Médoc

Médoc is a wine region in Bordeaux, France.

Cabernet Sauvignon leads the plantings, with Merlot and Cabernet Franc alongside it.

Vines root into free-draining and gravel.

The climate is maritime/oceanic.

The vineyards themselves read as forested and hills.

Red wine is what the region is known for, and in the glass it shows rich.

Quality is codified by the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux, which is worth reading off the label.

The named areas within are Haut-Médoc, Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien and Margaux.

Producers worth knowing include Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, Château Margaux and Château Mouton Rothschild.

Pour them alongside grilled meats, game dishes, rich stews and aged cheeses.

Serve at 16 to 18°C and decant before pouring.

Rewards decades in the cellar.

In the glass.

Red: Rich.

Grapes planted here.

Classifications.

• 1855 Classification of Bordeaux

Producers worth knowing.

Bottles to look for.

• Chateau Branaire-Ducru, Saint-Julien, France
• Chateau Brane-Cantenac, Margaux, France
• Chateau Calon-Segur, Saint-Estephe, France
• Chateau Cos d'Estournel, Saint-Estephe, France
• Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou, Saint-Julien, France
• Chateau Giscours, Margaux, France
• Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac, France
• Chateau Gruaud-Larose, Saint-Julien, France

At the table.

• Grilled meats
• Game dishes
• Rich stews
• Aged cheeses

Serving and cellaring.

• Serve at 16 to 18°C and decant before pouring.
• Rewards decades in the cellar.

Inside the region.

Nearby regions.

Médoc: common questions

More from here: every wine region in France, or the wider Bordeaux guide.