(Forbes) - Two adjacent Bordeaux wine regions remain largely unknown and unappreciated by international wine consumers, as well as by many non-French visitors to southwest France. Wine châteaux here offer excellent value, and there are fewer tourists than in the nearby famed Médoc or Saint Emilion regions. Their surroundings are also visually impressive.

Less than an hour drive northeast of Bordeaux city, the ancient cities of Blaye (pronounced BLYE) and Bourg perch on the ‘right bank,’ or eastern side, of Europe’s largest estuary—the Gironde. From here, soldiers once wielded their cold steel of swordsmanship to defend against invaders sailing south to attack Bordeaux city.

Romans built Bourg as a river port—and merchants lived in lavish villas funded from wine profits. It later exported medieval timber catapults designed to smash walls of castles under siege. Further north, Blaye garrisoned troops defending estuary waters. So strategic was Blaye that every king of France (except one) visited, as did Thomas Jefferson, wine aficionado, and eventual United States president, who traveled by boat from Bordeaux city.