Region	Pomerol Relatively small red wine region on the right bank of the Dordogne, near Libourne. The wine region lies next to the “graves” (gravely soils) of St.-Émilion. The wine region is known for its velvety and sensuous red wines. Pomerol lacks true châteaux and even a town. One will only find a small chapel with an impressive steeple on a low hill. This hill, the Monticule de Pomerol, gives the name to this appellation. -Only wines from the communes: Pomerol and special parcels of Libourne. -Only red wines -Grape varieties red wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Carmenère. -Production: max. 40 hl. per ha.		The grape varieties The châteaux The best parts of Pomerol have sandy-gravel soil. More to the west the soil gets sandy. The subsoil is known as ‘crasse de fer`. An iron-pan with gravel in the east and clay in the north and centre. On a special part of this underlying clay lies the famous Château Pétrus. Pomerol has a maritime climate, caused by the Atlantic. The warm Gulf Stream and the Gironde act as a heat-regulator and moderate the climate. This gives the region mild winters, warm summers, and long, sunny autumns. The climate of Pomerol is more continental however, with a greater variation of temperature during the day and less rainfall during summer and winter. The oceanic influence places the region in a very privileged position with few unwelcome extremes of temperature. Much to the concern of the vignerons however, harvest time and the rainy season arrive about the same time. If the rains come early all grapes will not be fully ripened. If the rains come during harvest, the grapes can lose concentration. The record keepers have observed that in any ten-year span there will be, from a climate point of view, three great years, three poor years, and four that are mediocre. Sometimes the normally mild region is rudely reminded of its northern latitude. In February 1956 a hard frost occurred with temperatures below -18 C (0F). There is also the lingering concern that the Saint de Glace may visit the budding vines in the first weeks of May. Like in 1991.