Graves

Stretching 50km along the Garonne River, the Graves is named after its soil – a potent blend of gravels, clays and sands. Pebbles and stones mixed with silts and clays rest on soils that are far sandier than the norm – in fact pure sand or hardpan (iron-oxide cemented sand) can be found. Some of the top estates even have deposits of white quartz in their soils. Unusually for the region, two-thirds of Graves is dedicated to white wine growth with Semillon taking the place of honour. The appellation of Sauternes gives rise to some of the world’s most clamoured after dessert wines.

The leading light of Graves is Chateau Haut-Brion – its only first growth, the other four belonging to the Medoc. Many estates here have an illustrious history – Chateau Pape-Clement was, as the name suggests, founded by the soon-to-be pope Bertrand de Goth. Planted in 1300 and with seven hundred harvests under its belt it is the oldest wine estate in the Bordeaux – comparatively, the region of Medoc only came into existence when the then-marsh was drained by Dutch engineers in the 17th century!

Soils: Gravels, clays and sands that are carried down from the mountains by the Gironde.
Size: 3,000 hectares
Output: 22,000,000 bottles
Type of wine produced: Robust medium to full-bodied reds and noble dry whites.
Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc for reds. Semillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle for whites.