Bordeaux is the largest fine-wine producing region in the world and lies at a confluence of the major rivers of France – the Garonne and the Dordogne. It can be roughly split in two: the Left Bank is dominated by gravel soils and the Cabernet Sauvignon grape, and is home to the revered communes such as St Julien, Pauillac and Margaux; the Right Bank is dominated by clay soils and Merlot, and is home to St Emilion and Pomerol. As suggested by its name, Bordeaux is close to large bodies of water, which mitigates extremes of weather in both summer and winter.
