| Interviewing winery director Eloi Jacob of Chateau Fourcas Hosten |
As we mentioned this summer, after six years of sustained efforts by Médoc winegrowers, on June 12, 2025, the National Institute for Origin and Quality (INAO) officially recognized the Médoc blanc AOC. This recognition marks a historic milestone for a region long perceived as exclusively dedicated to red wines, and confirms the revival of an ancient craft.
This is no small achievement. It involves many dynamic parts, personalities, legislation, votes, and collective organization to make this happen. To get the fully story, who better to interview than one with the most intimate knowledge of the process, winery directory Eloi Jacob, of organic estate Château Fourcas Hosten – one of the dynamic figures who worked behind the scenes to bring this new appellation to life.
You will also find testimonials from import partners who work with Château Fourcas Hosten’s white wine and why they have added this cuvée to their Bordeaux offering.
What was the process for approaching the INAO and obtaining approval for this new Médoc Blanc AOC?
There is a collective structure that defends and manages appellations of origin and quality, known as the ODG (Organisme de Défense et de Gestion). It was this body that drew up the specifications for the Médoc Blanc appellation, based on:
- history (white varieties that have existed in the Médoc for a long time or have existed in the past)
- the typical characteristics of the wine (terroirs, climates, organoleptic characteristics)
- technical criteria (defined area, grape varieties, planting density, authorized vinification methods, type of aging, aging period, bottling date, date of first sale)
This ODG brought together winegrowers to discuss all these issues and tasted the white wines already produced in the Médoc on several occasions to define these specifications, including Chateau Fourcas Hosten’s white wine.
It was then submitted to the INAO.
This naturally required several rounds of back-and-forth between the INAO and the ODG to modify certain criteria (grape varieties, aging).
Finally, an INAO commission accepted these specifications in June 2025. They were then validated by the Ministry of Agriculture in August 2025.
CAHIERS DES CHARGES DES AOC MEDOC, HAUT-MEDOC ET LISTRAC-MEDOC | FGVB
Was it necessary to involve many colleagues in the Médoc?
Yes! It’s a collective effort.
Chateau Fourcas Hosten was the driving force behind the official application in 2018.
On a personal level, I conducted several blind tastings of Médoc wines, comparing them with other appellations from Bordeaux and around the world to convince those around me of the uniqueness of this terroir.
Did it take several years?
It took seven years between the initial request and the final signature.
The first vintage will be 2025, which happens to be an excellent vintage for us, with great complexity and finesse. We are very proud to launch this new appellation with such a high-quality vintage.
What are the criteria for producing a white wine that meets the Médoc Blanc AOC standards?
The winery must meet a set of criteria, namely:
• A vineyard planted within the current Médoc appellation area.
• Minimum planting density.
• Authorized grape varieties are those of the regional appellation: Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon, Muscadelle, and resistant varieties adapted to climate change.
• Regulated winemaking equipment.
• Minimum duration and aging requirements stipulating that at least 30% of the volume of wine must be aged in wooden barrels for a minimum of three months, that aging must continue until at least March 31 following the harvest, and that the wine must be sold in glass containers from April 15 of the year following the harvest.
• Bottling after Qualibordeaux inspection and no earlier than April 1 following the harvest
• Marketing no earlier than April 15 following the harvest
How does it differ from other Bordeaux whites?
This appellation differs from other Bordeaux whites in that it has:
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Are there many other Domaines that can produce a Médoc Blanc?
There are 70 estates covering a maximum of 170 hectares that can produce white wine under the Médoc white AOC. Compared to the 16,000 hectares of the Médoc region, this is a very small production.
What are the ambitions behind the creation of the Médoc Blanc AOC?
The main objective is to produce exceptional wines.
The Médoc Blanc AOC promotes a production that is deeply rooted in identity, passed down through generations. Thanks to their precise expertise and excellent terroirs, the AOC’s winegrowers create gourmet wines that offer immediate pleasure while also displaying superior aging potential.
How important is this new classification for Château Fourcas Hosten?
This new AOC designation is very important for Château Fourcas Hosten, as it highlights our geographical origins, our expertise, and our precise work. We craft our wines with meticulous attention to detail—it’s true haute couture.
What sets Fourcas Hosten apart?
In 2012, after a detailed study of the geology of the plots, we planted white grape varieties perfectly suited to these terroirs. From the moment they were planted, we opted for organic viticulture.
It was both a bold decision and a necessity, as these plots are truly great terroirs for white wine: the soils are limestone and clay-limestone with a pH of around 3.10, and the microclimate is cooler all year round. The Château is thus reconnecting with the region’s origins, as historically the Médoc was a land of white wines.
Presentation of the Laurent plot planted with Sauvignon Blanc grapes by Eloi Jacob
Gilles Faelens, Vins de Gilles, Importer in Holland
I really like the innovation in the Médoc region, which, with this new appellation, combines tradition and renewal.
The Fourcas Hosten whites are direct, clean, and offer an excellent balance between freshness and roundness. They surprise Dutch customers who are not yet familiar with Bordeaux/Médoc white wines.
In addition, their excellent aging potential and organic certification make all the difference.
Miloslav Lerch, L-Plus, Importer in the Czech Republic
I have been interested in this topic for a long time and I am delighted that the Médoc AOC now includes dry whites.
The Médoc white AOC could be more interesting to the general public than the Bordeaux white appellation.
However, in the Czech Republic, this is not so important. Czech consumers are traditionally very conservative and, in Bordeaux, they prefer red wines. However, white wines are marginally popular. There are, of course, exceptions such as Haut-Brion, Pape Clément, and Smith Haut Lafitte.
But for me, Bordeaux white wines are a matter of the heart. As I work with private clients, I can play an educational role and convince my clients to pay more attention to them. These wines have a wide range of gastronomic applications.
I have added Château Fourcas Hosten white to the wine list of the Shrimii-Kitchen restaurant, with which I work closely.
Tom de Saegher, Le Goût du Vin, Importer in Belgium
I import white wines from Bordeaux to Flanders. Although they are not very well known in my region, there is already growing interest in Pessac-Leognan wines such as Carbonnieux and Malartic Lagravière. However, the general public and even many restaurants are unfamiliar with white Bordeaux wines. Promoting and distributing them is a real mission, and one that I am sure will become increasingly important.
I am confident that the creation of the Médoc Blanc AOC will contribute to the promotion of these wines. It is always easier to promote a regional AOC than a generic AOC. My customers always have a different feeling about a regional AOC compared to a generic AOC. Then, of course, they have to taste them…
The wines that will in future be classified as Médoc Blanc AOCs are very different from one another, so it is difficult to suggest a uniform food and wine pairing. But, for example, Fourcas Hosten white goes perfectly with seafood, but also with a good dark chocolate mousse or mature cheeses.
Current White Wine Available
Le Blanc de Fourcas Hosten 2023
Organic Certified
A vintage with great aromatic finesse, featuring notes of citrus and exotic fruits. The palate is very full-bodied and velvety, with a very long, fresh finish.
65% Sauvignon blanc
20% Sauvignon gris
15% Sémillon
Aging: Barrique and amphore
Production : 11 000 bottles
This post is also available in Version française.