Pessac-Léognan Wine Region Guide

Pessac-Léognan is a wine producing region and Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée in the Graves region of Bordeaux. Unlike most Bordeaux appellations, Pessac-Léognan is recognized for both red and dry white wines, however, red wine dominates the region. It encompasses the premier cru Château Haut-Brion, the only red-wine producer outside of the Haut-Médoc classified in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, along with all of the châteaux mentioned in the Graves classification of 1953/59. These classified growths generate one-third of the wine in Pessac-Léognan.

Check out the best wine tastings and tours in Pessac-Leognan!

Where is the Pessac-Leognan wine region?

Pessac-Léognan is a wine appellation in Bordeaux in the Northern part of the Graves wine region which is famous for its red wine as well as dry white wines. The wine appellation lies just South of Bordeaux city. Pessac-Leognan covers 8 communes of Mérignac, Talence, Pessac, Gradignan, Villenave-d'Ornon, Cadaujac, Léognan and Martillac. Most of the area of this wine appellation is covered with forest with only 1580 hectares of vines. 

History of the Pessac-Leognan wine region

Pessac-Léognan has a rich history of winemaking. During the 300 years under English domination, from 1152 to 1453, red wines from this region including the rest of Graves were known as claret. The area boasts the oldest named property in Bordeaux, Château Pape Clément, which was built in 1306 by Pope Clement V. Château Haut-Brion was the first château of international notoriety in the mid-seventeenth century, hailed by Samuel Pepys in 1663, while the Médoc was still marsh. 

Pessac-Léognan, on the other hand, is a very new designation, dating from 1987. Previously, the region was part of the Graves AOC and was known colloquially as Haut-Graves.

The terroir and geography of the Pessac-Leognan wine region

The Pessac-Leognan wine region is a rural area that is located near the city of Bordeaux in France. The region has a long history and many vineyards due to the southern continental climate. The soils are deep and have a large amount of gravel. They maintain enough moisture to nourish the grape vines and produce higher-quality wine than other vineyards with a heavy coating of topsoil.

Popular grape varieties from the Pessac-Leognan wine region

For red wines, the dominant grape, as it does in the Médoc, is Cabernet Sauvignon, but a slightly greater portion of Merlot is typically used in the blend. Cabernet Franc is also included, together with some Petit Verdot and Malbec.  Styles vary considerably from those in other Bordeaux AOCs, but characteristic notes include blackcurrant and wood, and the wines are usually characterized as 'earthy.' The grapes used in white wines are usually a mix of Sauvignon blanc and Sémillon. Typically, the wine is fermented in barrels at room temperature. When the wines are younger, they have a fruity flavour that evolves over 7-15 years into flavours of nuts, honey, and custard. They are considered to be among the top whites in France.

Food to pair with Pessac-Leognan wine 

Chicken Tajine

The key element in this classic Moroccan dish, as the name suggests, is chicken, ideally bone-in chicken cuts such as legs, thighs, or drumsticks. This chicken delicacy, like most other tajine dishes, is made in the distinctive conical cooking pot. 

The Chicken pieces are layered neatly with vegetables like onions, carrots, tomatoes, or potatoes, and the meal is typically flavored with cumin, saffron, parsley, or coriander. Preserved lemons, olives, almonds, or apricots are popular garnishes. Chicken tajine is typically served with a side of bread.

Foie gras poêlé

Pan-seared foie gras is indeed a simple yet exquisite French dish. The dish is presented on special and celebratory occasions. Traditionally, thick slices of foie gras are slightly seared, ideally on duck fat, and afterward seasoned with salt and pepper.

The foie gras fluids are often blended with fresh or dried fruit, whiskey, and wines like Riesling, Port, Sherry, or Sauternes. Foie gras poêlé is best paired with dry wines from Pessac-Leognan.

Châteaubriand

Despite common perception, the title Châteaubriand refers to the technique for grilling or roasting a thick piece of beef tenderloin. In 1822, a cook named Montmireil prepared the steak for a French novelist, diplomat, and statesman named Francois René Vicomte de Chateaubriand.

In France, Châteaubriand is often served with a sauce, most typically a classic red wine sauce or a Béarnaise sauce. The steaks are typically served with roasted new potatoes or petite chateau potatoes on the side.

Places to visit in the Pessac-Leognan wine region

La Ferme Exotique

La Ferme Exotique is one of the exotic farms that is just 15km south of Bordeaux which is more like a zoo. The farm is one of the finest wildlife parks with over 1000 animals of 75 species. There are a lot of activities visitors can enjoy for free including train rides, horse riding, carriage rides, merry-go-round, and a bouncy castle. The park also has a museum devoted to horse carriages that are used in the film in a different era. The main objective of the park is to entertain as well as educate visitors. 

Zoo de Bordeaux Pessac

The Bordeaux Pessac Zoo swiftly became one of Gironde's most popular tourist attractions since it was founded in mid-1976. The zoo underwent significant changes in 2015 to make the visit an unforgettable experience. The visitors are allowed to collect tiny jars of nectars to feed rainbow plumage. The zoo has an exceptional maze of lemurs and visitors can interact with mischievous monkeys that are native to the island of Madagascar. 

Frequently asked questions about Pessac-Leognan