Côtes de Bordeaux – A Information to the Necessities

We’re definitely conversant in Bordeaux, the long-lasting area in western France that gives luxurious, cellar-worthy wines. Bordeaux vineyards are the most important AOC in France with 65 appellations, a manufacturing of about 5.3 million hectoliters, 111,200 hectares underneath vine and 6500 winegrowers. Spectacular, to say the least!

However how a lot, actually, can we find out about Côtes de Bordeaux? Within the fall of 2022, I visited the area for the primary time and realized that many wine lovers don’t know that the world even exists! On this article, the necessities of Côtes de Bordeaux are defined. The place is Côtes de Bordeaux? What grapes are cultivated? What’s the historical past of the area? What do the wines style like? And one essential query: why ought to I drink these wines?

Côtes de Bordeaux

The AOC Côtes de Bordeaux is discovered on the best financial institution of the rivers Dordogne and the Garonne in addition to the Gironde Estuary that washes into the Atlantic Ocean. It’s comprised of 5 distinctive areas: Blaye, Castillon, Cadillac, Francs and Sainte-Foy. Greater than 950 producers make a mean of 500,000 hectoliters of wines (665 million bottles)  of which 97% are crimson wines. Actually, 10% of all Bordeaux wines are made in Côtes de Bordeaux.

 

Fascinating Blaye-Côtes de Bordeaux is situated about 30 miles north of Bordeaux – it’s essentially the most northern space of the area. Dealing with the Medoc and overlooking the Gironde Estuary, terroir is generally clay and limestone soil across the city of Blaye. In the direction of the north, sand and gravel soils allow Sauvignon Blanc to thrive and within the southeast, soils are different. Most vineyards in 6500 hectares unfold all through 41 communes are discovered on hillsides which can be bathed in sunshine, though excessive humidity due to the maritime affect is famous. 90% of the manufacturing is crimson – 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Malbec. White wines cultivated are 90% Sauvignon and 10% Muscadelle and Semillon.

Intense wines with mushy tannins and loads of character are present in Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux, adjoining to Francs and bordered on the west by St. Emilion. Gravel soils close to the Dordogne, clay on the backside of hillsides and limestone on mountain plateaus present a basis on which grapes flourish. With a south-facing publicity and an altitude of greater than 100 meters, the local weather is oceanic with gentle, humid parts and continental influences. 2300 hectares unfold over 9 villages produce 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

Producing delicate, refined wines, 2200 hectares of vineyards in 39 communes of Cadillac-Côtes de Bordeaux are on calcareous soils coated with stony gravel on the summits, clay and limestone in the course of the slope and advantageous gravel combined with silica on the coast. The realm in extremely influenced by the Gironde which helps mood the local weather. Varieties grown are 55% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec.

 

In tiny Francs-Côtes de Bordeaux, subsoil of limestone coated with “l’agenais,” a kind of limestone molasses is discovered on excessive, sunny, east-facing hillside parcels situated about 30 miles northeast of Bordeaux. Small but mighty, 435 hectares unfold throughout 3 communes expertise dry and oftentimes harsh and chilly continental local weather in winter with sizzling summers. The realm’s jap publicity protects vineyards from hail and the storms that happen within the valleys of the Isle and Dordogne rivers. Crimson grapes cultivated are 60% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and white grapes are 60% Semillon, 8 % Muscadelle and 32% Sauvignon.

In Sante-Foy-Côtes de Bordeaux, a mere 350 hectares of vineyards encompass the historic medieval city of Sainte-Foy-La-Grande the place elegant wines with aromas and flavors of brilliant crimson fruit and cherries. Of principally clay and limestone soil and river gravel, the appellation has a temperate local weather with continental influences. Crimson kinds of 65% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and three% Malbec are produced, as are white kinds of 60% Sauvignon, 10% Muscadelle and 30% Semillon.

A Temporary Historical past of Côtes de Bordeaux

Grapevines have been rising within the Côtes de Bordeaux since historical instances. By the two^nd century, Romans had planted the primary “Vitis Biturica” vines and because of the writings of Ausonius within the 4^th century, the popularity of the wines had been lauded so far as Rome. Nevertheless, when Eleanor of Aquitaine married Henry II of England, the London market opened for wines from the Côtes de Bordeaux. But, after the Battle of Castillon when the English occupation of Aquitaine ended, so did the English marketplace for Côtes de Bordeaux wines!

Within the second half of the 17^th century, the English realized that these wines may face up to transport and storage to their colonies and a renaissance occurred. By the 18^th century, producers and growers developed crimson and white Côtes de Bordeaux appellations, formally established within the 20^th century.

The Wines of Côtes de Bordeaux

After we’re in search of a simple consuming, reasonably priced wine from Bordeaux, select these from Côtes de Bordeaux. The wines I tasted when within the area had been beautiful, principally Merlot-driven decisions that provided brilliant acidity and mushy tannic construction.  Many had been blended with different Bordeaux varieties resembling Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, but there have been exceptions to the blends. I additionally tasted luscious candy wines of Sauvignon, Semillon and Muscadelle in addition to vivacious white wines of Sauvignon Blanc. The restrained use of oak helped make so many wines flavorful, meals pleasant and completely pleasing.

The wineries I visited in 4 of the 5 sub-regions proved that every is exclusive in its personal method. In future articles, I’ll share extra about every Château – you’ll wish to go to and expertise the world for your self. Within the meantime, be impressed and uncover the wines of Côtes de Bordeaux.

Vignobles Raguenot was based in 1967 by Lise and Philippe Raguenot and in 1997, their two daughters Emmanuelle and Marie-Pierre and husbands took over the winery of Château des Tourtes in the Blaye-Côtes de Bordeaux appellation. I used to be lucky to go to the property and have a guided tasting by Emmanuelle who remarked that these within the area “can’t lose our soul.”  Among the many many wines swirled and sipped was 2018 L’Atribute des Tourtes, a chic, highly effective instance of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon with notes of blackberry jam, toast and vanilla on a basis of glossy tannins . Emmanuelle shared that “most wines are supposed to be sipped younger, however this could maintain for 3 to 4 years.”

In Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux , a foggy morning at Château de Belcier was beautiful. Constructed on the finish of the 18^th century and owned by an previous Bordeaux household tied to Montaigne, the property was partially rebuilt by Francois de Belcier. Presently, the Chateau is owned by Macif, an insurance coverage firm, and is completely stunning with historical past oozing from each nook. Frederic duBois led the tasting of quite a few wines and as he opened Chateau de Belcier Le Pin 2018, he acknowledged, “this wine is simply pretty much as good as these from St. Emilion.” From 45-50 yr previous vines, the wine is an intense mix of Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Concentrated and wealthy with daring, luxurious flavors of crimson berries and black plums, it was a present to drink this wine after a number of years of ageing.






Distinctive terroir at Château Biac in Cadillac-Côtes de Bordeaux was intriguing. Its beautiful setting, overlooking a meander of the Garonne River and the plain of the Graves, is perfect for Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Semillon to thrive. After an indepth dialog with proprietor Tony Asseily at his residence, then a tour and tasting of wines, I spotted simply how particular this area actually is. Among the many many notable wines sipped was Chateau Biac 2015, a chic wine of predominantly Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and small quantity of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot – every year the mix differs in keeping with Tony. Balanced with ripe fruit-forward aromas and flavors, silky tannins and a lingering end had been memorable.






Though I didn’t personally go to Château Advert Francos situated in Francs-Côtes de Bordeaux, I had the chance to satisfy the energetic Justine Brochard, Business Director of the Château one afternoon throughout lunch. She defined that the citadel of Advert Francos (that means “belonging to the Francs”) has been existence for the reason that 6^th century, on the time of the conquest of Aquitaine by King Clovis. Finally, the citadel turned the present village of Francs with the identical identify. Winemaking has been ongoing for the reason that 11^th century because of its terroir. The wine I tasted, Château Advert Francos 2020 Rouge, was a mix of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged for 2 years in French oak barrels. Every sip provided a full expression of fruit on a mattress of soppy tannins and reasonable acidity. 






In small Sainte-Foy-Côtes de Bordeaux, a go to to Château Carbonneau was a superb finale to the week. On the primary night of the journey, I met Wilfrid Franc de Ferriere, proprietor of the Château, who welcomed our group and shared his wines throughout dinner collectively. The final morning in Côtes de Bordeaux, I toured the huge grounds, manufacturing facility and tasting room at Château Carbonneau to study extra. One in all my favourite wines (and story) was Sequoia 2019. Named after the 150 yr previous Sequoia tree on the property (and largest in all of Bordeaux), the wine is 77% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon. Wealthy in tannic construction with notes of black currants and blackberries, the wine was wealthy and flavorful.

Côtes de Bordeaux is ready for us! Search for a bottle or two in your favourite wine store, pop the cork and share your ideas within the feedback.

Cheers! ~ Cindy

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