When talking about Bordeaux, France, it is common to immediately think of some of the most prestigious wines in the world. But few connoisseurs know that the history of this region began in a specific terroir: Graves, one of the oldest and most emblematic appellations in French viticulture. Located south of the city of Bordeaux, Graves is a region of medieval villages, castles, old houses and baroque churches. It received its name because of its soils made of gravel, sand and clay — a mixture of elements known in French as grave. These stones accumulate the sun's heat during the day and release it slowly throughout the night, favoring a slow and balanced maturation of the grapes. The result is wines marked by elegance, freshness and excellent aging potential. Some of Bordeaux's most refined styles are born from this terroir. Great red wines Château Reynon is a velvety and elegant red that represents the best of Bordeaux. Disclosure. In reds, cuts that combine Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot predominate, creating labels of great aromatic complexity. Black fruits, spices, cedar notes and a delicate mineral touch appear in perfect harmony, supported by elegant tannins and good structure. One of Graves' most prestigious reds is Château Reynon, which is velvety and elegant, with 12 months of maturation in oak barrels for greater complexity of aroma and flavor. It is perfect to accompany intense and tasty foods such as roasted and grilled red meats, as well as mature cheeses. Incredible white wines Although 90% of Bordeaux wines are red, Graves also occupies a special place in the production of white wines. Made mainly with Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, the labels stand out for their combination of freshness, aromatic intensity and texture. The Pope of white wines Denis Dubourdieu, winemaker considered the Pope of Bordeaux. Disclosure. The person who revolutionized the production of white wines in Bordeaux was winemaker Denis Dubourdieu, considered the Pope of this style. Elected in 2016, the year of his death, as Man of the Year by the prestigious British magazine Decanter, he is a figure revered worldwide, especially for his research into aromas and yeasts in wines. Today the Denis Dubourdieu winery is run by his sons and the wines are distributed in Brazil by the importers Porto a Porto and Casa Flora. Individuals can purchase them through Grande Adega’s e-commerce. One of the winery's most renowned wines is the Dubourdieu Liaison White, which is full-bodied and silky, as well as tasty and sophisticated – launched in Brazil. It is a label with a gastronomic vocation, perfect with roasted fish, risottos and white meats. Centennial tradition Pessac-Léognan is one of the most prestigious appellations in Bordeaux. Disclosure. Another distinguishing feature of Graves is its diversity. The region is home to centuries-old properties and producers who combine tradition and innovation to authentically express the characteristics of the terroir. One of the most prestigious appellations, and famous for its reds and whites, is Pessac-Léognan, south of the city of Bordeaux, where the gravel, clay, sand and limestone soils give even more refinement, elegance and silkiness to the wines. One of the great labels of this appellation is Château Cantelys Red AOC Pessac-Léognan, produced with grapes from old vines. Elegant and harmonious, it is one of those wines that delight the palate, as well as pairing very well with roasted meats and barbecues. The 2022 harvest, available in Brazil, received 92 points from Wine Spectator magazine. DRINK LESS, DRINK BETTER.