Bordeaux sits on France's Atlantic coast and divides naturally around the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. The Left Bank, with appellations such as Médoc and Pauillac, is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, producing powerful, tannic reds with long ageing potential. The Right Bank — Saint-Émilion and Pomerol — relies more on Merlot, yielding softer, fruitier styles. White Bordeaux, especially from Graves and Pessac-Léognan, is made from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Sauternes is world-famous for its botrytis-affected sweet wine. The label always states the appellation, never the grape variety.