W3 Wine School

Pessac-Léognan (France)

Pessac-Léognan is a white wine from Bordeaux in France.

Pessac-Léognan Flavors

Lime, Grapefruit, and Gooseberry are common flavors for Pessac-Léognan.

Notes of Herbs, Grass, and a hint of Flint.

Lime
Lime
Grapefruit
Grapefruit
Gooseberry
Gooseberry
Honey
Honey
Flowers
Flowers
Herbs
Herbs
Grass
Grass
Chalk
Chalk

Pessac-Léognan Profile

Pessac-Léognan is more floral and less herbal than Sauvignon Blanc.

SUGAR:Dry 3g/l
BODY:Medium - Light
FRUIT:Medium
ACIDITY:Medium - High
ALCOHOL:12-13% ABV
Temperature Serving temperature:
Unoaked 8-10°C (46-50°F)
Oaked 12-14°C (54-57°F)

The Ideal Glass for Pessac-Léognan

The Sauvignon Blanc glass is smaller than a Chardonnay glass.

It has a more narrow bowl to concentrate the crisp and citrusy aromas characteristic of zesty and fruity white wines.

Pessac-Léognan Food Pairing

Pessac-Léognan is perfect for a wide variety of dishes.

Citrus aromas along with herbs, spices, and salty mineras, also makes it perfect for rich seafood dishes.

Aperitif
Aperitif
Fish
Fish
Crab
Seafood
Pasta
Pasta
Vegetables
Vegetables

Excellent Pairings

White Fish with Lemon and Green Herbs.
Salmon. Sushi. Sashimi.
Roast Chicken. Roasted Pork.
Asian Cuisine.
Chicken Tikka Masala.
Chilli Tomato Pasta.

Green Herbs:
Parsley. Basil. Thyme.
Vegetables:
Asparagus. Avocado. Cucumber.

Cheeses

Soft Cheese. Goat Cheese. Feta. Robiola.

Rich Pessac-Léognan

Rich Pessac-Léognan tends to be have more Semillon, which offers a richer taste than Sauvignon Blanc. Expect more yellow fruit, and more oily flavors.

Apple
Apple
Pear
Pear
Orange Zest
Orange Zest
Fig
Fig
Flowers
Flowers
Ginger
Ginger
Butter
Butter
Minerals
Flint

Excellent Pairings

Lobster with Garlic, Butter,or Wine Sauce.
French Onion Soup.
Duck. Roast Pork.
Veal Chops with Creamy Sauce.
Thai and Soy Sauce dishes.

Pessac-Léognan Cheese Pairing

Opt for cheeses with moderate saltiness and creaminess to balance the Pessac-Léognan's acidity.

Add fruits (grapes, apples, pears), nuts (almonds, walnuts), or a light drizzle of honey to enhance the pairing.

Fresh and Mild Cheeses

Goat Cheese (Chèvre): The tanginess complements the subtle fruit notes in Pessac-Léognan.

Ricotta: Especially good if served with a drizzle of honey or fresh fruits.

Mozzarella: Its delicate flavor pairs well with the wine's lightness.

Soft Cheeses

Brie: The creamy texture and mild flavor work beautifully with Pessac-Léognan.

Camembert: Similar to Brie but with slightly more earthiness.

Fontina: Its nutty, buttery qualities make a good match.

Semi-Hard Cheeses

Gruyère: Mildly nutty and sweet, enhancing the wine's subtlety.

Manchego: A classic Spanish pairing, especially younger Manchego, which is less intense.

Asiago: Lightly aged Asiago adds a complementary tang to the cheese.

Blue Cheeses (for contrast)

Gorgonzola Dolce: Its mild creaminess contrasts nicely without overpowering the wine.

If You Like Pessac-Léognan

You May Also Like:

Bordeaux Blanc (France)
Friulano (Italy)
Grüner Veltliner (Austria)
Lugana (Italy)
Pecorino (Italy)
Pouilly-Fumé (France)
Rioja White (Spain)
Rueda White (Spain)
Sancerre (France)
Sauvignon Blanc (France)
Tempranillo Blanco (Spain)
Torrontés (Argentina)
Verdejo (Spain)
Vermentino (Italy)
Vernaccia (Italy)

About Pessac-Léognan

Pessac-Léognan is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (main grape), Semillon and Muscadelle.

It is believed that Sauvignon Blanc originates from Bordaux in France.

Pessac-Léognan has big fruit flavors. It is more floral and less herbal than a pure Sauvignon Blanc. The acidity is not as high as a Sauvignot Blanc from Pouilly-Fumé, and the flavor is not as tropical as New World Sauvignon Blanc.

Crus Classés de Graves
(Pessac-Léognan AOC)

The Graves wine classification of 1959 covers 13 red wines and 10 white wines from 16 châteaux in Bordeaux's Graves region.

In 1987 Pessac-Léognan AOC was created with all the 16 châteaux belonging to the new AOC.

Red Wines
Crus Classés de Graves
(Pessac-Léognan AOC)

Château Bouscaut
Château Carbonnieux
Château de Fieuzal
Château Haut-Bailly
Château Haut-Brion (also Premier Cru Classé 1855)
Château La Mission-Haut-Brion
Château La Tour-Haut-Brion
Château Latour-Martillac
Château Malartic-Lagravière
Château Olivier
Château Pape-Clément
Château Smith-Haut-Lafite
Domaine de Chevalier

White Wines
Grand Cru Classe de Graves
(Pessac-Léognan AOC)

Château Bouscaut Blanc
Château Carbonnieux Blanc
Château Couhins
Château Couhins-Lurton
Château Haut-Brion Blanc
Château Latour-Martillac Blanc
Château Laville-Haut-Brion
Château Malartic-Lagravière Blanc
Château Olivier Blanc
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc

Bordeaux Wines

Bordeaux is the most famous wine region in the world.

The region is dominated by red wines (90%).

The river Gironde splits the area in the Left Bank and the Right Bank:


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