Location and Terroir
Pomerol is an appellation area in the Gironde département in the south-west of France. It comprises the commune of Pomerol and defined parts of Libourne. The appellation borders to the south-east on Saint-Émilion and to the north on Lalande-de-Pomerol, separated by the course of the Barbanne river.
The relief is relatively flat and slopes gently down to the valley of the Isle and to the confluence with the Dordogne. The soils consist of Quaternary alluvial terraces with sand, gravel and reddish stones over clay-rich Tertiary formations. Important components include smectite-rich clay, surface gravels and an iron-oxide-bearing subsoil referred to as “crasse de fer”. The Günz terrace lies about 30 to 40 metres, and the Riss terraces about 20 to 25 metres above sea level.
Climate and Grape Varieties
The temperate, oceanic climate shaped by the Atlantic is influenced by its position at the confluence of Isle and Dordogne. The north-eastern location in the Gironde leads to warmer conditions in summer and autumn, which favour the ripening of the grapes.
The authorised grape varieties are Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot and Petit Verdot. Merlot is the dominant variety. Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon are particularly associated with gravelly soils, while Petit Verdot is authorised but rare.
Wine and Appellation Regulations
The Pomerol AOC appellation is reserved for red still wines. The official description links it to an intensive colour, aromas of black fruit, and the ability for longer bottle ageing. The wines must be made from vines from the officially delimited production parcels. The standard yield is limited to 49 hectolitres per hectare, the maximum yield to 60 hectolitres per hectare.
The minimum planting density is 5,500 vines per hectare. Single and double Guyot are permitted, cordon training according to Royat as well as long-rod pruning; at most ten fruit buds are allowed per vine. Chemical weed control is prohibited, and vegetation management must be carried out mechanically or physically. Cropped headlands and slopes are required. Irrigation during the growing season may be approved only in the event of persistent dry weather, if this affects the development of the vines and the ripening of the grapes.
History
The development of viticulture in Pomerol has been documented since the 12th century, when a commandery of the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem was founded there. An entry from 1761 describes the replacement of a vineyard with white grape varieties by Cot, Cabernet Franc and Merlot within eight years. After the phylloxera crisis, replanting in the late 19th century made Merlot the dominant grape variety. Improved transport connections through the Libourne–Paris railway line supported the sale of the wines beyond the region.
The appellation was first recognised on 8 December 1936 by decree. The current specifications were homologated on 12 October 2021 by the French Ministry of Agriculture. The wines must mature for at least until 1 November of the year following the harvest and may be marketed to consumers from 15 November of the same year.
