Definition: Graves AOC

Appellation of the Graves region. Production area that begins practically at the gates of Bordeaux with Eysines, the most north-western town, and ends at Langon, the most south-eastern. The main boundary is located on the left bank of the Garonne River and more precisely within 43 communes of the Gironde department. Classified as an AOC in 1937. Area under production: just over 3,100 hectares. White grape varieties: Muscadelle, Sauvignon, Sémillon; reds: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Côt (or Malbec), Merlot and Petit Verdot. Produced as dry white and red wines. Can be kept for 5 to 15 years. Ideal serving temperature: between 8 and 10°C for white; between 15 and 17°C for red. Pair with: dry white, an excellent traditional veal blanquette, seafood and shellfish, a slice of Garonne sturgeon, to accompany a Pélardon cheese or scallop and cauliflower skewers with caper and grape fondue; red, pheasant with cabbage or eel in red wine sauce.