Graves (wine region)

The Graves is considered the birthplace of claret. Its wine production for export dates back to Eleanor of Aquitaine, who married Henry II, King of England, creating a flourishing trade between both countries: wine versus coal and iron. In the Middle Ages, the wines that were first exported to England were produced in this area. At that time, the Médoc subregion, north of Bordeaux, still consisted of marshland unsuitable for viticulture though Graves were naturally better drained. Château Pape Clément, which was founded at the turn of the 14th century by the future Pope Clement V, was the first named chateau in all of Bordeaux. In 1663, Samuel Pepys's mention of Château Haut-Brion was the first recorded mention of French claret in London. In 1987, the part of Graves containing most of the producers of its most expensive wines, closest to the city of Bordeaux itself, created a separate AOC under the name Pessac-Léognan. This has had the effect of devaluing the name and price of wines simply labeled with the Graves appellation. == Wine styles ==

As with Médoc, Cabernet Sauvignon is the predominant grape, but a somewhat greater proportion of Merlot is typically used in the blend, with smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. The dry white wines are a blend of Sauvignon blanc and Sémillon. A well-known sweet white dessert wine is made in the commune of Sauternes, which is located in the southeast corner of the Graves region. == Appellations in Graves ==

The Graves subregion contains the following ''Appellations d'origine contrôlées'' (AOCs). Graves AOC Graves AOC is the basic appellation of the Graves subregion, and can be used for both red and dry white wine. of vineyards were dedicated to this appellation in 2004. The soil of Pessac-Léognan is composed of gravel terraces with sediments from different geological eras. Production costs for this area's botrytized wines are comparatively high. The evaporation and fungus affections produces low yields, which are one fifth to one sixth of that in other Bordeaux regions. The berries are normally harvested individually from the bunch, with pickers going through the vineyards several times between September and November to ensure the berries are picked at their optimal points. The wine is then fermented in small oak barrels, further adding to the cost. Even with half bottles of the First Growths priced at several hundred dollars, these wines still have difficulties turning a profit, and in the mid 20th century, a string of bad vintages drove many growers in the region out of business. Cérons AOC Cérons AOC is an appellation for sweet white wines of similar style as Sauternes but with no producers as noted as the classified Sauternes properties and therefore with lower prices. On the other hand, the wines are considered superior to those of Graves Supérieures AOC of which Cérons effectively is an enclave. == References ==