One of the world?s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World, especially in?California,?Washington?and?Australia. Typically based on either?Cabernet Sauvignon?or?Merlot?and supported by?Cabernet Franc,?Malbec?and?Petit Verdot, these are sometimes referred to in the US as ?Meritage? blends. In?Bordeaux?itself, Cabernet Sauvignon dominates in wines from the Left Bank of the Gironde River, while the Right Bank focuses on Merlot. Often, blends from outside the region are classified as being inspired by one or the other.
