2018 Château La Garde Pessac-Léognan Blanc

Medoc region

Within Bordeaux, the red wines from Médoc are best regarded, and this is where the most expensive wines in the world come from. But, fortunately, there are also red wines that are of good quality and affordable. Big names are Mouton-Rotschild and Margaux, classic red wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon. They may supplement the Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. The Médoc is a French wine region in the Gironde department, above the city of Bordeaux. The region extends over an area of ​​80 by 15 kilometers along the left bank of the Gironde. It is divided into the Haut-Médoc in the south and the (Bas-)Médoc in the north. The vines, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, supplemented with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot, are on terraces of pebble, gravel, limestone, clay, marl and sand, which ensures good drainage.

History

Before the 17th century, the Medoc region consisted only of fields for rye production. Dutch engineers drained the lands of medoc for agricultural use. After a certain time, the Medoc region became suitable for wine production and vineyards were planted in 1760.

In the 19th century, the left half of Bordeaux was completely full of vineyards that fell under the Medoc appellation. Many vineyards and chateaux were opened during this period. Nowadays, wine tastings in the region are super popular.

Sub appelations en classes

In fact, the Medoc region consists of the Haut Medoc and contains 6 sub-appellations

AC Saint-Estèphe
AC Pauillac
AC Saint-Julien
AC Listrac-Médoc
AC Moulis-en-Médoc
AC Margaux

In addition to this division by origin, since the Paris World Exhibition of 1855, there has also been one by quality for the top products. A distinction is made into 5 classes. The layout has hardly changed since then.

Premiers crus
Château Haut-Brion, Pessac, Graves (Pessac-Leognan sinds 1987)
Château Lafite-Rothschild, Pauillac
Château Latour, Pauillac
Château Margaux, Margaux
Château Mouton-Rothschild, Pauillac (since 1973)

Deuxièmes crus
Château Brane-Cantenac, Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château Cos d'Estournel, Saint-Estephe
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Saint-Julien
Château Durfort-Vivens, Margaux
Château Gruaud-Larose, Saint-Julien
Château Lascombes, Margaux
Château Léoville Barton, Saint-Julien
Château Léoville Las Cases, Saint-Julien
Château Léoville Poyferré, Saint-Julien
Château Montrose, Saint-Estephe
Château Pichon-Longueville-Baron, Pauillac (ook Château Pichon-Longueville genoemd)
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac (ook Château Pichon-Lalande genoemd)
Château Rauzan-Ségla, Margaux (ook gespeld als Château Rausan-Segla)
Château Rauzan-Gassies, Margaux

Troisièmes crus
Château Boyd-Cantenac, Margaux
Château Calon-Ségur, Saint-Estephe
Château Cantenac-Brown, Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château Desmirail, Margaux
Château Ferrière, Margaux
Château Giscours, Labarde-Margaux (Margaux)
Château d'Issan, Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château Kirwan, Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château Lagrange, Saint-Julien
Château La Lagune, Ludon (Haut-Medoc)
Château Langoa Barton, Saint-Julien
Château Malescot St. Exupery, Margaux
Château Marquis d'Alesme Becker, Margaux
Château Palmer, Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)

Quatrièmes crus
Château Beychevelle, Saint-Julien
Château Branaire-Ducru, Saint-Julien
Château Duhart-Milon-Rothschild, Pauillac
Château Lafon-Rochet, Saint-Estephe
Château Marquis de Terme, Margaux
Château Pouget, Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château Prieuré-Lichine, Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château Saint-Pierre, Saint-Julien
Château Talbot, Saint-Julien
Château La Tour Carnet, Saint-Laurent (Haut-Medoc)

Cinquièmes crus
Château Batailley, Pauillac
Château Belgrave Saint-Laurent (Haut-Medoc)
Château Camensac, Saint-Laurent (Haut-Medoc)
Château Cantemerle Macau (Haut-Medoc)
Château Clerc-Milon, Pauillac
Château Cos Labory, Saint-Estephe
Château Croizet Bages, Pauillac
Château Dauzac Labarde (Margaux)
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac
Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse, Pauillac
Château Haut-Bages Libéral, Pauillac
Château Haut-Batailley, Pauillac
Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac
Château Lynch-Moussas, Pauillac
Château d'Armailhac, Pauillac
Château Pédesclaux, Pauillac
Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac
Château du Tertre, Arsac (Margaux)

List of the classified white wines of Sauternes and Barsac

Château d’Yquem

Château Guiraud
Premier cru supérieur
Château d'Yquem, Sauternes

Premiers crus
Château La Tour Blanche, Bommes (Sauternes)
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Bommes (Sauternes)
Clos Haut-Peyraguey, Bommes (Sauternes)
Château de Rayne-Vigneau, Bommes (Sauternes)
Château Suduiraut, Preignac (Sauternes)
Château Coutet, Barsac
Château Climens, Barsac
Château Guiraud, Sauternes
Château Rieussec, Fargues (Sauternes)
Château Rabaud-Promis, Bommes (Sauternes)
Château Sigalas-Rabaud, Bommes (Sauternes)

Deuxièmes crus
Château de Myrat, Barsac
Château Doisy Daëne, Barsac
Château Doisy-Dubroca, Barsac
Château Doisy-Védrines, Barsac
Château d'Arche, Sauternes
Château Filhot, Sauternes
Château Broustet Barsac
Château Nairac, Barsac
Château Caillou, Barsac
Château Suau, Barsac
Château de Malle, Preignac (Sauternes)
Château Romer, Fargues (Fargues)
Château Romer du Hayot, (Farques, Barsac)
Château Lamothe, Sauternes
Château Lamothe-Guignard, Sauternes

Bordeaux is one of the most iconic wine regions on earth. It is known for its rare red wines that have enormous storage potential. White wines and sweet white wines also come from here, which are loved worldwide.

History of Bordeaux

The Romans were among the first to cultivate vineyards in the Bordeaux region, beginning around the 1st century AD. They recognized the potential of the region's fertile soil and favorable climate for wine production. The city of Burdigala (modern Bordeaux) became an important center for the wine trade. The wine trade in Bordeaux continued to flourish during the Middle Ages. Wine production was mainly centered around monastic vineyards, with the Catholic Church playing an important role in winemaking. Pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela in Spain helped spread Bordeaux's reputation. The marriage of Henry Plantagenet (Henry II of England) to Eleanor of Aquitaine in the 12th century led to a strong bond between Bordeaux and England. This connection brought wines from Bordeaux to the English court, where they became extremely popular. The Hundred Years' War between England and France further strengthened the region's ties with England. The 1259 Treaty of Paris marked the end of the English occupation of Bordeaux. Despite Bordeaux's return to French rule, strong ties with England persisted, and the demand for wines across the English Channel continued.

Bordeaux wines continued to gain international recognition and were highly regarded among European nobility. The Dutch in particular were important importers of Bordeaux wines. During this period, the wines were transported in oak barrels, which helped improve their quality and aging potential. The official Bordeaux wine classification of 1855 is a milestone in the history of Bordeaux. It was created for the Exposition Universelle de Paris to classify the best castles of Bordeaux into different levels of quality. This classification is still in use today and is known for designating the prestigious First Growth (Premier Cru) estates. In the late 19th century, there were significant challenges to wine production in Bordeaux, including the phylloxera epidemic, which devastated vineyards across Europe. Bordeaux, like other regions, had to replant vineyards with American rootstocks to combat the blight. Bordeaux continued to adapt and evolve throughout the 20th century. Winemaking techniques improved and the region embraced modern viticulture. Bordeaux maintained its reputation for quality and consistency, and the region's finest estates became highly sought after by collectors and investors.

Wine production of Bordeaux

Bordeaux is best known for its red wines, usually blends of different grape varieties. The main red grape varieties used in Bordeaux are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. The specific grape varieties used in a wine depend on the sub-region, chateau and style of the winemaker. Bordeaux also produces white wines, mainly made from Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle. These white wines can range from dry to sweet, with the famous sweet wines of Sauternes being a notable example. Bordeaux winemakers use a combination of traditional and modern winemaking techniques. These include maceration, fermentation, oak barrel aging and blending. Winemakers often blend different grape varieties to create a balanced and harmonious wine.

Sub-regions

Bordeaux is divided into several sub-regions, each with its own unique characteristics. Some of the most notable sub-regions include:

Pauillac: Known for powerful wines based on Cabernet Sauvignon, with Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Mouton Rothschild among the top estates.

Margaux: famous for its elegant and aromatic wines, home to Château Margaux.

Saint-Julien: Produces well-balanced wines with a reputation for consistency, including Château Léoville-Las Cases and Château Ducru-Beaucaillou.

Saint-Estèphe: Known for structured and tannic wines, with Château Cos d'Estournel and Château Montrose among notable features.

Graves: Located on the Left Bank south of the city of Bordeaux, Graves is known for both red and white wines. The gravelly soils lend their name to the region.

Pessac-Léognan: Home to some of Bordeaux's best red wines, such as Château Haut-Brion. It also produces excellent white wines.

Saint-Émilion: Located on the right bank of the Dordogne River, Saint-Émilion is known for its Merlot-dominant red wines. The region is characterized by limestone-rich soils and is known for producing approachable, luscious wines. Prominent estates include Château Ausone and Château Cheval Blanc.

Pomerol: Also located on the Right Bank, it is known for its Merlot-based wines, which are often considered among Bordeaux's most opulent and rich wines. Notable estates include Château Pétrus and Château Le Pin.

Sauternes and Barsac: In the southern part of Bordeaux, these regions are known for their sweet white wines. Botrytized Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes are used to produce delicious dessert wines, with Château d'Yquem being the best known producer.

Entre-Deux-Mers: The Entre-Deux-Mers region is located between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers and produces mainly white wines from the Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle grapes. The red wines here are generally less known, but still of good quality.

Bordeaux AOC: The broader Bordeaux AOC covers the entire region, including both the Left and Right Banks. It produces a wide range of wines, from everyday table wines to quality blends. Bordeaux Supérieur is a higher quality subgroup within this appellation.

Côtes de Bordeaux: This appellation includes several sub-regions on the Right Bank, including Côtes de Blaye, Côtes de Bourg, Côtes de Castillon and Côtes de Francs. These areas produce a range of red wines, often offering good value for money.

Blaye en Bourg: Located on the Right Bank, Blaye en Bourg produces a blend of red and white wines, with an emphasis on Merlot-based red wines.

Haut-Médoc: Part of the greater Médoc region, Haut-Médoc includes numerous renowned appellations and is known for producing high-quality, age-worthy red wines.

Grape varieties in Bordeaux

Bordeaux is home to several grape varieties, but the main ones used in its wines are:

Merlot: Commonly found in Right Bank wines, it adds softness and fruitiness.

Cabernet Sauvignon: Predominant in Left Bank wines, it contributes structure and ripeness.

Cabernet Franc: Often used for blending, it adds aromatic complexity and finesse.

Petit Verdot and Malbec: Used in smaller quantities for blending, adding depth and character.

Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon: Used for white Bordeaux wines, with Sauvignon Blanc providing acidity and Semillon providing body and richness.

Terroir of Bordeaux

The terroir of Bordeaux is diverse and plays a crucial role in the character of the wines. The region's terroir is influenced by the Gironde River, which splits Bordeaux into two banks, the Left Bank (west) and the Right Bank (east). The Left Bank is known for its gravelly soils, which are well suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, while the Right Bank has clay and limestone soils, more favorable to Merlot.

The climate in Bordeaux is maritime, with the moderating influence of the Atlantic Ocean. This climate, combined with the diverse soils, allows Bordeaux to produce a wide range of wines, from the tannic and structured wines of the Médoc to the lush and accessible wines of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.

Bordeaux's rich history, diverse terroir and tradition of winemaking excellence have cemented Bordeaux's status as one of the world's most renowned wine regions, with a global reputation for producing some of the finest wines available.