De Bierschuur : Wines

The Médoc appellation of controlled origin covers the largest area in the Médoc for it can be applied to all the wines produced in the prescribed zone in the peninsula. If we base ourselves on texts, the eight precisely defined appellations of the whole of the Médoc (from Blanquefort Brook to the north of the Bordeaux built-up area, almost to the Pointe de Grave) may claim the Médoc appellation. But there is also a specific territory in the north of the peninsula which produces exclusively wines with this appellation.In point of fact, we may note that, in the great majority, the Médocs come from the north of the peninsula. The great individuality of this region is that the number of vines has increased more recently here than elsewhere, apart from a few isolated spots where vines have grown for many years. Today, the size of the small estate has brought about the development of a powerful co-operative movement. Four co-operatives out of five belong to the group called Unimédoc which ensures aging, bottling and marketing a large proportion of their wines. The land with the Médoc appellation links three kinds of Médoc terroirs: Garonne gravel, Pyrenees gravel and soils of clayey limestone. Taking account of the huge area the appellation covers, these terroirs are extremely varied in character. Thanks to this variety of terroirs, the infinite palette of the wines with the Médoc appellation has distinction, roundness and a balanced personality. They may be full bodied with a fine ruby red colour. They should be kept a long time for their many nuances to develop. Others are elegant, subtle, with a fine bouquet, ready to be drunk younger, though this in no way reflects on their exemplary finesse.