Médoc 8 Items Follow

A Powerful Region

The Médoc and its 8 appellations represent 15% of Bordeaux vineyards, covering more than 39,500 acres. The Médoc appellations are among the most esteemed and coveted wines of amateurs and connoisseurs alike.

The Médoc enjoys a moderate climate. A peninsula on the 45th parallel, it benefits from the natural protection of the Atlantic Ocean to the West and the Gironde estuary to the East. This microclimate, combined with the soils created by glaciers formed over thousands of years, gives the region its unique geology: beautiful rock formations bathed in sunlight and consistent temperatures. Centuries of blending expertise focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot produce powerful wines with some of the greatest aging potential in the world as well as graceful wines for immediate enjoyment.

A Range of Styles & Prices

The Médoc has approximately 600 châteaux and almost 1,000 brands, from very small properties of just a few acres to large vineyards and estates. With such a wide range of producers, wines from the Médoc represent an affordable and attainable luxury. While home to the Classified Grand Crus which command high prices, you’ll find most bottles fall into the $15 - $30 range. This wide range offers prestigious brands and top-quality wines at truly affordable prices.

The Médoc has everything from small growers, cultivating their vines like jewels; larger estates yielding top-quality improvements through continued investment; family properties handed down through generations; wine lovers who’ve made a lifestyle choice to cultivate vineyards; Bordeaux families whose names have established the reputation of the region worldwide through merchant houses; and international investors attracted by the reputation of this famous terroir.

Today, there is a new generation in the Médoc— descendants of established Bordeaux families and other young and passionate winemakers making their mark. It is a noted phenomenon at all levels: for the most exceptional wines (Grands Crus Classés of 1855), the family-owned estates (Crus Bourgeois) and the small independent producers (for example the Crus Artisans classification). This new class of winemakers includes many women and infuses a breath of fresh air into the Bordeaux way of wine production (new aging regimens, amphoras, a focus on “drinkability”).

A Historic Pedigree

Thriving in the space between innovation and tradition, the Médoc has always been at the forefront of technical innovation around the world, while still respecting tradition, terroir, and of course, the wines. In recent years, cultural trends have changed considerably leading to the decrease in the use of synthetic products (pesticides, herbicides), even to their being banned from many properties. The objectives set by Bordeaux wines are ambitious and the shift has largely begun in the Médoc. There is a strong movement toward the maintenance of biodiversity and sustainable farming practices.

Small parcels of vines have been present in the Médoc since the 14th century. Since the 16th century, members of the Bordeaux Parliament and traders from the city created the first estates. The Médoc has several official families of Crus, the most famous being the Classification of 1855. Sixty Médoc Classified Grand Crus make up this global winemaking elite whose reputation, excellence, and consistency are still recognized today. The Crus Bourgeois represent the heart of Médoc wine production, their reputation reaching beyond French borders, today enjoying a reputation for quality in the eyes of wine enthusiasts around the world. The Crus Artisans represent small family vineyards producing wines reflecting the true character of those who create them. Finally, we can’t forget the many other excellent châteaux, branded wines, and wines from the cooperative cellars made in the pure Médoc tradition, representing the essence of the region.