The colour of wines & the appellations | Margaux Médoc Tourist Office

©Wine tasting at Margaux Médoc Tourisme|Margaux Médoc Tourisme

Where does the colour of wine come from?

The colour of wine does not come from the pulp of the grape – which is generally white – but from the skin. It is the pigments in the grape skin that, by macerating with the juice, give the wine its colour. And it all depends on the grape variety, the maceration time, and the winemaker’s expertise.

Red wine

This is the star of the Médoc. Obtained from black grape varieties (often Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc), red wine is made by fermentation with the skin and pips, which give it body, colour and tannins.

In the Médoc, reds are powerful, elegant, deep… and sometimes capable of ageing for decades.

The rosé

Made from black grapes, like the red, but with a very short maceration, the rosé is distinguished by its freshness, lightness and pretty colour that ranges from pale pink to raspberry. Perfect for summer aperitifs, it’s the perfect wine for conviviality!

White wine

Made from white or black grapes vinified without contact with the skins, white wine comes in dry, sweet or syrupy varieties. Although the Médoc is world-famous for its reds, some estates offer confidential whites that are often lively and aromatic, perfect for surprising.

The “blanc de noirs”

It’s a white wine… made with black grapes! Thanks to a quick, direct pressing, a clear juice is extracted before the pigments in the skins have time to colour the wine. This process is widely used in Champagne, but it also exists in still wines.

Characteristics of Médoc wines

The Médoc is much more than just a terroir; it’s a veritable cradle of exceptional red wines. With its eight appellations, each valley, each parcel of land invites you to a unique sensory experience. These wines are an ode to the richness and diversity of the Médoc, a true journey to the heart of French viticulture.

Margaux: The Art of Finesse

The wines of Margaux are a true work of art. Produced from deep-rooted vines, they perfectly combine rich tannins and infinite suppleness. When young, they are seductive for their velvety texture, but as the years go by, they are transformed into treasures of finesse and softness. Discover fruity aromas of raspberries, cherries and redcurrants, with floral and spicy touches. On the palate, they are powerful, a real delight for connoisseurs.

Médoc : A Terroir of Character

The Médoc appellation offers an endlessly rich taste experience. Its wines are a subtle blend of liquorice, red and black berries, and roasted coffee as they age. This robust, well-structured wine offers a perfect balance of roundness and distinction. A must for lovers of generous, deep wines.

Saint-Estèphe: La Force du Tannique

The Saint-Estèphe epitomises the tannic wine par excellence. Initially full-bodied, it evolves over time to offer subtle roundness and fruity richness. On the palate, it reveals exquisite aromas of blackcurrant, violet, mocha and a touch of spice. This wine is powerful, fruity and perfectly structured, ideal for palates looking for strong, refined wines.

Pauillac: Intensity and Depth

Pauillac is a living legend in the world of wine. With its power and exceptional ageing potential, it takes you on a fascinating sensory journey. Its aromas of black cherry, liquorice, crème de cassis and incense will seduce you from the very first sip. On the palate, it is dense and deep, a wine that evolves with beautiful intensity.

Saint-Julien: Pure Elegance

The wines of Saint-Julien are a promise of smoothness and complexity. With fine, velvety tannins, they are distinguished by a unique bouquet of blueberry, blackcurrant, blackberry, prune, tobacco and a subtle touch of liquorice. This powerful, opulent wine seduces with its aromatic richness, ideal for those seeking finesse and generosity on the palate.

Listrac-Médoc: Balance and Generosity

The Listrac-Médoc appellation seduces with its lively, brilliant wines that combine generosity, finesse and harmony. The Merlot grape expresses all its richness on clay-limestone soils, creating structured, fleshy wines. Aromas of blackberry, redcurrant, liquorice, leather and sweet spices add fascinating depth. A wine of character, for unforgettable tasting moments.

Moulis-en-Médoc: Subtlety serving Power

The wines of Moulis-en-Médoc are a perfect balance between finesse and generosity. From their youth, they are both elegant and intense, with rich, complex aromas that continue to evolve. Their texture on the palate is elegant, robust and round, offering a velvety experience with every sip. A delight for lovers of supple, deep wine.

Haut-Médoc: A Unique Aromatic Journey

The Haut-Médoc appellation is a veritable playground for lovers of balanced, generous wines. With aromas of blackberry, redcurrant, liquorice and sometimes a touch of mint, each wine from this appellation is a unique sensory experience. It is lively, generous and powerful, with a striking brilliance in its colour. Perfect for those looking for a complete discovery of the flavours of the Médoc.

Here, the colour of red wine is expressed in all its subtleties: from brilliant ruby to deep ink, it heralds the richness of a sensory world apart.

Chateau De Lauga vineyard — ©Chateau De Lauga|Chateau De Lauga

10 things you need to know about wine for social success

The colour of a wine gives clues as to its age: a young red tends towards purple, an old wine becomes tuilé.
“Visiting a château” in the Médoc means visiting a wine estate, not necessarily a château like the Pays de la Loire!”
The Médoc has had 36 Grands Crus Classés since 1855. That alone.
White wine can be made with black grapes… without it changing its colour.
Tannins give red wine its structure and ageing capacity.
The temperature of service is crucial! A red that’s too hot or a white that’s too cold loses all its charm.
Wine has its own language: we talk about vintage, cuvée, élevage, robe, nose, mouth…
Tasting appeals to all the senses: sight, smell, taste… but also hearing and touch for the most passionate!
Rosés are not a blend of red and white (with rare exceptions, prohibited in AOCs).
In the Médoc, there are as many stories as there are bottles. Behind each wine, there’s a winemaker, a family, a passion.

Eager to dive into the world of wine colours?

Whether you’re sensitive to the colour of a deep red, seduced by the freshness of a light rosé or curious to taste an unexpected white, the Médoc is the ideal playground to awaken your senses. Take to the road, push open the door of a château, chat with a winemaker… and let yourself be guided by the colour in the glass.