux producers know how to make world-class wines and they’re now putting that knowledge, expertise and investment into sparkling wines,’ Philippe Tapie says.

Dry whites: A heritage awakened

Dry whites have deep roots in Bordeaux. Until the 1970s, the region actually produced more white than red wine, with Sauvignon Blanc (originating there) and Sémillon as key varieties.

Today, dry whites account for about 10.5% of production, spread across 12 appellations benefiting from the Atlantic’s moderating influence. Cooling breezes and mild maritime conditions deliver natural freshness and vitality. In the Entre-deux-Mers, Côtes de Bordeaux and regional Bordeaux AOP, wines burst with bright citrus, green apple, and tropical hints for immediate refreshment.

In Graves and Pessac-Léognan, expressions gain complexity: mineral undertones, subtle texture, and layered depth from gravelly soils and careful blending. Philippe Tapie wants to build on the historical foundation of white wine making: ‘We have a fantastic history and we have the credibility from our past so it’s time to capitalise on it for our future. We want to make wines people want to drink and we’re seeing white wine increase in popularity.’

Innovation in unexpected terroirs

This revival thrives on bold innovation with production of dry whites happening in once unlikely areas like those historically associated with sweet wines. In the Sauternais producers now also offer intriguing and expressive dry versions balancing richness with acidity, featuring apricot, peach and tropical notes. Most recently, the Médoc – a heartland of Cabernet Sauvignon reds – has introduced Médoc Blanc AOP (previously classified under the Bordeaux Blanc appellation).

Approved for the 2025 vintage (with EU finalisation in early 2026), it permits official dry white production in communes such as Pauillac, St‐Estèphe, Listrac‐Médoc and Moulis under the Médoc AOP, with the first bottles now reaching the market.

These developments highlight Bordeaux’s adaptability: single-varietal Sauvignon Blancs deliver crystalline purity and zesty precision, while blends with Sémillon (sometimes Muscadelle or Sauvignon Gris) add creamy weight and nuance. Viticultural advances - gentler canopy management, earlier harvesting, and restrained oak – yield balanced, energetic wines ready to enjoy young.

Sustainability built into the future

Sustainability underpins this evolution. Over 75% of Bordeaux’s vineyard area holds certification (with a 100% target by 2030), nearly a quarter is farmed organically, and greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by 37% since 2007.

These practices protect the land while enhancing quality: purer fruit, brighter acidity, and truer terroir expression – ensuring relevance and resilience.

A spectrum for modern pleasure

Dry whites and crémants showcase Bordeaux’s true breadth and inclusivity: refreshing summer sippers, structured partners for seafood and salads, or nuanced matches for white meats and cheeses.

They celebrate the French art de vivre – prioritising emotion, passion, connection and shared enjoyment over formality. Bordeaux today invites rediscovery: energetic, sustainable, surprising, and full of life, with something vibrant and relevant for every palate and occasion.

Château de Bonhoste, B de Bonhoste NV

93pts

This somewhat unusual HVE-certified blend of Sémillon, Colombard and Ugni Blanc is fresh and so fruity – like a tinned fruit cocktail with lemon, apple, almost-sweet pineapple and mango. Really fun with plenty of personality, good acidity and focus, a long finish. Alcohol 12%

David Arnaud, Le Crémant de Gabriel NV

92pts

Soft herbal touches with citrus and orchard fruit aromas. This organic 100% Sémillon is full of juicy lemon, lime and apple fruit, with a crisp yet creamy texture that is fresh and mouthfilling. Lovely complexity and character, will stand up to food. Alc 11%

Château Grand Secret, Petit Secret NV

92pts

Slightly herbal – fennel, mint, vanilla and lime on the nose. This blend of 60% Sémillon and 40% Cabernet Franc has piercing acidity yet real intensity and persistence with crisp, cool fruit. Juicy lime, zesty lemon and crisp green apple. Slight toasted edge on the finish suggestive of ageing in wood. Well made. Alc 12.5%

Les Cordeliers, Grand Vintage Blanc Brut 2020

92pts

100% Cabernet Franc. Clean and crisp – freshly-picked green apples with piercing acidity, whilst creamy, toasted notes give weight and body to the palate. All balanced with notes of soft honey, vanilla, white chocolate, brioche, caramel and flint on the finish. Lovely construction. Alc 12%

Bordeaux Families, Louis Vallon Blanc Brut NV

91 pts

Floral and fragrant nose with lemongrass, lime and white flowers, peach and pear. Juicy and lively with a toasted peach and slightly bitter and creamy white chocolate edge. Aromatic and floral on the palate with a grippy hold until the finish. This blend of 80% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc and 3% Sémillon ends with a minty, stony mineral tang. Alc 12%

Vignobles J. Queyrens & Fils, Chapput NV

91pts

Orchard fruit aromas. Lively and refreshing, this HVE-certified 100% Sémillon has an immediate kick of creamy lemon and peach with tiny bubbles that give energy and focus. Clean and dry, great as an aperitif – zingy with a long finish. Lovely. Alc 11.5%

Château Camille Gaucheraud, Experience NV

91pts

100% Sauvignon. Lovely florality on the nose – honeysuckle, acacia and lemons. Zesty and fresh, a delicious, soft and creamy green apple tang with lively acidity. An exotic pineapple note – sweet and very softly bitter – gives nice contrast. Organic, HVE-certified and biodynamic. Offers a good combination between fruit density and freshness, well suited as an aperitif or with food. Alc 12.5%

Château Patache d’Aux, Les Chevaux de Patache d’Aux 2024

92pts

Lively and so zesty, this HVE-certified 100% Sauvignon Blanc is full of citrus intensity with fragrant floral peach notes too. Precise and focused. A great apero wine and good for seafood – with a touch of sweetness and exotic fruit. Drink on a summer’s day. Alc 11.5%

Château Penin, Cabanes 2024

92pts

Full of energy with a sharp, tangy, bite to the lemon, lime, green apple and pear notes on the palate, with peach and floral aromatics which bring nice nuances to the citrus fruit and acidity. Laser-sharp precision but with an enjoyable soft, creamy finish. An HVE-certified blend of Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris. Alc 12.5%

Mission Saint-Vincent 2024

91pts

This HVE-certified 100% Sauvignon Blanc is full of intense lemon sherbet zestiness with a precise core of crisp green apple. Lively and bright – but delivered with balance and harmony. Great persistence and cool, mineral, flinty bite on the finish. Perfect with seafood or for apero hour. Alc 11%

Kressmann Monopole 2025

91pts

Fragrant flowers – jasmine and honeysuckle with lime. Fun and lively, this has an initial burst of clean and crisp energy with green apple and hints of grapefruit. Lots of focus and push but very well balanced with some flint, wet stone notes on the finish. HVE-certified 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Alc 12%

Château Lascaux 2025

90pts

Fresh white stone fruit on the nose. This HVE-certified blend of 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Sauvignon Gris, 12% Muscadelle and 8% Sémillon is soft and creamy – but lifted by lovely cooling lemon and lime that keeps it from feeling too heavy. Smooth, round, and easy to drink, with moreish mouthwatering acidity. Alc 13%

Château La Braulterie, Le Blanc 2025

91pts

White chocolate, elderflower and green apple. Zesty and upfront, a lovely initial tang of citrus fruits with high acidity and a clean texture. This organic 100% Sauvignon Blanc has plenty of energy and focus with long-lasting flavours right through to the finish. Clean, well defined, harmonious. Alc 13.5%

Château Monconseil-Gazin, Blanc Prestige 2024

91pts

Very floral and aromatic, with acacia, jasmine, pot pourri and licks of creamy peach and pear. Some oak here too – toasted edges, buttery, vanilla, caramel and honey which just lingers on the finish. 80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Sémillon. Terra Vitis-certified. Alc 13%

Château Les Bertrands, Cuvée Prestige 2024

91pts

Sharp and tangy initially, with fresh citrus fruit, juice and rind with buttery, caramel, vanilla and toasted edges; notes of baked patisserie add complexity. This HVE-certified 100% Sauvignon Blanc is long, structured and bold, with evident oak. A gourmet food wine with a sherbet lemon tang. Alc 13%

Château Lacaussade Saint-Martin, Trois Moulins 2025

90pts

Something really fragrant about the nose with toasted cedar and soft spice – caramel, vanilla, burnt lemon patisserie. Clear oak influence. There’s plenty of fruit, acidity and energy here: it’s just a little larger and more bold in its presentation than some others. An HVE-certified blend of 60% Sémillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Sauvignon Gris. Alc 13%

Château Haut-Meneau, L’Approche 2024

90pts

Sharp and fresh, with an instant kick of citrus lemon and lime fruit but also a fat, rich thickness that gives texture and round mouthfeel. With buttery vanilla, this feels well built with structure and length. This enjoyable, balanced white is an organic blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon. Alc 13%

Château La Carelle, Blanc Agrume 2025

90pts

Grassy, herbal and green apple notes on the nose. A lovely vibrancy on the palate: bright, freshly-picked green apple and citrus dominate and last until the finish. Clean and focused, this HVE and Terra Vitis-certified blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon delivers a fresh and fruity glass of wine. Alc 12.5%

Château de Fontenille 2024

92pts

An organic blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Muscadelle, 10% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Sémillon. Aromatic on the nose with notes of peaches and pear drops. Zingy lemon and lime, but with a cool, creamy, wet stone character on the finish. Fun, lifted and full of flavour. A hint of tropical pineapple and mango gives a touch of sweetness. Real personality and character. Alc 12.5%

Château Haut-Tellas, OVOID 2022

91pts

Forward and focused, this has lovely acidity with a cool freshness too. Clean and persistent with a wet stone character on the finish. Concentrated, intense but balanced, long and refreshing. A lovely crystalline wine: precise and well made. An organic blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon. Alc 12%

Château Lestrille 2024

90pts

Yellow gold colour. Cedar notes with buttery vanilla on the nose. Crisp and fresh, a deep core of baked lemon patisserie,touches of biscuit, pear, peach and cream. Intense and bright mouthwatering acidity with a long finish. A touch bitter on the finish, but this organic and Bee Friendly-certified blend of 78% Sauvignon Blanc, 7% Sauvignon Gris and 15% Muscadelle has power too. Alc 13%

Château Puyanché 2024

91pts

Creamy and fragrant, a nice kick of lemon citrus acidity and freshness. Touches of bitterness in the form of slightly caramelised pineapple, mint and wet stones. This HVE-certified blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sémillon has personality and lots of flavour, all in balance. Good chilled on its own or with white meat and salads. Alc 13.5%

Château Malartic-Lagravière 2023

94pts

80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon. Complex, with bitterness, creaminess, energy, and sherbet notes from the citrus fruit, which is lively and zesty with a crystalline purity. Feels a bit young but there’s plenty of personality here, with a long lasting, lemon and pineapple fruit finish. HVE, Sustainable Impact, and Agriculture raisonnée-certified. Alc 13%

Château Haut-Bergey, 4 Eléments 2023

94pts

Juicy and fruity, this organic, biodynamic90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Sémillonblend is fun with so much personality. Pineapple fruit, almost bitter – but sweet and creamy too. With a fresh, citrus tang, this is great. Good with food, feels serious and well built, with harmony, balance and a long finish. Alc 13%

Château Latour-Martillac 2023

94pts

60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon. Wonderfully pure lemon and lime with crystalline nuances, piercing acidity. Juicy and fresh, but so well balanced, with a mouthwatering, sweet but bitter pineapple character. Really great stuff, almost creamy on the finish. HVE-certified. Alc 13%

Château Carbonnieux 2022

93pts

This blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon is zesty and fun with brightness and tang. Lots of flavour and personality here, with lemon and lime and also a touch of oak and vanilla giving strength and savouriness and persistent acidity. HVE-certified, complex and characterful. Great stuff. Alc 13.5%

Château de Rochemorin 2023

93pts

Fruit forward and alive, this HVE and Sustainable Impact-certified 100% Sauvignon Blanc has excellent intensity and concentration from the start – pineapple, mango and grapefruit combine to give a lively and enjoyable expression that ends fresh and clean with wet stones. Touches of caramel lend a toasted note. Moreish. Alc 12.5%

Château La Garde 2024

93pts

Crisp and exciting, this HVE-certified blend of 93% Sauvignon Blanc and 7% Sémillon has great energy and focus with a penetrating core of freshly-picked green apple and lime juice. Balanced and precise, with a mineral finish. Drink on its own or with food. Alc 12.5%

Château Baret 2023

93pts

Bright and zesty, this is punchy and lively with a sherbet pineapple and lemon tang. Clean, well made and long. This HVE-certified 100% Sauvignon Blanc is juicy with hints of sweetness – but remains fresh and refreshing. Complex, characterful and long with hints of salted caramel, lemon verbena and mango. Alc 12.5%

Château Brown Le Colombier deBrown 2023

91pts

This is fun and lively with pineapple, lemon sherbet and a tangy note as well as some savoury dried herbs. Mouthwatering and moreish, this HVE-certified blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon is ideal for summer and would be great with seafood. Good grip and length. Buy if you like citrus-dominant wines. Alc 13%

Château L’Indécise 2024

92pts

70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Sémillon. Floral and aromatic on the nose and palate. Lovely notes of peach and pear drops, very flavourful and intense, not too high acidity but enough to keep this lifted. Great concentration from start to finish. Mouthwatering and bright with lots going on. Organic. Alc 12.5%

Château de Claribès, Sauvignon Cent pour Cent 2023

91pts

100% Sauvignon Blanc. Round and filling, this has a nice weight to the palate, slightly honeyed with a soft baked lemon pie character. Oak brings personality and complexity to the palate. It has brightness, focus and complexity. Good with food, even something hearty. Organic and vegan. Alc 14.5%

Château Villa Bel-Air 2023

92pts

Fresh and lifted, this has a nice initial burst of lemon citrus and grapefruit with tang and zing. Clean style that is light on the palate, but with lots of length and flavour persistence on the finish. Almost a sherbet tang and lots of minerality. Ends cool and fresh. This HVE-certified blend of 50% Sémillon and 50% Sauvignon Blanc is perfect for drinking on a sunny afternoon. Alc 12.5%

Château Crabitey 2024

92pts

Sharp and tangy, this has immediately high acidity that opens the palate with a kick and zing of crisp green apple, lime juice and some grapefruit energy. Flavourful and lively – this vegan and HVE-certified blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon has personality. Alc 12.5%

Château Lapinesse 2024

91pts

Aromatic and floral with peach on the nose and palate. Crunchy and crisp, lots of green apple and pear. Clean, mineral on the finish, some wet stones. Slightly tart, sour nuances really liven up this 100% Sémillon. Not the most complex but very enjoyable, perfect for picnics and BBQs. Organic. Alc 12%

Château Moutin 2023

91pts

Burnt lemon, caramelised peaches with some lime and orange juice, and a hint of sweet pineapple. Fruit-forward, clean and crystalline, with a lovely purity and focus. Ends cool and fresh with some minerality, wet stones and slate. This would work well with seafood, or with salty snacks as an aperitif. Ripe fruit in this HVE-certified blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon. Alc 13%

Château Caillivet 2024

90pts

50% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Sauvignon Gris and 40% Sémillon. Crisp peach and pear with some bruised apple and soft fragrant honeyed nuances. Tapers a little towards the finish, just lightening up in intensity. Some baked patisserie flavours and lemon meringue pie notes, with wet stones on the finish. Organic. Alc 12.5%

Discover more about the wines of Bordeaux: www.bordeaux.com/en

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All wines were tasted blind and supplied to Decanter to feature in paid-for content. Tasting was carried out at the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) headquarters in Bordeaux in early 2026.