On the playing field of Bordeaux appellations, a new match is about to kick off. On one side, Bérengère, winegrower at Château Lusseau, steps up as captain of the Graves PDO. On the other, Jeanne, Head of Communications at Château Lafaurie, proudly carries the colours of Puisseguin Saint-Émilion. This may be a friendly face‑off, but make no mistake: the contest is real. Ready to explore the strengths of each side?
At the starting line: Bordeaux’s Left Bank takes on the Right Bank
Without further delay, Graves sound the opening whistle of this 100% Bordeaux encounter. Located south of Bordeaux on the Left Bank of the Garonne, the vineyards cover around 3,300 hectares. Their defining feature? Exceptionally light, free‑draining soils that ensure optimal water supply to the vines — and, in turn, ideal grape ripeness. The appellation even takes its name from these famous graves: a mix of sand and pebbles, formed from Pyrenean stones carried down by the Garonne over millennia.
At the other end of the pitch, Puisseguin Saint-Émilion is rooted in the rolling landscapes of the Right Bank, on the Dordogne side, in the Libournais. Spanning 730 hectares northeast of the village of Saint-Émilion, it is one of the four Saint-Émilion satellite appellations, alongside Saint-Émilion, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru and Lussac Saint-Émilion. With an enviable south to south‑east exposure and clay‑limestone soils, the terroir excels at retaining freshness — even during the hottest summers.
Craft and commitment: passionate winegrowers shoulder to shoulder
Graves’ secret weapon? History. As the oldest wine appellation in Bordeaux, its know‑how dates back to Antiquity — nothing less. The Romans themselves chose these distinctive lands to plant the region’s very first vines. In this original cradle of Gironde viticulture, family stories unfold across generations. Today, more than 180 winegrowers devote themselves to crafting Graves wines with both enthusiasm and rigour. Add to that a strong culture of hospitality and innovation, and you have the hallmark of the appellation.
Puisseguin Saint-Émilion, meanwhile, shines through its artisanal excellence. Across around a hundred human‑scale estates, vines are tended like garden plants, with patience, precision and care. Each vine is nurtured with a long‑term vision in mind, preserving both heritage and future potential. This balance between tradition and forward momentum is the beating heart of the appellation. And if there’s one thing that truly sets Puisseguin Saint‑Émilion’s winegrowers apart, it’s their genuine pleasure in welcoming visitors and sharing their passion with fellow wine lovers whenever they can.
The final stretch of a close contest: three colours or one?
With the score still wide open, it’s time to head to the tasting table and see if we can separate the two AOCs. And here, Graves reveal their chameleon‑like nature, thanks to one of the appellation’s defining traits: three wine colours. Red wines, dry whites and sweet whites all share the spotlight. The reds are crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec, while the whites draw on Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon Gris. Fine and elegant, each wine expresses its terroir in its own way. The result? Remarkable diversity in the glass, and a vineyard revealed through multiple facets.
In Puisseguin Saint‑Émilion, there’s no colour variation — just an unwavering focus on red. And what reds they are. In these gentle hills, the vines enjoy tailor‑made conditions for flourishing black grape varieties. Merlot reigns supreme, accounting for around 80% of plantings, supported by Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines that emerge are generous and structured, with firm yet silky tannins and the ability to age gracefully for many years. In short, outstanding reds that play their part in Saint‑Émilion’s international reputation.
So, time for the verdict: which appellation wins this battle in your eyes? As far as we’re concerned, it’s impossible to choose. We’ll happily dodge the decision — and invite you instead to feel the thrill of another AOC battle, this time featuring rosé wines and sparkling bottles.