 | This article includes alist of references,related reading, orexternal links,but its sources remain unclear because it lacksinline citations. Please helpimprove this article byintroducing more precise citations.(June 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
TheMédoc (French pronunciation:[meˈdɔk]ⓘ;Gascon:Medòc[meˈðɔk]) is a region ofFrance, well known as awine growing region, located in thedépartement ofGironde, on the left bank of theGironde estuary, northwest ofBordeaux. The region owes its economic success mainly to the production of red wine; it is home to around 1,500vineyards.
Its name comes frompagus Medullicus ('country of theMedulli', the ancientCeltic tribe that occupied this region).
The area also has pine forests and long sandy beaches. The Médoc's geography is not ideal for wine grape growing, with its proximity to theAtlantic Ocean resulting in a comparatively mild climate and high rainfall making grape rot a constant problem. It is generally believed that the nature of the region's wine derives from the soil; although the terrain is flat, excellent drainage is present and the increased amount of gravel in the soil allows heat to be retained, encouraging ripening, and extensive root systems.
With the exception ofChâteau Haut-Brion fromGraves, all of the red wines in the1855 Classification are from the Médoc. Many of the Médoc wines that are not in this classification were classified using theCru Bourgeois system until 2007. Following legal challenges this category was abolished, and reintroduced in 2010 as an annual "mark of quality" depending on independent annual assessment.
 | You can helpexpand this article with text translated fromthe corresponding article in French. (November 2013)Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
| International | |
|---|---|
| Other | |
