Graves is a wine region on the left bank of the Bordeaux region of France, characterized by the gravel soils that give it its name. Unique among the sub-regions of Bordeaux, Graves is equally respected for its red and white wines. The AOC Graves, which covers both red and white wines, is the catch-all appellation of the district. A typical Graves red is based on the classic Bordeaux grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot sometimes in a supporting role.
The typical white wine of Graves is Dry, medium-bodied and usually made from the equally familiar combination of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. About 2500 hectares of AOC Graves vineyards are devoted to red grapes, with about 750 hectares planted with white grapes. Average production is about 20 million bottles per year for white, red and Graves Supérieures wines. The latter share the same boundaries as Graves, but are a classification for Sweet white wines only, with about 150 hectares of dedicated vineyards.
Cabernet Franc is one of the oldest red grape varieties in Bordeaux. The Libourne region is its terroir where it develops best. The terroirs of Saint-Emilion and Fronsac allow it to mature and develop its best range of aromas. It is also the majority in many blends. The very famous Château Cheval Blanc, for example, uses 60% Cabernet Franc. The wines produced with Cabernet Franc are medium in colour with fine tannins and subtle aromas of small red fruits and spices. When blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it brings complexity and a bouquet of aromas to the wine. It produces fruity wines that can be drunk quite quickly, but whose great vintages can be kept for a long time. It is an earlier grape variety than Cabernet Sauvignon, which means that it is planted as far north as the Loire Valley. In Anjou, it is also used to make sweet rosé wines. Cabernet Franc is now used in some twenty countries in Europe and throughout the world.
red wines from the region of Graves go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, lamb or game (deer, venison) such as recipes of ramen burger, oriental stew with couscous or duck breast with spices, roasted figs with honey and port.
