Speaking of “Medoc” wine, the sommelier does not mean the brand of the drink and not even the chateau (castle) in which it was produced, and certainly not the variety of vines. But the name Medoc on the label says a lot. This always means that the contents of the bottle are of very good quality. And if it says "O Medoc", then excellent.
The French province of Aquitaine is famous for winemaking. This industry is mainly concentrated near the city of Bordeaux. But there is a small region in Aquitaine where unique wines are produced. Moreover, only red and only assemblage.
What kind of appeal is this? It is referred to as "Medok." The name comes from the Latin phrase "medio aquae", which means between the waters. About the appellation, its subregions and, most importantly, the wine from Medoc read in this article. We will also give here reviews about the drink and its prices in Russian alcohol shops. Indeed, this is not without reason that wine is considered one of the best in France, and, by the way, in all of Europe.
Where is the Medoc region located
Where is the province of Aquitaine, which in the Middle Ages belonged to the king of France, everyone knows. It occupies the west of the country, stretching along the coast of the Bay of Biscay. And where do they make wine from Bordeaux Medoc? The name of the appellation “Between the Waters” is by no means accidental. On the one hand - the Atlantic, or rather, the Bay of Biscay. And on the other - the wide mouth of the Gironde. The appellation is located on the left bank of this beautiful river.
Wines from Medoc were appreciated back in the Middle Ages. But the status of "AOS" - that is, quality controlled by origin, was assigned to the appeal in 1936. The area of vineyards in it reaches 5742 hectares. Despite its small size, the region produces nearly forty million bottles of wine annually. It is divided into two parts: Haut Médoc (pronounced "O Medoc") and Bas Medoc. Wines from the first subregion, according to reviews, are valued higher.
What is the difference between the appellation and the rest of the wine region of Bordeaux
Medoc stretches 80 kilometers in length, and in width it has only 10 km. But this small area has a very diverse landscape. Here there are seaside sand dunes, and flat lands (near Mago), and even low mountains (near Poiak). This determines its microclimate.
Pine forests protect the vineyards from the cold northwest winds. The water mirror of the Gironde provides additional solar radiation, which allows the berries to fill with sweetness and juice. Winter is warmer than in the rest of Aquitaine, summer and autumn are sunny. But the main advantage of the appeal is the soil. Wine "Medoc" incorporated the minerals and the taste of gravel, which Garonne and Dordogne, falling into the mouth of the Gironde, brought with them from the distant Pyrenees.
These soils are well drained and allow the grapes to ripen for a long time. Reviews from travelers to Medoc mention that a trip to these plantations brings aesthetic pleasure.
AOS Beverage Requirements
We have already mentioned that only red grape varieties are grown in this region. White "Medok" is an oxymoron. It also produces only dry wines. And they must be assembled, that is, prepared from several varieties of berries.
As a rule, Cabernet Sauvignon , Merlot and Cabernet Franc should dominate the wine “Medoc” (although the latter variety is used less often). As a framework for the taste of the drink, they resort to the help of Malbec, Carmenere and Petit Verdot.
The best are vineyards growing on low hills facing the river in the southeast of the region. This is Haut Médoc, that is, the Upper Medoc. The climate and especially the soils of this subregion are ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.
Clay heavy soils of the Lower Medoc are good for Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Some varieties like other soils. The mountains near Poiac are ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon.
What is the best wine "Medoc"
Experts say that the quality of all drinks from this region is excellent. But, as in Burgundy wines, Bordeaux also has its own “cre” - the land on which the best of the best vineyards grow.
Premier is the first and highest category. It includes chateaux such as Lafite-Rothschild, Mouton-Rothschild, Latour, Margot and O-Brion (Grave). Thus, only five vineyards are the "prime cru" of Medoc. They are located, naturally, in the upper (southern) part of the region.
But that is not all. Wine in O Medoc is made not only in castles. Many small producers and cooperatives are engaged in this. Therefore, local appellations should be taken into account. There are six of them: Margot, Saint-Julien, Poyak, Lystrac, Saint-Estef and Mouli. The wines of them are equally excellent, but differ in style.
There is another category called the Cru Bourgeois. In the 15th century, the king of France graciously permitted the wealthy citizens of Bordeaux to own castles, grow vines and make wine. There are 127 such "bourgeois plots" in Medoc. The wines of them are divided into three classes. The lower ones are just a bourgeois. Above are the "Best" and "Exceptional." But, of course, Chateau Medoc wine is most valued.
Production
The main feature of drinks from this region is their refined and, at the same time, rich fruity taste. But also the main characteristic of wine from Medoc is a long shelf life. Over time, the drink only gets better both in aroma and taste.
Wort fermentation takes place in closed steel tanks for at least one to two weeks. But some chateaux increase this period to 28 days. Further, the dry red wine "Medoc" is aged for several years in oak barrels. As a result, it becomes a little lighter and is filled with special tannins, which wood gives the drink. Therefore, in the aftertaste of the wine there are charming warm and sweet notes of vanilla.
Wines of the Lower Medoc
Do not underestimate them. The beverage labels do not say anything about “Bas” (“Lower”), it simply indicates the red wine “Medoc”. If you see such a bottle, the raw materials for the drink were collected in the north of the “peninsula” formed by the river and the sea, most likely near Lesparr.
The wines from this subregion have a very rich ruby color. Mostly Merlot is grown in these places. Therefore, reviews assure that the wine from the Upper Medok has a large roundness and a bright characteristic fruit bouquet. In the coastal part of the subregion, there are also sandy-stony soils that convey tannins and a sophisticated taste to the drink. They also prefer Merlot. But, according to the requirements of AOS, additional varieties are also used to make the drink: Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
Wines of Upper Medoc
There are six appellations in the Haut Medoc subregion that make Bordeaux's drinks world famous. They are equally perfect, but differently good. So, dry red wine "Chateau Medoc Margot" has an amazing fruity aroma and special softness. Saint-Estef Castle produces powerful characteristic drinks with a high content of tannins. The wines from Poyaka reflect the whole harmony of taste that only Cabernet Sauvignon can give to the drink. They age very well, becoming from year to year only more refined. Chateau Saint-Julien produces elegant, refined and sophisticated drinks.
What do the reviews say about the gastronomic characteristics of wines from Medoc and their price
Drinks from this region cannot be called cheap. Although petty producers from Nizhny Medok supply excellent table wines at a very affordable price to the domestic alcohol market.
In Russia, the wine "Medoc" (France) with a proud registry of "chateau" can already be bought for 1046 rubles. But this drink belongs to the "Cru Bourgeois". It is half composed of Merlot.
“Medok”, born not in a castle, but in a house, for example, Maison Bouey, costs even less - 950 rubles. These are very worthy drinks with a soft, elegant taste and a bouquet that combines the aromas of wild berries, plums and oak.
If you are interested in wines from the Grand Cru, then the price starts at ten and a half thousand rubles. These wines have an exceptional taste and perfect aging ability. If you want to taste a matured drink, bring it first to almost room temperature. Reviews claim that this way he will please you more with nuances and overflows of taste.
If the wine is young, it should be drunk a little chilled, and served not with meat, but with fish dishes.