Viniculture on this peninsula has a faily brief history. Only since the 17th century has it been done here. In spite of this, Médoc has been a synonym for fine and expensive wines that are grown and processsed in high carat castles and vineyards. The famous calssification of the Médoc wines from 1855 proves high quality that reached this area quickly. The singular quality and price increase after World War II increased the world's respect and made enormous investments in modern production possible.
Médoc is 70 km long and 25 km wide, a hilly plateau, north of the city of Bordeaux. The region is made up of eight names: Haut-Médoc, Listrac, Margaux, Médoc, Moulis-en-Médoc, Pauillac, St-Estéphe und St-Julien. Near the delta of the Gironde one can fine the best places. Gravelly sand, the dominat soil, makes for excellent drainage of the ground.
The offer of wine in this large region reaches from the sparkling wine to the simple everyday wine. The wine are stiff, full, and complex as a rule, extremely balanced and with full body. The Margaux wines are of great finesse and elegance. The Pauillac wines are usually darker and more complex. The wines of St-Juliens are full. The Médoc wine is rather rustic and strong.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot are the most popular vines. Among the whites is Sauvignon Blanc. Malbec is fading.
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