Two A.O.C. (Controlled name of origin) share the territory, Saint-Emilion and Saint-Emilion Grand Cru. This region produces wines that are globally imitated but never equalled: Chateau Ausone, Chateau Petrus and Chateau Angelus to name but a few. Yet the historical recognition of wines from the right bank happened later than the Grave or Medoc. Even though wine has been produced since the time of the Roman conquest in the 11th century, the interest in this region only began during the construction of the bridge across the Dordogne in 1820. Everything here is different from other regions around Bordeaux: limestone soil, the climate has a slight maritime influence and strong temperature fluctuations, and the vast majority of grapes grown is Merlot. This gives the wine a bright and fruity roundness that makes them very accessible and pleasant in their early youth with an aging potential as important as the Grands Crus Classés Medoc from the best producers. Saint Emilion is perhaps the most accessible region to discover the Grands Vins de Bordeaux.  The “Grand Cru” appellation is characterized by the qualitative selection, regularly revised, an output limited to 40hl/ha and raising minimum 12 months.