When you think of budget wines, Bordeaux likely doesn’t come to mind. But there’s so much more to the region than expensive bottles made by high-end producers. In fact, one can snag a very good bottle of Bordeaux for a fraction of the cost. Don't believe us? Our tasting department at Wine Enthusiast pulled together their favorite budget Bordeaux picks for $25 or less. What Is Bordeaux Wine? Bordeaux is often used as a catch-all name for wines produced in the French appellation of Bordeaux. They include some of the best wines in the world, but also mass-produced, blended wines of little note. Wines produced in specific areas within Bordeaux that follow precise French winemaking practices or have highly-valued reputations are more likely to be labeled as such. Common districts include Médoc, Graves, Sauternes and St-Émilion, but more specific villages, vineyards or chateaus may be on the label. The style of Bordeaux is largely dependent on where the wine was produced, the variety of grapes used and the winemaking methods. A Bordeaux can be red or white and dry, semi-sweet or sweet. Red Bordeaux wines are mostly made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and sometimes Cabernet Franc. They may also include Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenère. White Bordeaux wines tend to include Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, and depending on the exact blend, have medium body and acidity with herbal notes. They can also include Muscadelle. Ready to pop open a wow-worthy bottle? We have 10 under $25 perfect for enjoying tonight. The Best Bordeaux Bottles Under $25 Château Haut-Bergey 2019 Pessac-Léognan Château la Roque de By 2019 Cru Bourgeois (Médoc) Château Haut la Grenière 2019 Lussac Saint-Émilion Château Laulan 2020 Francs Côtes de Bordeaux Château Rocher de Joanin 2019 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux Château Clément-Pichon 2019 Cru Bourgeois (Haut-Médoc) Château Larose-Trintaudon 2019 Cru Bourgeois (Haut-Médoc) Château Fourcas Dupré 2018 Les Jardins de Fourcas-Dupré (Listrac-Médoc) Château Bellevue 2019 Bordeaux Supérieur Château La Maroutine 2019 Bordeaux FAQ How Much Does Good Bordeaux Cost? Bordeaux prices vary based on its quality, where the wine was produced and the specific vintage. But there are Bordeaux bottles for every budget. Even though some elite bottles can run thousands of dollars, there are some great bargain Bordeaux bottles out there, too. Try one of our new favorites from this list, or head to the archives to check out more Bordeaux bottles under $30. What Color Is Bordeaux? Bordeaux is arguably most famous for its dry red wines and sweet whites, but quality dry white wines, called Bordeaux blanc, are available as well. Where Is Bordeaux? About three hours south of Paris in the Southwest of France, this region lies along the Garonne River, which meets the Dordogne just north of the city. West of the Garonne are the districts of Médoc, Graves and Sauternes (referred to as the Left Bank) and to the northeast are Saint-Émilion and Pomerol (known as the Right Bank). Is Bordeaux Wine Sweet? Some Bordeaux wines may be sweet. The most popular sweet Bordeaux wine is Sauternes, made from mostly Sémillon grapes. This sweet white wine is made from grapes that have been impacted by botrytis, which shrivels the grapes and intensifies their flavors. Sauternes is high in sugar and acidity and known for its honeyed expression. What Is a Bordeaux Blend? The term "Bordeaux blend" is used to identify a wine produced in Bordeaux that uses a blend of multiple grape varieties. Why You Should Trust Us All products featured here are independently selected by our team, which is comprised of experienced writers and wine tasters and overseen by editorial professionals at Wine Enthusiast headquarters. All ratings and reviews are performed blind in a controlled setting and reflect the parameters of our 100-point scale. Wine Enthusiast does not accept payment to conduct any product review, though we may earn a commission on purchases made through links on this site. Prices were accurate at the time of publication.