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.
Climate, site & wine
Gravel, sand and clay form the soils, mostly over limestone, sand or gravelly clay; gravel banks store heat and drain well. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon provide the reds, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon the whites.
The reds are smoky and earthy, with dark fruit, tobacco and moderate tannin, accessible earlier than in the Médoc. The whites show citrus, wax and herbs, with medium weight and fresh acidity.
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.
Sandaromatic, approachable
Loose sand and wind-blown sand warm up quickly and hold little water — they give aromatic, early-drinking wines with soft tannins; phylloxera-resistant.
Loambody-rich, velvety
Loamy soils give wines volume and a soft, velvety mouthfeel.
CLIMATE · Maritime
Oceanic climate, sheltered by the Landes pine forests in the west and tempered by the Garonne. Somewhat warmer and earlier ripening than the Médoc. Late frost is an occasional risk, and rain at harvest can affect the crop.
TOPOGRAPHY · gentle
Flat to gently undulating gravel and sand terraces on the left bank of the Garonne from La Brède to Langon, named after the 'graves' (gravel soils). Since 1987 the northern part has been separated as Pessac-Léognan.
WHAT IT MEANS IN THE GLASS
Similar terroirs worldwide
Computed from fingerprint similarity
Markgräflerland
Baden
100% similar
- Graves and Markgräflerland share a strikingly similar fingerprint — the differences lie in soil and grape varieties.
Monferrato
Piedmont
100% similar
- Graves and Monferrato share a strikingly similar fingerprint — the differences lie in soil and grape varieties.
Wineries on this terroir
See all 14 →This terroir's soils in the glossary