Graves · Graves appellation · reds and whites
Graves wines: reds and whites on request, food pairing
Red and white Graves are not on Transvins' price list at the moment: Transvins sources them on request. This page says what the appellation is, how long to keep its wines and what to serve them with; the quote gives the wines, the vintages and the price.
Graves on request
A few names Transvins can look for. The quote says what is available.
Two châteaux, red and white
Two names from the appellation: a simple red, two more ambitious cuvées, a white.
Respide
Château Respide: the simple red, and the Callipyge cuvée, in red and white, for those who want a step up.
Saint-Robert
Château Saint-Robert, cuvée spéciale: a red that gains from a few years' wait.
What makes a Graves
The left bank of the Garonne, south of Bordeaux, down to around Langon. Gravel soils, pebbles and sand, which gave the region its name. The reds blend cabernet sauvignon and merlot; the dry whites, sauvignon blanc and sémillon. It is one of the few Bordeaux appellations as well known for its white as for its red.
The north of the Graves became a separate appellation in 1987: see the Pessac-Léognan wines. To the south, enclosed within the Graves, the sweet wines: see the Sauternes wines.
What to serve it with
- The white: fish in sauce or grilled (wine with fish), a seafood platter (wine with seafood).
- The red: roast poultry, a banquet meal (wine with poultry).
Which Graves for which occasion
At a reception, a dry white Graves makes more of an impression than a great red served too warm (wine budget per person). For a wedding with fish on the menu, the white for the meal (which Bordeaux for a wedding).
Graves or Pessac-Léognan?
Pessac-Léognan is the north of the Graves, which became a separate appellation in 1987; all the Graves classified growths are there. The Graves appellation covers the rest, further south: generally simpler wines, and cheaper.
How long should you keep a Graves?
A dry white, one to six years; a simple red, three to ten years; a more ambitious cuvée, a little longer. It is a general rule, not a tasting note.
How do I get a price?
Through the quote request: red or white, the number of bottles, the budget. Transvins comes back with wines, their vintages and a price per bottle incl. VAT; delivery is extra, and its grid gives the lead times.