Discovering the Medoc Wine Growing Region

Bordered by forests and the grand estuary of the Gironde in Southwest France is one of the world's most revered wine growing regions - The Medoc. Literally a stone's throw away from the magnificent city of Bordeaux the Medoc wine growing region stretches up along the Medoc Peninsula for approximately 45 miles. Immaculately groomed vineyards await, steeped in a history of grape cultivation that has led to the production of many vintage red Medoc-Bordeaux wines during the last few centuries.

Our journey begins to the north of Bordeaux in the town of Blanquefort - gateway to the Medoc wine growing region. From here the D2 autoroute travels northwards cutting a path between the forest and marshes that lead down to the Gironde Estuary. The ground undulates through gentle crests and troughs, but overall is rather flat, allowing views of vine-covered land for as far as the eye can see. The landscape too is very photogenic, the lush green vines contrasting against lines of sandy coloured soils and light gravels, set against a deep azure sky.

By far the largest wine growing area in the Medoc is the regional appellation known as Haute-Medoc. It covers the area from Blanquefort to an area midway between Vertheuil and St Germain d'Esteuil in an almost unbroken run and is the region which produces the most diverse range of wines. Grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmen