GRAVES
Want to visit Graves? Stay in a Chateau? Taste the wines ?

Click Here to get a trip organised for you
It was in the Graves commune that Bordeaux wine was first made and exported. It stretches from the Southern suburbs of Bordeaux to the Langdon. In 1987 a region containing all the 16 Grand Cru Classed Chateaux, mostly in the north of Graves, was designated a superior appellation: "Pessac-Leognan". Whilst Pessac-Leognan contains many of Grave's stars, there are attractive wines, both red and white, to be found in the South which combine good quality with value.

Wine
Red: Graves share a rich, roasted, fruity character with wines less full than in Pauillac. In fact they are similar to the refined, elegant Margaux, yet exhibit a fragrant earthiness when mature. The ends of the spectrum within this style are shown by two venerated Chateaux, Haut-Brion and La Mission-Haut-Brion, which face each other. Haut-Brion is one of the 5 Premier Grand-Cru Classé wines of Bordeaux and its wines are charming, distinguished and fragrant. La Mission-Haut-Brion is a fuller, richer and deeper coloured wine.
White: There has been a dramatic improvement in white wines from Bordeaux which are moving away from a harmless dry wine. This is particularly in Graves where the white can be delicious and complex. Most white Graves have a melony, herby, slightly oaky bouquet with a well-balanced medium body, and can often be surprisingly slight.

Terrain
Graves takes its name from the significant 'gravel' and sand in its soil, which is finer than elsewhere in Bordeaux. Further south there is some clay and limestone. The gravelly terrain leads to an elegant, lighter wine as is the case in the region of Margaux. The unique minerally earthiness of Graves wines is likely because the roots of the vine penetrate deep through the gravel to reach its nutrients and minerals.

This is definitely a region to scout when the vintage is wetter, as excellent wines can still be produced because the gravel allows good drainage. However, in years of drought good advice is required as the light soil can sometimes produce grapes which have been scorched.

  Click Below For other regions