The Winery Jean-Claude Bonnel of Graves of Bordeaux

Discovering the wine region of Graves

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.