Lalande-de-Pomerol, mighty like a rose
Welcome to an extraordinary terroir, where passionate winemakers work tirelessly to craft great red wines with a natural elegance befitting their emblem: the rose. Lalande-de-Pomerol is all about taste, character and the art of making each and every visitor feel like an old friend.
What is the Lalande-de-Pomerol wine region?
Key points to remember
- 1,131 hectares and 143 winemakers, clustered around two flagship villages: Lalande-de-Pomerol and Néac.
- On Bordeaux’s famous Right Bank, a stone’s throw from Libourne, nestled between the Isle and Dordogne valleys. Protected by the Fronsac mound to the west and the cooling presence of the Atlantic Ocean less than 100 km away, vines thrive here in a micro-climate perfectly tailored to their needs: warm, dry summers and mild winters. A real haven!
- What’s more, the subsoils are densely packed with iron oxide and other minerals, topped off with an impressive patchwork of soils (clay-gravel, sandy clay, silty sand, etc.) capable of producing wines for all seasons. Too much information to squeeze in here, but if you’re curious to find out more then read on!
Why do people love Lalande-de-Pomerol and its wines?
- Because these are wines of great aromatic nuance, capable of complementing everything from traditional French dishes to vibrant Mediterranean flavors, and even some of the classics of Asian cuisine.
- Because these are wines that will elevate almost any dish, from the most elegant creations to the simplest of comfort foods, such as a grilled side of beef or cheesy pasta.
- Because the winegrowers of Lalande-de-Pomerol are expert craftsmen, capable of marrying tradition and innovation at will.
- Because their indelible spirit of hospitality and conviviality has been passed down from generation to generation.
- Because you cannot help but admire the harmony of the landscape, which is an invitation to dig deeper and explore.
- Because tasting the wines in situ doubles up as an opportunity to visit the Church of St. John the Baptist, the proud centerpiece of Lalande-de-Pomerol since the 12th century.
What is the
Lalande-de-Pomerol style?
Round here, one voice speaks louder than the rest: Merlot. This shape-shifting grape variety is what gives this appellation its unique identity.
Defining characteristics: a seemingly infinite wealth of aromas, with the ability to complement virtually any kind of food.
In the glass, Merlot flaunts its signature shades, running the range from garnet-red to ruby-red. It also offers plenty of pleasure on the palate, with a rich, dynamic structure and an instantly recognizable velvety smoothness.
In short, Lalande-de-Pomerol is the archetype of a great Bordeaux wine, with a little added twist that makes all the difference: that alluring rounded texture, born of the marriage between a unique terroir and an endlessly seductive grape variety.
This seductive side is evident in the younger wines, and it stays with them as they age gracefully.
See also Grape varietiesWhich kind of wines can be found in Lalande-de-Pomerol?
Red, red and more red!
The unique character of this appellation owes much to its meticulously-balanced blend of Bordeaux’s classic grape varieties. Merlot first and foremost, with its trademark finesse, rounded texture and aromatic splendor. Cabernet Franc for added structure and complexity, and Cabernet Sauvignon for its intensity and robust character. And the occasional splash of Malbec to give the blend some added depth.
fun facts
Three fun facts you need to know about Lalande-de-Pomerol
Not easy, because this appellation is packed with fascinating tidbits. We’ve done our best to pick three for you.
1.
Roses are everywhere in the Lalande-de-Pomerol vineyards, and not just because they brighten up the place: they serve as early warning systems for winegrowers, helping them to detect the first signs of certain vine diseases. And that’s not all: the roses also act as visual guides for workers in the vines, and different colors can be used to identify the owners of specific plots of vines.
2.
A new variety of rose was bred by local nursery Delbard in 2013, and named in honor of ‘Lalande de Pomerol’. With its deep garnet-red color and intense aromas, this special flower perfectly embodies the spirit of the appelation’s wines. It also gives you a whole new perspective on the 1,200 rose bushes which adorn the vineyards.
3.
What on earth is the Baillis vinous brotherhood? The Brotherhood owes its names to the order of warrior monks who once lived here. Their motto says it all: Cordi habeo, or “close to my heart”. Their mission is to bring the Lalande-de-Pomerol PDO to the masses with heart, passion and determination.
Let’s talk about the soil
The vines of Lalande-de-Pomerol are mostly rooted in alluvial terraces. The terroir has been sculpted through the ages by the nearby Isle and Barbanne rivers, carrying successive layers of stones, gravel and a variety of sediments.
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Want to know another secret about Lalande-de-Pomerol? It’s all in the famous ironpan subsoil – packed with iron oxide amongst a mixture of quartz, flint and granite, a heady cocktail which imbues the grapes with their inimitable character. One last secret weapon: the complex patchwork of soils (silt-clay to the north, clay-gravel to the south and east), accounting for the intricately nuanced wines made here.
Let’s travel back in time
The history of Lalande-de-Pomerol goes back a long way. A long, long way. In ancient times, the Romans quickly spotted the potential of this part of the world: a mild climate, charming landscapes, fertile soils…
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heaven on earth for grapevines, and for any Romans homesick for Umbria or Tuscany. In the Middle Ages, the warrior monks of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem continued that good work, nurturing the local winegrowing scene.
The 19th century, meanwhile, was a time of great challenges: the catastrophic phylloxera crisis nearly wiped out the vines. To help struggling winegrowers, the Lalande-de-Pomerol Winegrowers’ Association was founded in 1884. This was a pioneering initiative, and one of the first unions of its kind in the Gironde.
These days, the association is far more than an administrative organization. It is a tireless defender and enthusiastic champion of the appellation and its distinctive wines. The association also took charge of drafting the appellation’s all-important technical rules, formally adopted in 2009, ensuring that they give an accurate reflection of what makes the wines of Lalande-de-Pomerol so unique.
