french wine a day: Médoc

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A typical Château in Médoc

Dear wine lovers,

In the northwest of Bordeaux, where the beautiful vineyard Châteaux are, is found the most popular red wine area : Médoc*.

Actually, Médoc means both a controlled appellation and a delimited area that includes 7 other appellations which are Pauillac, Saint Estèphe, Saint Julien, Margaux, Moulis-Médoc, Listrac-Médoc and Haut-Médoc. About half of them have the right to claim as Cru Bourgeois on their labels (another rank among the ranks...). There, the most common grape there is Cabernet Sauvignon, one that responds so well on the gravel and the chalk left over by the Gironde River. Where the soil is richer, Merlot and Cabernet Franc are also planted.

Médoc wines are actually very representative of a good Bordeaux and, most of all, very reasonable in price. The Cabernet Sauvignon is very fruity when it is drunk young, then evolves to red pepper** and tobacco flavors. This is when I like to drink them (like the 1995, 1996 or 1998) and I think it pairs very well with turkey and especially "my frenchy recipe". Of course, if you find an old 1982, go ahead and drink it because that was an outstanding vintage and because at that time the wines were made to last long. I happily had the chance to confirm this with a stunning Château Lamothe Bergeron that my friends Corey and Yann treated me to last week-end.

You should easily find a Médoc wine, the issue is getting the old vintage and that's another reason to own a personal cellar. Among the ones I would recommend, there is Château Rolland de By which is always very constant, Château Tour Haut Caussan whose owner, Philippe Courian, has written in French about his life in Medoc ("Vigneron du Médoc"). Finally, I also enjoy Château Laulan Ducos, made by Brigitte Ducos, one that definitely has this feminine and delicate touch.