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Welcome to Graves Supérieures AOC, a special wine region in southwest France that makes some of the world's best sweet white wines! They take their wine so seriously that they limit how many grapes they can grow per acre – ensuring every bottle meets the highest quality standards.
The Graves wine family covers 3,100 hectares (about 7,660 acres) of vineyards. While the whole Graves area produces both red and white wines, Graves Supérieures focuses on sweet whites using three main white wine grapes: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle. For this reason, you will not find grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon here. The Graves Supérieures' expertise in sweet wine production stands out among the finest in the Bordeaux region.
Wine production here dates back to Roman times – over 2,000 years of winemaking history and tradition. By the 1700s, Graves had earned its reputation for outstanding wines. The 1953 classification made these high standards official. Today's winemakers balance time-honoured traditions with modern techniques to craft exceptional wines.
Graves Supérieures sits next to the Garonne River, just southeast of Bordeaux city. Nestled between famous wine regions like Sauternes and Pessac-Léognan, the area benefits from gravel-rich soils (hence the name), while the nearby river and ocean create perfect growing conditions.
The vineyards rest about 30 meters (98 feet) above sea level. The mild climate – neither too hot nor too cold – combined with ideal annual rainfall creates perfect conditions for premium grape growing.
The distinctive soil combines gravel, clay, and limestone. This natural mixture provides excellent drainage while retaining enough moisture for dry periods. The gravel serves double duty, storing daytime heat and warming the vines through cool nights.
This ideal combination of elevation and climate allows each grape variety to develop its full potential in fine wines. Sémillon grapes gain rich flavours, Sauvignon Blanc brings a refreshing crispness, and Muscadelle adds delicate floral notes to the wines.
Changing weather patterns present new challenges for the region. Winemakers continuously adapt their methods to maintain quality despite unpredictable conditions.
Despite fierce competition from other wine regions, growing appreciation for premium sweet wines opens new doors for Graves Supérieures. Wine enthusiasts worldwide are discovering these exceptional bottles.
Environmental responsibility drives innovation in the region. Winemakers increasingly adopt organic farming practices and smart technology to produce outstanding wines while protecting the environment. This forward-thinking approach ensures both quality and sustainability for future generations.
Vineyard Hectares
WINERIES
GROWING DEGREE DAYS
Graves Supérieures is located in a special land where everything works together to make great wine. The area gets its name from its gravelly soil, which helps water drain perfectly through the gentle hills. The beautiful Garonne River flows nearby, not just making pretty views but also helping create the perfect weather for growing grapes.
But there's more here than just vineyards. Big pine forests make homes for local animals and birds. These forests also have an important role: they block strong winds from the Atlantic Ocean, creating a protected area where grape vines can grow happy and healthy.
Graves Supérieures has the perfect weather for making great sweet wines. Thanks to the nearby Atlantic Ocean, the weather stays just right all year - not too hot and not too cold. This area is actually a bit warmer than other nearby wine regions, which helps the grapes ripen just when they should, especially for making their famous sweet white wines.
The soil here does more than just feed the vines. The little rocks in the ground (that's what "graves" means) help in two ways: they bounce sunlight back up to the grapes and keep them warm, like a natural heater. Plus, the big pine forests that surround the vineyards act like walls, blocking strong winds and bad weather. It's as if nature created the perfect place to grow grapes!
Want to know the best time to visit? Come in autumn, from September to November. This is when they pick the grapes (the French call it les vendanges), and the whole area is buzzing with excitement. You can watch how they make wine, maybe even help pick some grapes, and enjoy wine tours in a nice, mild weather.
Spring is another great time to visit this area of the city of Bordeaux and wine region, from April to June. The vineyards are beautiful then - everything is green and growing, and there are lots of wine festivals happening. You can learn all about how they make wine while enjoying the nice spring weather. The sky is usually clear, making it perfect for walking through the vineyards and tasting wine outdoors.
Both seasons are wonderful for visiting - in autumn, you can see the grape harvest, and in spring, you can see the vines come back to life. Either way, you'll get to experience what makes this AOC so special.
While you can find red wine styles crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon in other areas of Graves, the Graves Supérieures AOC is a place where winemakers make sweet white wines (among the most unique Bordeaux wines you will find.) To craft them, they blend three white grapes: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle. Each bottle holds centuries of winemaking knowledge and the special taste of this unique place. These wines tend to showcase notes of candied fruits, citrus, and floral elements. For example, a greater concentration of Sauvignon Blanc can bring green apple aromas.
What makes these wines stand out? They're sweet but not too sweet, with bright, fresh flavours that wake up your taste buds. Thanks to the gravelly soil and perfect weather, the grapes grow just right, creating wines full of fruit and flower aromas. Here's a bonus: keep these wines for 2 to 5 years, and they'll develop even more interesting flavours.
This area of the Graves region sits next to famous wine regions like Sauternes and Pessac-Léognan. Beautiful old wine houses (called châteaux) dot the landscape, surrounded by rows of grape vines. Each wine house makes wine in its own special way, so visiting different ones is always interesting.
Want to taste these amazing wines? The wine houses welcome visitors all year round. You can explore old wine cellars, meet the people who make the wine, and join in fun events like harvest festivals. It's the best way to understand why these wines and wineries are so special.
This delicious white graves wine tastes great with many foods. It pairs perfectly with foie gras (a rich duck liver dish) and works beautifully with strong cheeses like Roquefort or creamy ones like Brie. Love desserts? Try these wines with apple tart (tarte Tatin) - the wine's sweetness and freshness make desserts taste even better.
Looking to stay within this area? You've got great choices. Pick from cozy bed-and-breakfasts among the vineyards, lovely small hotels, or even rooms in old wine houses. Some wine estates let you stay right where they make the wine - imagine waking up to vineyard views every morning! It's the perfect way to enjoy your visit fully.
The best part about all these options? They make it easy to spend time exploring this special wine region at your own pace, whether you're a wine expert or just starting to learn about wine.
Within this area, you will not find grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc, which are more planted in other areas of Graves. Instead, the special taste of Graves Supérieures dry white wines comes from blending three types of grapes: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. Each grape adds something different to make these sweet white wines stand out.
While you can find red wine styles crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon in other areas of Graves, the Graves Supérieures AOC is a place where winemakers make sweet white wines (among the most unique Bordeaux wines you will find.) To craft them, they blend three white grapes: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle. Each bottle holds centuries of winemaking knowledge and the special taste of this unique place. These wines tend to showcase notes of candied fruits, citrus, and floral elements. For example, a greater concentration of Sauvignon Blanc can bring green apple aromas.
What makes these wines stand out? They're sweet but not too sweet, with bright, fresh flavours that wake up your taste buds. Thanks to the gravelly soil and perfect weather, the grapes grow just right, creating wines full of fruit and flower aromas. Here's a bonus: keep these wines for 2 to 5 years, and they'll develop even more interesting flavours.
This area of the Graves region sits next to famous wine regions like Sauternes and Pessac-Léognan. Beautiful old wine houses (called châteaux) dot the landscape, surrounded by rows of grape vines. Each wine house makes wine in its own special way, so visiting different ones is always interesting.
Want to taste these amazing wines? The wine houses welcome visitors all year round. You can explore old wine cellars, meet the people who make the wine, and join in fun events like harvest festivals. It's the best way to understand why these wines and wineries are so special.
This delicious white graves wine tastes great with many foods. It pairs perfectly with foie gras (a rich duck liver dish) and works beautifully with strong cheeses like Roquefort or creamy ones like Brie. Love desserts? Try these wines with apple tart (tarte Tatin) - the wine's sweetness and freshness make desserts taste even better.
Looking to stay within this area? You've got great choices. Pick from cozy bed-and-breakfasts among the vineyards, lovely small hotels, or even rooms in old wine houses. Some wine estates let you stay right where they make the wine - imagine waking up to vineyard views every morning! It's the perfect way to enjoy your visit fully.
The best part about all these options? They make it easy to spend time exploring this special wine region at your own pace, whether you're a wine expert or just starting to learn about wine.
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