Varieties of wine produced

Merlot

The most widely-used variety throughout the world, including the ‘Old Continent’ and in the ‘New World’. But let us not deceive ourselves. The heritage of this wine stretches back to the banks of the river Gironde. Gradually, it has conquered the whole of Bordeaux. Although wonderful to consume on its own, it is when combining it with other varieties of wine when we really discover the magic of the Merlot. It forms a perfect pair with the Cabernet Sauvignon, especially the ones made at Chateau Escot.

It brings a soft, velvet taste to the palate and it with its roundness, it wraps the sharper edges of other wines that it is paired with. This sensory experience is completed with the smell of red and black fruit, as well as delicate tones of red flowers.

Cabernet-Sauvignon

This blend of Cabernet Franc and white Sauvignon has brought joy and luck to winemakers in Medoc and other regions from the 18th century. It has conquered most of the world’s most famous vineyards.

The fat peel of its grapes make them resistant to frost and mould. Its roots reach great depths and allow them to seek out the necessary nutrients. At the same time, this variety of wine grape adapts well to a dry climate. It is the second most frequently grown variety in the world, but it particularly likes the gravel-filled soil of the Médoc peninsula. This type of soil drains rain water really well, and in the night, it transfers heat gathered throughout the day in clouds and cobbles to the vine.

This variety needs heat so that its grapes can ripen slowly and to perfection. Large exposure to the sun’s rays eliminates pyrazinoid substances from the grapes, and gives them the smell of “green peppers”. The smell of ripe Cabernet Sauvignon grapes evoke a strong aroma of blackcurrant, raspberry or violet flowers. Subsequently, after further ripening, these grapes also give off an aroma of the wrapping of Havana cigars or herbs. This is why vineyards such as Chateau Escot have grown so fond of this variety of grape.

This tannin-rich variety allows the wine to mature to perfection in the long-term.

Petit Verdot

This variety is the pride of the Pyrenean mountains, but it has almost disappeared. The main reason for this is its late maturing period. It is for this reason that it acquired the name “petit vert” (“small green”).

The current climate situation, which includes rising temperatures, has brought this graceful variety of wine back on the scene, especially in Médoc. Of course, the amount of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon produced dwarfs the amount of Petit Verdot made, but it is remains a prized wine, mainly due to its improving characteristics.

It has laid solid foundations even in certain quarters of the Chateau Escot vineyard. It acts as a type of “salt” during the final blending of the wine. Even in small doses, it strengthens the body of the wine, enriches the complexity of its expression, adds a slight dose of acidity, and gives delicious herbal tones. These characteristics make this type of wine a prized asset for tasters and lovers of noble wine.