Pessac-Léognan
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Bordeaux's only appellation equally celebrated for both red and white grands crus
An AOC carved out of northern Graves in 1987, encompassing all classified Graves châteaux including Haut-Brion and Pape Clément. Uniquely renowned for both red and dry white wines of the highest quality, sitting on some of Bordeaux's oldest alluvial terraces.
Best for: Collectors and connoisseurs seeking Bordeaux's most distinguished reds and France's finest dry whites
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Producers
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Château Bouscaut
Château Bouscaut, a historic Pessac-Léognan estate, holds the rare distinction of being a Grand Cru Classé de Graves for both its red and dry white wines, an honor awarded in 1959. Established in the 17th century, it is now managed by Sophie Lurton and Laurent Cogombles, who have led it to organic certification for the 2023 vintage. Its unique terroir of clay over limestone and gravel yields elegant, complex wines. Both red and white offerings are celebrated for their aromatic richness, depth, and excellent aging potential.
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www.chateau-bouscaut.comシャトー・ブラウン
Château Brown
Château Brown is a historic estate in Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, dating back to the 12th century. Named after Scottish wine merchant John Lewis Brown, who bought it in 1795, the estate has been led by Jean-Christophe Mau since 2004. Spanning 60 hectares (31 under vine), it is a certified HVE Level 3 oasis of biodiversity. It produces elegant, precise red and white wines.
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www.chateau-brown.comシャトー・カルボニュー
Château Carbonnieux
Château Carbonnieux, a Grand Cru Classé de Graves for both red and white wines, is one of Bordeaux's oldest and largest estates, with a history dating back to the 13th century when it was founded by Benedictine monks. Since 1956, the Perrin family has meticulously managed the property, significantly enhancing its reputation. Renowned for its elegant and age-worthy wines, particularly its white, which was historically known as "Carbonnieux mineral water" for its clarity, the estate also produces exceptional reds. Committed to sustainability, Château Carbonnieux holds HVE3 certification, reflecting its dedication to eco-friendly viticulture.
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www.carbonnieux.comシャトー・クーアン
Château Couhins
Château Couhins is a Grand Cru Classé de Graves estate located in Villenave-d'Ornon, within the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux. Uniquely owned by INRAE (the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment) since 1968, it is one of the few estates in Bordeaux classified solely for its white wine in the 1959 Graves Classification. The 35-hectare estate produces elegant dry white wines primarily from Sauvignon Blanc (95%) and Sauvignon Gris (5%). Under INRAE's stewardship, Château Couhins has become a beacon for sustainable viticulture, achieving full organic certification in 2022, and serves as a living laboratory for agroecological and agroforestry research in winemaking.
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www.chateau-couhins.frシャトー・クーアン・リュルトン
Château Couhins-Lurton
Château Couhins-Lurton is a distinguished estate in Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, renowned for its dry white wine, which holds the prestigious Cru Classé de Graves classification from 1959. The property's history dates back to the 18th century, with André Lurton acquiring and meticulously restoring it from 1967 onwards. It is the smallest of the André Lurton family's six estates and also the smallest Classified Growth of Graves. The vineyard spans 18 hectares, with 6 hectares dedicated to 100% Sauvignon Blanc for the white wine, grown on a unique clay-limestone terroir that imparts minerality and freshness. The 12 hectares for red wine are planted with Merlot (83-85%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (15-17%) on gravel and clay soils. Winemaking involves fermentation and aging in barrels, sometimes with amphorae, emphasizing elegance, complexity, and excellent aging potential for both white and red wines. Since 2019, Jacques Lurton has overseen the winemaking, continuing the tradition of crafting exceptional wines. The estate also holds High Environmental Value (HVE) level 3 certification.
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www.chateau-couhins-lurton.comシャトー・ガザン・ロッククール
Château Gazin Rocquencourt
Château Gazin Rocquencourt is one of the oldest wine estates in the commune of Léognan, with vineyard records dating back to 1468 and an elegant manor house built in 1660. Originally known as 'Château Gazen et Bourbon,' then 'Château Gazin,' the estate adopted its current name in 1995 to distinguish itself from Château Gazin in Pomerol. Since 2006, the property has been owned by the Bonnie family—proprietors of the Grand Cru Classé de Graves Château Malartic-Lagravière—who manage it with the same meticulous care. The 22-hectare estate sits on a splendid ridge of dry gravel in Léognan, certified for sustainable agriculture and High Environmental Value (HVE). Red wines blend Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, while a distinguished white wine is crafted from Sauvignon Blanc.
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www.gazin-rocquencourt.comシャトー・オー・バイイ
Château Haut-Bailly
Château Haut-Bailly is one of the most celebrated estates in Pessac-Léognan, classified as a Cru Classé de Graves for red wine in the 1953 and 1959 classifications. Founded around 1461 with origins tracing to the Le Bailly family in 1630, the estate covers 51 hectares with 39 hectares of vines planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot with an average vine age of 35 years. Since American banker Robert G. Wilmers acquired the estate in 1998 and entrusted management to Véronique Sanders (granddaughter of a former owner), Haut-Bailly has experienced a remarkable quality renaissance. The winemaking philosophy under Sanders is 'everything is gentle' — minimal intervention, hand harvesting, temperature-controlled fermentation in concrete and stainless steel, and 15-18 months aging in 50-65% new French oak barrels. The wines are celebrated for their elegant, silky tannins, smoky complexity, and outstanding aging potential of 30-40 years.
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www.chateau-haut-bailly.comシャトー・オー・ベルジェ
Château Haut-Bergey
Château Haut-Bergey is a family-owned estate located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux, France. Founded in its modern era by Sylviane Garcin-Cathiard in 1991, the estate has been managed since 2014 by her son Paul Garcin. Spanning 43 hectares, the estate produces both red and white wines from a gravel-dominant terroir. The red blends are based on Cabernet Sauvignon (43%) and Merlot (43%), complemented by Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. The whites are crafted from Sauvignon Blanc (82%) and Sémillon (18%). Paul Garcin converted the estate to organic farming in 2015 and biodynamic viticulture in 2016, earning Demeter and Biodyvin certifications in 2018–2019. Château Haut-Bergey is the first and only property in the Pessac-Léognan appellation to hold biodynamic certification, reflecting a deep commitment to soil health and terroir expression. The winery uses small stainless-steel vats for plot-by-plot precision winemaking to craft wines of purity and elegance.
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www.chateau-haut-bergey.comシャトー・オー・ブリオン
Château Haut-Brion
Château Haut-Brion holds a unique place in Bordeaux history as the only non-Médoc estate included in the 1855 classification, earning First Growth status alongside the great Médoc châteaux. Located in Pessac-Léognan (Graves), just south of Bordeaux city, the estate's history predates modern wine classification — it was already exporting to England in the 17th century. Under the ownership of Domaine Clarence Dillon since 1935, Haut-Brion is celebrated for its complex, smoky, earthy character that distinguishes it from the cassis-dominated Médoc style. Uniquely, it produces both an exceptional red (Merlot-dominant, unusually for Bordeaux) and one of the world's finest dry white wines.
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www.haut-brion.comシャトー・ラ・ガルド
Château La Garde
Château La Garde is a historic estate in the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux, with origins traceable to the 18th century when it appeared on the renowned Cassini map of France. In 1877, the Lacoste family revived the estate after the phylloxera crisis, and in 1920 négociant Louis Eschenauer acquired it, introducing the iconic lion-leopard crest inspired by the arms of Aquitaine. Since 1990, the estate has been owned by Dourthe, one of Bordeaux's most dynamic négociant houses. The 54-hectare vineyard is planted in a single block with 27 distinct soil types dominated by gravel and clay, farmed with sustainable viticulture practices. A major renovation completed in 2022 equipped the cellar with gleaming stainless steel tanks for precise parcel-by-parcel vinification. The red wines are a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, while the rarer white wine from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon is prized for its mineral precision.
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www.chateau-la-garde.comシャトー・ラ・ミッション・オー・ブリオン
Château La Mission Haut-Brion
Château La Mission Haut-Brion is one of the most prestigious estates in Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, classified as a Cru Classé de Graves in 1953. With roots tracing back to the 16th century and management by the Lazarist Fathers from 1682 to 1919, the estate was acquired by Domaine Clarence Dillon — owners of neighbouring Château Haut-Brion — in 1983. The property's unique gravelly soils over clay, sand, and chalk underpin a terroir of exceptional character. The estate produces powerful, opulent red wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, celebrated for their extraordinary aging potential of 15–60 years. Its second wine, La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion, is made from younger vines. A highly regarded dry white wine under the same name is produced from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
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www.haut-brion.comシャトー・ラリヴェ・オー・ブリオン
Château Larrivet Haut-Brion
Château Larrivet Haut-Brion is a prestigious estate located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux, with roots tracing back to the 14th century. Originally known as Château de Canolle, the property was renamed Larrivet Haut-Brion in 1929. The estate spans 72.5 hectares of gravel and sandy soils — the classic terroir of the Graves region — with 61 hectares planted to red varieties and 11.5 hectares to white. Since the Gervoson family (known for Bonne Maman jams) acquired the château in 1987, quality has risen steadily. Consulting with renowned oenologist Michel Rolland from 1996, and with Bruno Lemoine serving as Managing Director and Winemaker since 2007, the estate produces red wines from Merlot (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (45%), and Cabernet Franc (5%), and white wines from Sauvignon Blanc (80%) and Sémillon (20%). Vinification takes place in cement tanks, with the Grand Vin aged 15–18 months in a combination of new French oak, clay amphora, globes, and foudres.
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www.larrivethautbrion.frシャトー・ラトゥール・マルティヤック
Château Latour-Martillac
Château Latour-Martillac is a historic Grand Cru Classé estate in Pessac-Léognan, uniquely classified for both its red and white wines in the 1953 Graves classification. Its name derives from a 12th-century tower, a remnant of a fort linked to Montesquieu's ancestors. Owned by the Kressmann family since 1930, the château is renowned for its commitment to quality over yield. The vineyards, primarily on Pyrenean gravel soils, yield elegant and harmonious wines. Red wines are predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, while whites are a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, often benefiting from the expertise of renowned consultants. The estate is also certified for High Environmental Value.
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www.latour-martillac.comシャトー・ル・サルトル
Château Le Sartre
Château Le Sartre is a historic 25-hectare estate located southwest of Léognan in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, near Château de Fieuzal. The estate's origins date to the 14th century and its wines were praised as 'remarkable' in the 1922 Féret guide. Revived in 1981 by Anthony Perrin of the Carbonnieux family, it was subsequently acquired by Bernard Magrez in 2017 and is now managed under Château Pape-Clément. The estate produces both red wines (Merlot 50%, Cabernet Sauvignon 45%, Cabernet Franc 5%) and white wines (Sauvignon Blanc 80%, Sémillon 20%) that reflect the classic Pessac-Léognan character.
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www.bernard-magrez.comシャトー・レ・カルム・オー・ブリオン
Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion
Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a historic wine estate in Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, and the only château with vineyards located within the city of Bordeaux itself. The estate's roots date back to 1584, when Carmelite friars managed the land for over two centuries until the French Revolution. In 2010, the Pichet Real Estate Group acquired the estate and appointed Guillaume Pouthier as director in 2012, ushering in a new era of innovation. Pouthier, who trained under Michel Chapoutier in the Rhône, brought whole-bunch fermentation—a technique nearly unheard of in Bordeaux—to the estate, along with biodynamic viticulture principles. The 10-hectare vineyard is planted primarily to Cabernet Franc (39%), Merlot (41%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), with plans to further increase Cabernet Franc plantings to around 50%. Pockets of limestone in the gravelly, clay-sand soils lend a distinctive mineral tension that sets Les Carmes apart from its Pessac-Léognan neighbours. A striking new cellar designed by Philippe Starck was completed in 2016, reflecting the estate's fusion of tradition and modernity.
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www.les-carmes-haut-brion.comシャトー・レオニャン
Château Léognan
Château Léognan is a 6-hectare family estate nestled in the heart of the prestigious Pessac-Léognan appellation, on the Bordeaux Graves and Sauternes wine route. The property traces its origins to the 17th century, when Saint-Jean monks farmed the land. Acquired in the 19th century by shipowner Mathieu Seurin, the estate gained its distinctive château with imposing towers and the Saint-Mathieu chapel. In 2007, Philippe and Chantal Miecaze revitalised the domaine, taking over vines previously tended by a neighbouring Cru Classé. The estate produces red wines exclusively under the Pessac-Léognan AOC, blending 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon with an ageing potential of up to 10 years, alongside white wines and a rosé from its Graves farm.
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chateauleognan.comシャトー・マラルティック・ラグラヴィエール
Château Malartic-Lagravière
Château Malartic-Lagravière is a distinguished Grand Cru Classé estate in Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, uniquely classified for both its red and white wines in the 1953 Graves classification. Since the Bonnie family's acquisition in 1997, the estate has been revitalized with a pioneering gravity-flow winery and an agro-ecological philosophy. This approach emphasizes biodiversity and sustainable viticulture across its 73 hectares of gravelly terroir. The reds offer dense fruit and velvety textures, while the whites are celebrated for their aging potential and striking minerality.
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www.malartic-lagraviere.comシャトー・オリヴィエ
Château Olivier
Château Olivier is a historic Grand Cru Classé de Graves, recognized for both its red and dry white wines since the 1953 classification. Located in Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, this ancient estate dating back to the 11th century has been owned by the de Bethmann family since the 19th century. Its 60-hectare vineyard, primarily gravel on clay-limestone, yields elegant wines with complex aromas and significant aging potential. The estate holds HVE and ISO 14001 certifications, with organic certification for upcoming vintages.
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www.chateau-olivier.comシャトー・パプ・クレマン
Château Pape Clément
One of Bordeaux's oldest and most historically significant estates, founded in 1306 by Pope Clement V — whose papal name gave the château its name. Located in Pessac-Léognan and classified in the 1959 Graves classification for both red and white wines, Château Pape Clément combines over 700 years of viticultural heritage with modern precision under owner Bernard Magrez. The estate produces concentrated, structured red wines from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot on ancient Pyrenean gravel terraces, alongside a prestigious white wine from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Sauvignon Gris. Since 1985, Magrez's sweeping investments and the guidance of consultant Michel Rolland have elevated Pape Clément into one of Pessac-Léognan's most sought-after producers.
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www.pape-clement.comシャトー・ピック・カイユ
Château Picque-Caillou
Château Picque-Caillou is a distinguished estate founded in 1755, located in the prestigious Pessac-Léognan appellation on the outskirts of Bordeaux city, neighbouring the iconic Châteaux Haut-Brion and Pape Clément. The name derives from the French word 'caillou' (pebble), reflecting the estate's characteristic gravelly terroir deposited by the Garonne River over millennia. In 2007, Paulin Calvet revitalized the property with the guidance of consulting oenologists Professor Denis Dubourdieu and Valérie Lavigne, earning rapid recognition for its elegant, reliable quality. The estate cultivates 22 hectares of vines averaging 25 years of age, producing red wines from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, and white wines from 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon. Hand harvesting and meticulous sorting ensure consistent quality. Red wines are aged 12 months in oak barrels (35% new) producing approximately 70,000 bottles annually, while white wines are aged 7 months in barrel (20% new) yielding around 8,000 bottles per year.
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www.picque-caillou.comシャトー・スミス・オー・ラフィット
Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Château Smith Haut Lafitte, a Grand Cru Classé de Graves in Pessac-Léognan, boasts a history dating back to 1365. Since acquiring the estate in 1990, Daniel and Florence Cathiard have revitalized it with their "Bio-Precision" philosophy, blending traditional methods with cutting-edge technology. The 78-hectare vineyard, certified organic since 2019 and practicing biodynamics, lies on unique Günzian gravel soils that impart distinctive smoky notes and excellent drainage. The château is one of the few in Bordeaux with its own cooperage, crafting 70% of its barrels on-site. It produces highly acclaimed red and white Grand Vin wines, celebrated for their elegance, complexity, and aging potential.
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www.smith-haut-lafitte.comシャトー・ド・フューザル
Château de Fieuzal
Château de Fieuzal is a Grand Cru Classé de Graves in the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux, with a history spanning more than 400 years. The estate earned renown when its 1893 vintage was served at Pope Leo XIII's table at the Vatican. Since 2001, under the ownership of Irish businessman Lochlann Quinn and the guidance of winemaker Stephen Carrier (who joined in 2007), the property has undergone comprehensive modernization. Blending New World sensibility with Bordeaux tradition, Fieuzal produces structured, age-worthy red wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, alongside a non-classified dry white that rivals Haut-Brion Blanc in quality. Vineyards cover 75 hectares of classic Graves gravel, and fermentation alternates between oak barrels, stainless steel and concrete tanks to express each vintage's character.
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www.fieuzal.comシャトー・ド・フランス
Château de France
Château de France is a family-owned estate of 46 hectares located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux, on one of the highest hillsides of the Léognan terrace. Acquired by Bernard Thomassin in 1971 and now managed by his son Arnaud, the domaine has been entirely reconstituted with a singular goal: crafting great wines from exceptional terroir. The red vineyard is planted to 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot; the 4-hectare white vineyard to 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon. Consulting oenologist Michel Rolland has guided winemaking since 1996. After a devastating cellar fire in 2011, the estate rebuilt and completed new state-of-the-art cellars in 2012. Annual production reaches close to 20,000 cases across the grand vin, the second wine Château Coquillas, and the third wine Le Bec en Sabot.
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chateau-de-france.comシャトー・ド・ロシュモラン
Château de Rochemorin
Château de Rochemorin is a prestigious estate in the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux, situated at 56 metres — the highest gravelly hilltop in the commune of Martillac. Its roots trace back to 1520, and in the 18th century it was owned by the philosopher Montesquieu. Acquired by André Lurton in 1973, the estate now spans approximately 100 hectares planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sémillon. Part of Vignobles Famille André Lurton — the largest producer in the Pessac-Léognan sector — Rochemorin crafts expressive mineral whites and elegant, structured reds that feature on over 250 Michelin-starred tables worldwide.
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www.andrelurton.com/en/chateau/chateau-de-rochemorin/ドメーヌ・ド・シュヴァリエ
Domaine de Chevalier
Located in the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation, Domaine de Chevalier is a prestigious estate classified for both its red and white wines. Under the stewardship of the Bernard family since 1983, the estate is renowned for its meticulous viticulture and commitment to excellence. The vineyards are situated in a unique microclimate, producing wines of exceptional elegance, complexity, and longevity. The white wines are widely considered among the finest in Bordeaux, while the reds are celebrated for their refined tannins and aromatic depth, reflecting the true character of the Graves terroir.
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www.domainedechevalier.com/ヴィニョーブル・アンドレ・リュルトン
Vignobles André Lurton
Vignobles André Lurton is one of Bordeaux's most significant family wine groups, founded by the legendary André Lurton who was the primary architect behind the creation of the Pessac-Léognan appellation in 1987. The group owns and operates a prestigious portfolio of estates primarily in Pessac-Léognan and Entre-Deux-Mers, including Château La Louvière, Château Bonnet, Château Couhins-Lurton, Château de Rochemorin, and Château Cruzeau. Today, André's children continue his legacy, combining meticulous viticulture with sustainable farming practices to produce elegant, terroir-driven Bordeaux wines of both red and white styles.
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eng.andrelurton.com
Food Pairings
Reds: roast lamb, game, duck confit, aged hard cheeses. Whites: oysters, scallops, turbot, grilled salmon, and mild curries.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Pessac-Léognan wines unique in Bordeaux?
- Pessac-Léognan is the only Bordeaux appellation equally celebrated for both red and dry white wines at grand cru level. Its ancient gravel terraces south of the city create wines of remarkable elegance and complexity.
- Which famous châteaux are in Pessac-Léognan?
- Pessac-Léognan is home to Château Haut-Brion (the sole first growth outside Médoc), La Mission Haut-Brion, Pape Clément (Bordeaux's oldest named estate), Smith Haut Lafitte, and all 18 classified Graves châteaux.
- When was Pessac-Léognan created as an AOC?
- Pessac-Léognan received its own AOC designation in 1987, separating the finest northern part of Graves — home to all classified châteaux — from the broader Graves appellation.
- What are the main grape varieties in Pessac-Léognan?
- Reds are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec as supporting varieties. Whites use Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, often blended, producing some of France's greatest dry white wines.