Médoc Wine Region

Nestled in the outskirts of Bordeaux

Medoc is a big winemaking area in Bordeaux wine region of southwest of France. It is the area that runs from the northwest outskirts of Bordeaux city to St-Seurin-de-Cadourne.The territory under Medoc AOC extends over an area of 80 by 15 km along the left bank of the Gironde, from the northwest outskirts of Bordeaux city to St-Seurin-de-Cadourne.

Region Producing Only Red Wines

There is a maritime climate due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The warm gulf stream and the Gironde act as a heat regulator and temper the climate. This ensures mild winters, warm summers, and a long sunny fall. The region is protected from the sea wind by the coastal strip with pine forests that run almost parallel to the region. The harvest time and the rainy season start around the same time. Its terroir benefits from a temperate oceanic climate and from severe limestone soils. With some exceptions, Médoc is produced only red wine.

Following, you’ll find the most beautiful vineyards and their famous red wines in the world based on your desired taste with detailed information of each appellation in the Médoc sub-region.

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Production Zones of Médoc AOC

The Médoc appellation is divided into eight sub-appellations and wines with the AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) label and the European AOP label (Protected Designation of Origin). Six communal ones which go from north to south along the Gironde estuary, towards Bordeaux: Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Listrac, Margaux and Moulis. And two so-called generic names: Médoc and Haut-Médoc.

Vines Dating Back to 1760

The land of the Médoc was early used for crap and rye production. Dutch engineers drained the northern marshy lowlands in the early part of the 17th century to make the land more suitable for agriculture. In the second half of that century, the seigniories became the great estates of the gentry. As the practice of viticulture developed, the connection between the region’s gravelly soil and the wine it produced became clear. The Médoc was perfectly suited to wine production, and virtually all the vineyards of Médoc were planted by 1760.

The Médoc produces many of the best-known Bordeaux red wines, notably Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Some Merlot and Petit Verdot grapes are also grown.

A part of the important features of Médoc appellation are as follows:

• Soil: Alluvial terraces of gravel deposits, light, good for Cabernet, and deep and clay-like, good for Merlot.
• Wine color of Médoc is red.
• Aromas: Licorice, red and black berries and small fruits, animal and roasted coffee aroma appears with aging.
• Taste: Structured, round, robust.
• Aging potential: 5 – 20 years.
• Serving temperature: 15 to 17° C

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