The unique equation of terroirs
Varieties
Sauvignon, Sémillon and Muscadelle The twelve Appellations d’Origine Controlée dry white wines of Bordeaux comply with restrictions limiting each production area in particular. Only Bordeaux Blanc Sec AOC wines can be produced in the entire Bordeaux vineyard. All of these AOCs benefit from the influence of the ocean thanks to the climate, soil and their grape varieties. Bordeaux winemakers have learned how to enhance the features of their land.
White wine varieties represent 11% of the planted surface of the Bordeaux wine region (2018 data) White Bordeaux wines can either be made from a single variety or an assembly of several varieties of grapes. The choice of varieties and assembling is the fruit of Bordeaux region winemakers’ and merchants’ indepth analysis and expertise.
• PRESS KIT
BORDEAUX WINE COUNCIL (C.I.V.B.) 2019 •
(% OF THE VINE POPULATION DEDICATED TO PRODUCING DRY WHITE BORDEAUX WINES)
Climate
Temperate oceanic The white varieties planted in Bordeaux suit the temperate climate in the area. The beautiful but not excessively hot summers there do not alter their aromatic potential.
The vineyard’s wide diversity • Stone pebbles, gravel and sand act as great filters and heat accumulators to help the grapes mature. These pebbles absorb the heat during the day and release it at night. • Located on the left bank of the Garonne River and of the Gironde Estuary
THE MAIN VARIETY USED IN ASSEMBLING DRY WHITE BORDEAUX WINES. The most planted white variety in the past years in Bordeaux, • Quite early budding (one or two weeks before Sémillon) • Highly aromatic • Prefers a temperate climate with sun filled but not excessively hot summers which % could alter the aromatic potential • High level of acidity • Likes limestone or cool clay soil • Less expressive if water stress is too high or too early (hot climate or dry soil) • Can be vinified and matured in barrels producing superior, strong and complex dry white wines
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Soil
THE SOIL IN THE GRAVES
Sauvignon Blanc
LIMESTONE SOIL
• Located on the right bank • Relatively warm soil • Water capturing and retaining capacity, cooling factor
CLAY SOIL
• Located on the right bank • It is cool and humid
The French vineyard is the largest one for Sauvignon in the world. There are 5,800 hectares of Sauvignon in the Bordeaux region (data 2018) of which 5,100 are used to make dry white wines. + See page 15: FOCUS on Sauvignon: One of the most widely used white grape varieties in the world is said to have originated in Bordeaux.
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Muscadelle ANOTHER GRAPE VARIETY USED FOR DRY OR SWEET WHITE WINES • Delicate and floral notes of muscat, often accompanied by orange zest • Round-bodied with powerful aromas • Late-budding variety Muscadelle is a variety which isn’t very widely planted given that it is very demanding and gives very irregular results. Nevertheless, this variety deserves its place in assembling dry white wines in terroirs such as Entre-deuxMers and Côtes de Bordeaux. When used in assembling it brings roundness to more crisp wines made with Sauvignon. 13
