BORDEAUX

Made from vines planted in clay and limestone, sometimes over gravel, the red Premières Côtes de Bordeaux are rich and very fruity wines.

The Entre-Deux-Mers region extends from the Dordogne to the Garonne, opposite the Graves area, from the tip of the Ambès headland to the borders of the Dordogne and of the Lot-et-Garonne. It produces dry, fruity and lively white wines.Literally "between two seas", the region is so-named because it is located between two rivers, the Garonne and the Dordogne. Another unique feature is the region's size : Entre-Deux-Mers is vast. Vineyards are planted up and down its many slopes. The region produces both red and white wines. The soil of Entre-Deux-Mers is especially complex. Along the bank of the two rivers, the composition is mainly alluvial soil ; the inland areas are a mixture of clay, silica and limestone. Like the Médoc and Graves, Entre-Deux-Mers also has a marine climate as well as comparable annual rainfall and temperature.

A natural extension of the Medoc, to which it has always been attached, from both the historical and geographical point of view. Its gravely soil (from which its name is derived) is poor but helped by exceptionnal climatic conditions and the art of the Bordeaux winegrowers. The red wines are better-balnced and easily distinguishable from the other Médocs. The dry white Graves need a bit of ageing. The region of Graves, to the south of the Médoc, covers an area 50 mi (80 km) long by 15 mi-20 mi wide (24-32 km). It is bordered on the west by forests and on the east by plains. To the north, the vineyards extend in,to Bordeaux winegrowing region. Grave's greatest claim to fame is that it produces both vintage reds whites. Like the Médoc, the soil in Graves is a mixture of gravel, sand and clay-the kind of mixture that allows grapevines to thrive. Graves also has a marine climate, but unlike the Médoc, there is heavy mist at dawn.

A natural extension of the Medoc, to which it has always been attached, from both the historical and geographical point of view. Its gravely soil (from which its name is derived) is poor but helped by exceptionnal climatic conditions and the art of the Bordeaux winegrowers. The red wines are better-balnced and easily distinguishable from the other Médocs. The dry white Graves need a bit of ageing. The region of Graves, to the south of the Médoc, covers an area 50 mi (80 km) long by 15 mi-20 mi wide (24-32 km). It is bordered on the west by forests and on the east by plains. To the north, the vineyards extend in,to Bordeaux winegrowing region. Grave's greatest claim to fame is that it produces both vintage reds whites. Like the Médoc, the soil in Graves is a mixture of gravel, sand and clay-the kind of mixture that allows grapevines to thrive. Graves also has a marine climate, but unlike the Médoc, there is heavy mist at dawn.

(3.490 ha) and MEDOC (3.770). Two "simple" appellations whose names do not do them justice. A fine apportunity to discover great Bordeaux in these two A.O.C.S.

(620 ha). The most robust, full-bodied, and well-balanced of the Médoc wines.

(1.260 ha). Five villages (Arsac, Cantenac, Labarde, Margaux and Soussans) have a right to the Margaux appellation. They produce the most delicate wines of all.

The name Médoc means "the country in the middle". Shaped like a fat wedge of cheese, the region lies nothwest of Bardeaux and is flanked on the west by the Atlantic Ocean and onthe esat by the estuary of the Gironde River. Vineyards extend for 80 mi. (129 km), but the area is small in width-only about 5 mi. wide (8 km)-because to the west pine forests have been planted along the shore to protect the vineyards from ocean. The Médoc is divided into two regions, the Médoc and the Haut-Médoc, which share six appellations in two communes : Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Moulis, Saint-Julien, Margaux and Listrac. The vineyard extends, from north to south, over approximately 80 kilometres. It is sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean by a large pine forest and bordered by the huge Gironde estuary. It relatively warm and humid microclimate is ideally suited to the cultivation of the vine. Paradoxically, the Médoc's poor quality and porous quaternary soil is a blessing for the vineyards. Primarily composed of sand, gravel and pebbles, it makes the ideal mixture for great vineyards. This mixture allows the roots to grow as deep as ?? feet (six meters) underground and helps the growth of the grapevine at both the soil and subsoil levels. Beacuse the Boredaux winegrowing region is situated on the 45th parallel, the Médoc has a warm and humid marine climate. Weather conditions are the further improved by its geographic location. Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gironde River, these two bodies of water serve as heat regulators, creating the best microclimate vines could ever hope for. The amount of sunshine is not impressive, nor is the temperature which remains stable at about 53.6°F (12°C). Annual rainfall varies, averaging only 170 days of precipitation a year. But this is good because the small amount of rain has no trouble trickling down the many tiny hills where the Médoc vineyards are scattered.

(510 ha). Between Saint-Julien and Margaux, produces fragrant, soft and rich wines.

This 1.070 ha vineyard, located between Saint-Estèphe and Saint-Julien, produces three of the best grands crus classés of the Médoc (Lafite, Latour and the recen,t Mouton, born in 1973). Generally strong, elegant, well-bred and vigourous wines.

(1.260 ha). Richer, better-balanced and fuller than most of the great Médoc appellations, the Saint-Estèphe wines only come into their own with ageing.

(840 ha). Somewhere between Saint-Julien and MArgaux and the robustness of the Pauillac. Generally dense and full, they also have a fine bouquet.

Neighboring Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, a few kilometres from Libourne, Fronsac produces reds that are robust and forthcoming, very tannic, with a particular spicy flavor.

Le sol est argileux ou argilo-graveleux à l'est, graveleux au nord, puis de plus en plus sableux vers l'ouest. Provenant d'anciennes alluvions, le sous-sol présente d'importantes traces d'oxyde de fer que l'on nomme ici "crasse de fer", ainsi que des dépôts décalcifiés durcis et rougis de quartz, de silex et de granit. Des vins souples et fermes à la fois.

Haut lieu druidique que révèle le mégalithe gaulois du tertre de Picampeau, à proximité du bourg, la commune de Lussac vit la naissance de son vignoble à l'époque gallo-romaine.
Le vignoble se caractérise par la variété de ses paysages et la diversité de ses sols : argilo-graveleux dans les vallons, sablo-argileux sur les plateaux, argilo-calcaires à flancs de coteaux.
Le Merlot représente 65% de l'encépagement du vignoble, aux côtés du Cabernet franc (20%) et du Cabernet Sauvignon (15 %). Les vins ont une robe de couleur profonde et un bouquet subtil, une bouche charnue et souple à la fois..

Le terroir de Montagne Saint-Émilion fleure bon la civilisation gallo-romaine, où la vigne couvre depuis toujours le sommet des plateaux. Le vignoble s'inscrit dans le prolongement géographique de ceux de Pomerol et de Saint-Émilion. Les sols y sont généralement argilo-calcaires ou limono-argileux sur le plateau et les coteaux. Le Merlot dominant (70%) est complémenté de Cabernet franc, de Cabernet-Sauvignon et parfois de Malbec.
Les vins, bénéficiant d'un des plus beaux rapports qualité-prix-typicité qui soient, se caractérisent par une robe couleur rubis, du corps, de la race, une générosité qui n'exclut ni la souplesse, ni la distinction. Au fil des années, ils développent rapidement de subtils arômes de truffe et de sous-bois.

The commune of Pomerol, located on the right bank of the Dordogne River, borders two other giant winegrowing areas : Saint-Emilion and Libourne. Pomerol is located on a plateau which is composerd mainly of gravel, except to the west where the soil is a mixture of clay and sand. Deep ruby color, full-bodied, robust and velvety wines.

Établi sur un superbe tertre naturel dominant la Barbanne, face au célèbre plateau de Saint-Émilion, Puisseguin associe dans son nom le mot "puy" qui signifie "mont" à celui de Seguin. Le vignoble conjugue les atouts d'un microclimat sec, attesté par la présence de nombreux chênes verts, d'expositions sud dominantes et de sols argilo-calcaires où la vigne peut s'enraciner profondément.
Les vins se caractérisent par leur force et leur solidité. De couleur soutenue, d'une grande souplesse, tanniques, ils vieillissent dans une harmonie parfaite qui développe leur bouquet avec bonheur. Ils se caractérisent alors par la finesse de leurs arômes, leur souplesse et leur longueur en bouche.

Appellation covering 1.000 crus extending from the Premier Grand Cru Classé to the simple Saint-Emilion AOC, including the Grand Cru Classé and the Grand Cru. The beautiful commune of Saint-Emilion , in the heart of thr Libournais, literally surrounded by vineyards, is regarded as one of the oldest French winegrowing areas. There are good and lesser quality Saint-Emilions, depending on the growing area (plain or hillside), the soil and exposure and, of course, the proprietor.

Less sweet and delicate than those from Barsac-Sauternes. Matured with utmost care, often very fruity.

Less sweet and delicate than those from Barsac-Sauternes. Matured with utmost care, often very fruity.

Appellation covering five communes (Barsac, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac and Sauternes) whose originality stems from the harvesting method used. Grapes must reach full maturity under the action of Boytrytis Cinerea, also called "noble rot". The degradation process causes the grape to loose its water and increase its alcohol content, giving the wine a heavy concentration of liqueur. - BARSAC : If produced from vines grown in the Sauternes region, the Barsac wines can take the Sauternes appellation and/or keep their own. The commune of Barsac and the small region of Sauternes are both part of the region of Graves. They are bordered on the northeast by the Garonne River and the south by a pine forest. The production is white wine exclusively, especially dessert wines, including the famed Sauternes. The soil of Barsac and Sauternes is a mixture of gravel and sand. Terrace cultivation along the Garonne continues to be used today. Like all of the Bordeaux region, Barsac and Sauternes have a marine climate. The temperature averages 55.4°F (13°C) ; the sun rarely shines intensely. Rainfall in winter is heavy yet unpredictable. Heavy local precipitation sometimes produces extremely destructive hailstorms.

The dry white wines are fruity and the reds very fine (A.O.C. Premières Côtes de Blaye).

Baptized the "suisse Girondine" because of its hilly, undulating soil, the Bourg Region, situated on the banks of the Gironde, offers beautifully structured fragrant and round red wines. The whites are fresh, fine and to drink.

At the outermost limits of the Gironde, with Saint-Emilion on the West and Bergerac on the East . Mainly red wines.

Made from vines planted in clay and limestone, sometimes over gravel, the red Premières Côtes de Bordeaux are rich and very fruity wines.