After our rainy day in Bordeaux, we were off to more Chateaux on Monday - this time in the Graves region. Graves means gravel in French and the region is named after their soil with is very gravelly. This is good for varieties like Cabernet Sauvingnon and they also grow Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay and Semillion in the region so most of the Chateaux in this region make both white and red wines.
Ironically, we went to the one of the only Chateaux that makes only red in this region, but it wasn't an issue 'cuz it was some really good red. Chateau Haut-Bailly was purchased by an American family who now runs it. They have updated the equipment, but still have many of the old vines (some pushing 100 years!) Their unique approach is to plant multiple varietals in the same plot of land, so you'll have a Cab Sauv plant next to a Merlot next to a Cab Franc ... interesting idea. They then mark each plant with a ribbon to let them know when to harvest that varietal since they mature at different times. It makes for a pretty plot, but I wonder if it's confusing for the pickers?
Here are some pics of our adventure at Chateau Haut Bailly.
Ironically, we went to the one of the only Chateaux that makes only red in this region, but it wasn't an issue 'cuz it was some really good red. Chateau Haut-Bailly was purchased by an American family who now runs it. They have updated the equipment, but still have many of the old vines (some pushing 100 years!) Their unique approach is to plant multiple varietals in the same plot of land, so you'll have a Cab Sauv plant next to a Merlot next to a Cab Franc ... interesting idea. They then mark each plant with a ribbon to let them know when to harvest that varietal since they mature at different times. It makes for a pretty plot, but I wonder if it's confusing for the pickers?
Here are some pics of our adventure at Chateau Haut Bailly.
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