[Business France] GRAVES and PESSAC-LEOGNAN Wines Rare Bordeaux Region with Exquisite Red and White Wines [fr] [中文]
Ancient birthplace of the first Bordeaux vineyards, the highly-recognized Graves and Pessac-Léognan region hosted a press conference at the prestigious French Residence in Hong Kong on 27 May 2016 to complete their visit to Vinexpo Hong Kong. It is an ideal occasion for local professionals and media to discover the perfect harmony between these exquisite Bordeaux red and white wines and Chinese cuisine, with the wine glasses sponsored by professional glassware manufacturer Riedel.
1 Region, 2 Appellations
The region of 5,224 hectares, stretches 45 km from Bordeaux to Langon on the left bank of the Garonne river, groups together 300 winegrowers and produces extraordinary red (88%), dry and sweet white (12%) wines for daily enjoyment as well as special occasions.
Two appellations are covered in the region. The AOC Graves and Graves Supérieures have a surface area of 3,428 hectares. Its annual production is up to 156,578 hl (figure of 2015) among which red wines account for 77%, dry white wines for 20% and sweet wines for 3%. The AOC Pessac-Léognan occupies the exact location of the earliest Bordeaux vineyards with a surface area of 1,766 hectares. Its annual production is at 74,000 hl (figure of 2015) with 80% red wines and 20% dry white wines.
The region of Graves, is not only regarded as the birthplace of Bordeaux in Gallo-Roman times, but has also affirmed Bordeaux’s reputation throughout its long geological history. Its exceptional terroir expresses itself through a variety of stones (“Graves” means pebbles in French!) made up of quartz, together with ochre, white, red and pink quartzite, jasper, agate, flint and Lydian stone...in a harmonious and shimmering mix. Its Atlantic climate, with mild winter, wet spring, sunny summer and Indian autumn, have contributed to the exceptional taste of its wines.
Graves and Pessac-Léognan Wines: Pair pleasantly with Chinese Cuisine
RED - Graves and Pessac-Léognan Rouge:
The red wines benefit from a balanced make-up of grape varieties: perfume and suppleness from Merlot, complex aroma and structure from Cabernet Sauvignon, contribute in most wines. Petit Verdot, to a smaller extent, gives tannin and spiciness.
These fruit driven red wines which offer freshness and round feeling on the palate, work well with roasted and smoked meat dishes, e.g. Peking duck, BBQ pork, etc.
WHITE - Graves and Pessac-Léognan Blanc:
The elegant and full-bodied white wines inherit their remarkable characteristics from: Sauvignon of elevated sugar level and aroma, golden-skinned Semillon of rich sweet fruit and honey taste as well as Muscadelle with fruity and floral notes.
These white wines shine alongside the traditional Cantonese cuisine, e.g. dim sum, shrimp rolls, etc. The full-bodied structure of white wines compliments the texture and delicacy of dim sum and releases the freshness of the seafood inside.
Media Contacts:
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Louis CHEUNG
Senior Trade Advisor, Communications
Business France – Hong Kong Office
louis.cheung@businessfrance.fr
Tel. : +852 3752 9178
Phoebe GUO
Trade Advisor, Communications
Business France – Hong Kong Office
phoebe.guo@businessfrance.fr
Tel. : +852 3752 9130
