Pessac-Léognan

The area Pessac -Leognan is a wine region in the wine growing region of Graves, a part of Bordeaux.

Since 9 September 1987, has the status of an independent Appellation d' Origine ( AOC short ). At approximately 1288 hectares on average 68,500 hectoliters of wine are harvested. 1,000 hectares are paid to the red grape varieties; the remaining 288 the white varieties.

Soil and climate

The name Graves derives from the rocky soil ( engrave: Pebble ) ago, which is called in the local language Las Grabas de Bourdeus. The nutrient-poor soil is strewn with stones. These stones store the solar energy of the day and release the heat at night from. This creates a very favorable micro- climate that benefits the vines. The area Pessac -Léognan extends from the city of Bordeaux in the north to the south on a Martillac community about ten miles in length and max. six kilometers wide strip. The area west and south of pine forests protected. To the east is the River Garonne to store heat.

The climate is mild and humid. The annual average temperature is 12.9 ° C, and the average sunshine duration is 1991 hours / year. Precipitation is distributed throughout the year. The amount of 833 l / m² per year falls on 170 days a year.

History

2000 years ago here, the Romans built the first vineyards of Bordeaux, and the Roman author Columella raves about the excellent wines. In 1154, the native of Aquitaine Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen of England. During their rule, the trade relations between Bordeaux and England were greatly expanded. Around the year 1300 the Archbishop of Bordeaux, Bertrand de Got, and later Pope Clement V founded a winery, which still exists under the name Château Pape -Clément today. The wines of Graves justified at that time the fame of Bordeaux. From 1531 to 1551 Jean de Pontac places in the district of Haut-Brion at a vineyard, the winery 's first major quality Bordeaux was under the name of Château Haut -Brion. In the 18th century wore Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu ( 1689-1755 ), much to the growing awareness both at the courts of Paris and England at. He was born at Château La Brède and had all his life an open ear for the needs of wineries from Graves.

In the immediate vicinity of the city of Bordeaux alone on 1908 238 wineries have been discontinued by 1981. Four of the most famous wineries of the region are now within the densely built-up agglomeration of Bordeaux. Château Haut -Brion, Château Les Carmes - Haut-Brion and Château Pape -Clément located in the suburb of Pessac and Talence is located in Château La Mission Haut -Brion.

In 1953, 16 wineries were classified authorized to bear the title of Cru Classé de Graves. All classified châteaux are located in the subregion of Pessac -Léognan.

Classification of Graves region

As Château Haut -Brion was promoted to the Bordeaux Wine Classification of 1855 in the highest rank of Premier Grand Cru, it was the only good from the region Graves, the honor of the classification was given. The long cherished desire of a similar list for the Graves was met by an amendment of 1949. Therefore, a first classification was released on August 7, 1953, which was finally defined by a revision of 16 February 1959. It is striking that all classified growths of the Graves region of the appellation Pessac- Léognan come.

Classified for red and white wine:

  • Château Bouscaut from the community Cadaujac
  • Château Carbonnieux from Léognan
  • Domaine de Chevalier from Léognan
  • Château Latour- Martillac from Martillac
  • Château Malartic - Lagravière from Léognan
  • Château Olivier from Léognan

Classified only for red wine:

  • Château Haut -Bailly from Léognan
  • Château Haut -Brion Pessac from
  • Château de Fieuzal from Léognan
  • Château La Mission Haut -Brion from Talence
  • Château Pape -Clément from Pessac
  • Château Smith Haut Lafitte from Martillac
  • Château La Tour Haut -Brion from Talence

Classified just for white wine:

  • Château Couhins from Villenave- d'Ornon
  • Château Couhins - Lurton from Villenave- d'Ornon
  • Château Laville Haut-Brion from Pessac -

Authorised varietals

For the reds, the Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon (mean percentage 49%), Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot are (mean percentage 46% ) admitted. The appellation regulation provides for a harvest limit of 45 hectoliters / hectare.

For white wines, Semillon (mean percentage 69%) come, Sauvignon Blanc (mean percentage 29%) and Muscadelle used. Here the appellation regulation provides for a harvest limit of 48 hectoliters / hectare.

Approved communities

Cadaujac, Canéjan, Gradignan, Léognan, Martillac, Merignac, Pessac, Saint- Médard- d'Eyrans, Talence and Villenave- d'Ornon.

643045
de