Wine news flash! The Médoc AOC has been approved for the production of dry white wines! Originally approved in 1936, the Médoc AOC was previously approved for dry red wines only and has consistently been a prodigious producer—averaging 300,000 hectoliters a year—of good quality, reasonably affordable red Bordeaux.
After several years of debate, the INAO approved the production of white wines in the Médoc AOC—covering the same area as allowed for the appellation’s red wines—in 2024. As of March 3 of this year (2026), the proposal was approved by the EU and communicated via publication in the Journal of the European Union.
Dry white wines will now be a part of the production of the Médoc AOC in accordance with the following guidelines:
- Grape varieties:
- Principal grape varieties—must comprise a minimum 90% of the final blend: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Sauvignon Gris, and/or Muscadelle
- Grape varieties allowed “of interest for adaptation purposes” (in anticipation of potential climate change) may comprise up to 5% of an estate’s vineyard holdings and 10% of an individual wine’s blend: Alvarinho (Albariño), Liliorila, Sauvignac, Souvignier Gris, and/or Floréal
- Ageing: must be aged on the winemaker’s premises until March 31 of the year following the harvest; at least 30% of each vintage must be aged in contact with wood
- Packaging: bottling/packaging must occur between April 1 and December 31 of the year following the harvest
- Alcoholic strength: must be between 11% and 13% alcohol by volume
Map of the Médoc via the INAO
It is estimated that 420 acres/170 ha of the Médoc vineyards are planted to white varieties. Until now, the resulting wine—to include some made by top producers such as Aile d’Argent (made by Château Mouton Rothschild), Pavillon Blanc (made by Château Margaux) and Château Cos d’Estournel Blanc—would have been bottled under the Bordeaux AOC. With this new development, those producers that choose to abide by the appellation’s standards may commercialize their wines as Médoc AOC. We look forward to trying some!
Welcome to the world, Médoc Blanc AOC!
References/for more information:
Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org