TERROIR PROFILE
Graves
Gravel terraces south of Bordeaux — the cradle of Bordeaux wine
The Graves are Bordeaux's oldest wine district — smoky reds and waxy whites from gravel, priced far below neighbouring Pessac-Léognan.
TERROIR PROFILE · Bordeaux
Graves Gravel terraces south of Bordeaux — the cradle of Bordeaux wine
The Graves are Bordeaux's oldest wine district — smoky reds and waxy whites from gravel, priced far below neighbouring Pessac-Léognan.
SOILS
Gravel / Sandlight, approachable
Gravel and sand drain heavily — vines struggle for water, wines turn fine, light and elegant.
Sandstonewarm, dry, spicy
Sandstone warms quickly and yields ripe, fragrant wines with yellow fruit and fine spice.
Loambody-rich, velvety
Loamy soils give wines volume and a soft, velvety mouthfeel.
CLIMATE · Maritime
Maritime and mild, sheltered by the Landes pine forest to the west; the Garonne tempers. A little warmer and earlier ripening than the Médoc.
TOPOGRAPHY · gentle
Flat gravel and sand terraces along the Garonne from La Brède to Langon — named after the 'graves', the gravel soils.
WHAT IT MEANS IN THE GLASS
Similar terroirs worldwide
Computed from fingerprint similarity
Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux
Bordeaux
94% similar
- Warmth (slightly): Graves is warmer → riper fruit, more alcohol, softer acidity (7 vs. 6).
- Freshness (slightly): Graves has less freshness → gentler acidity, earlier drinking (5 vs. 6).
Bordeaux (Stadt & Négoce)
Bordeaux
94% similar
- Sun (slightly): Graves gets more sun → deeper colour, riper tannin (7 vs. 6).
- Dryness (slightly): Graves is drier → more concentrated, denser, smaller berries (6 vs. 5).
Wineries on this terroir
See all 14 →This terroir's soils in the glossary