Generous and full-bodied
Médocs wines are structured, robust, generous and full-bodied, with aromas of liquorice, and red and black berries. These wines have an excellent ageing potential and develop wonderful bouquets with age, combining animal (leather, fur) and roasted aromas (moka), as well as aromas of prune, cedar or truffle.
The two dominant varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which alone represents 50% of planted surfaces. Petit Verdot and Malbec are sometimes added to improve the tannic structure, robe and fruitiness of wines during blending.
"In the middle of the water"
This important Bordeaux appellation includes all of the winemaking areas north of Bordeaux, on the Left Bank of the Gironde. However, it is mostly in the northern point of the peninsula that the majority of the Médoc AOC wines are produced.
Médoc comes from the Latin means "in medio aquæ", which means "in the middle of the water". The geographic disposition of this peninsula, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gironde river on the other, confers a gentle and temperate climate.
The Médoc soils are composed of terraces of alluvial gravel deposits, separated by tiny streams which comprises an excellent draining system. These light soils are very appropriate for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, which is thought to originate from this region. Merlot, on the other hand, prefers deep clay soils located between the gravely terraces.
Average yearly production: 277 360 hL
Declared surface (2009): 5 652 ha
Visit the Médoc AOC’s web site.
