Bordeaux Wine Information

Bordeaux is probably the most well-know

wine region in France. Bordeaux counts for
one third of the good quality french wine
(AOC, crus bourgeois, crus classés).

The wines are so good there that a

Bordeaux ranking is needed to classify the
best of the best. Some of them are
universal: Margaux, Yquem, Pétrus, Cheval
Blanc, Haut Brion and all the others.
Bordeaux has about 7,000 chateaux !

The most basic information on the wine of

Bordeaux are:

Location: In the south west of France, near the Atlantic coast,

around the city of Bordeaux
Size: 10 725 km2 (size of the Gironde department)
Gironde - where Bordeaux is - is the biggest department in France

Size of the 120,000 hectares (300,000 acres)

vineyards:
Grapes in
Bordeaux: Merlot (50% of Bordeaux wines)
Cabernet-Sauvignon (26%)
Cabernet-Franc (10%)
Sémillon (8%)
Sauvignon (4%)
Production: 850 million bottles
25% of all AOC in France

Type of Wine:
Full-body red wine (pomerol)
Medium-body red wine (bordeaux aoc)
Dry white wine (entre deux mers)
Sweet white wine (barsac and sauternes)
Bordeaux Oysters
Wine and Pauillac Lamb
food: Duck with mushrooms

Médoc

The Médoc is situated north of the town of Bordeaux, on the left

bank of the Gironde. Médoc is divided in two parts, the Haut-
Médoc in the south, near the town, and the north part traditionally
called Médoc.Wines from Médoc are red. They are delicate,
medium colored, they are fine and elegant; often tannic when
young, harmonious and splendid when matured.Grands crus classés
in Médoc count for 25% of the vineyards, 20% of the production
and about 50% of the sales. However none sells under the Médoc
appellation but Haut-Médoc, Pauillac, Margaux, Saint Julien, Saint-
Estèphe and Chateau Haut-Brion in Pessac Léognan.

Médoc wine information:

Appellation Médoc Controlée

Appellation:
140 Crus Bourgeois
North of Médoc wine area, between Blanquefort and
Location:
Saint Seurin de Cadourne

Places: Blanquefort, Bégadan, Saint Christoly de Médoc, etc

Gravels
Soil:
Clayey-limestone

Size: 4,900 ha (12,000 acres)

Vineyards: About 650 vine growers

40 million bottles
Production: No white wine
Most important red wine producing area

Grapes in Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc,

Médoc: Malbec, Petit Verdot

Type of wine: Fruity full-body red wine

Age: 5 to 10 years

Vintages: 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995

(recommended)

Oak
Aromas: Red fruits
Spices
Vanilla

Red meat
Food: Roasted beef
Ham
Rabbit in mustard sauce
Médoc Wine
and Cheese: Beaufort
 Emmental
Ossau-Iraty
Roquefort
Saint Nectaire

Haut-Médoc

Haut-Médoc is actually south of the the Médoc region. 5 Grands

Crus Classés (Great Growths) are based in Haut-Médoc. All the
others are in the adjacent and smaller in size appellations: Pauillac,
Margaux, Saint Julien, Saint Estèphe. Haut-Médoc - such as in
Médoc - is a land of red wine. They are generous, not too powerful
red wines with a delicate bouquet of vanilla and black fruits.

Haut-Médoc wine information:

Appellation Haut-Médoc Controlée

Appellation:
5 Grands Crus Classés in Haut-Médoc
Many Crus Bourgeois

Location: South of Médoc

Saint Laurent du Médoc, Avensan, Macau, Saint Seurin de
Places: Cadourne, etc

Gravels, clay
Soil:
Clayey-limestone

Size: 4,270 ha (10,500 acres)

Vineyards: About 400 vine growers.

Production: 36 million bottles

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit

Grapes:
Verdot, Malbec

Type of wine: Medium to full-body red wine

Age: 5 to 10 years and more

Vintages: 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995

(recommended)

Aromas:
Dried cherry
Berry fruits
Barnyard
 Vanilla
Veal
Food: Poultry
Rabbit

Cheese:
Cantal
Fourme d'Ambert
Saint Nectaire

Margaux

Margaux lays on a soil of white graves - a special kind of gravel

brought from the mountains by the river. Margaux (also a female
name in France) is the quintessence of the terroir and of the
winemaker's work. That is probably the reason why the best
châteaux produce also the best wines!In Margaux, Château
Margaux produces the most delicate wine of the Médoc. They are 18
Grands Crus Classés (great growths) in Margaux.Margaux wines
have a full-flavored bouquet and a magnificent elegance.

Margaux wine information:

18 Grands Crus Classés Appellation Margaux

Appellation:
Controlée

Location: On the plateau overlooking the Gironde estuary

Places: Margaux, Arsac, Cantenac, Labarde and Soussans

Soil: White graves (gravels)

Size: 1,300 ha (3,200 acres)

Vineyards: 80 chateaux and domaines

Production: 9.5 million bottles

Grapes in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit

Margaux: Verdot

Type of wine: Medium to full-body red wine

Delicate bouquet

Age: 5 to 25 years
 Vintages: 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995, 1990, 1989, 1986, 1982
(recommended)

Red fruits
Toast
Aromas:
Coffee
Truffle
Roasted duck
Margaux
Game
Wine and
Partridge and feathered game
Food:
Spare ribs
Margaux
Wine and
Saint Nectaire
Cheese:
Edam
Gouda

Saint-Estèphe

Saint-Estèphe is a true "terroir" wine. The influence of the soil,

gravels as usual and more clays than in Médoc, can be experienced
when tasting a Saint-Estèphe wine. Although Pauillac is just close-
by, Saint-Estèphe wines are different.Saint-Estèphe wines are
very colored, earthy, firm, robust and tannic. They reach their
maturity slower than other Médoc wines.Saint-Estèphe hosts 5
Grands Crus Classés (great growths) such as Château Montrose and
Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe wine information:

5 Grands Crus Classés

Appellation:
Appellation Saint-Estèphe Controlée
About 50 crus bourgeois

Location: North part of Médoc, close to Pauillac

Places: Saint-Estèphe

Gravel
Soil:
Clay
Sand

Size: 1,200 ha (3,000 acres)

Vineyards: 155 vine growers

 Production: 9 million bottles

Grapes in
Saint- Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit
Verdot, Carmenère, Malbec
Estèphe:

Type of wine: Tannic full-body red wine

Age: 5 to 30 years and even more !

Vintages: 2003, 2000, 1996, 1995, 1990, 1986, 1983, 1970

(recommended)

Black currant
Aromas: Red fruits
Toast
Red meat
Food:
Game
Saint-
Estèphe
Wine and Saint Nectaire
Cheese: Edam
Gouda

Pauillac

Pauillac is maybe the best appellation of Bordeaux with three

premiers grands crus classés (1st great growth) out of 5. Pauillac
has 18 grands crus classés in total! The great châteaux of Pauillac
are Château Lafite, Château Latour and Château Mouton-
Rothschild.Pauillac wines generally have a lot of body, tannic and
acid when they are young; they have an opulent bouquet with
aromas of blackcurrant and cedar when they age.

Pauillac wine information:

18 grands crus classés

Appellation:
Appellation Pauillac Controlée
Between Gironde river and Canal du Midi in the
Location: Médoc
On the way to Saint Estèphe

Places: Pauillac, etc

Soil: Gravels and sands

Size: 1,100 ha (2,700 acres)

 Vineyards: 115 vine growers

Production:
8.5 million bottles
Grapes in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit
Pauillac: Verdot

Type of wine: Full-body

strong bouquet
red wine

Age: 10 to 25 years

Vintages: 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995, 1990, 1989, 1986, 1982

(recommended)

Black currant
Aromas:
Cedar

Pauillac Red meat

Wine and Red meat game
Food: Foie gras
Mushroom dishes
Pauillac
Wine and
Saint Nectaire
Cheese:
Edam
Gouda

Saint-Julien

Just a little bit less powerful than Pauillac and rustic than Saint-
Estèphe, Saint-Julien wines are very aromatized. They are
harmonious and well balanced red wines. Saint-Julien is the right
balance between Pauillac and Margaux.Saint-Julien has 11 Grands
Crus Classés (great growths). The quality is so good in Saint-Julien,
that second wines from those châteaux are very attractive.

Saint Julien wine information:

11 Grands Crus Classés

Appellation: Appellation Saint Julien Controlée
Crus Bourgeois

Location: At the center of Haut-Médoc

Places: Saint Julien Beychevelle

Soil: Gravels
 Size: 900 ha (2,200 acres)

Vineyards: 26 vineyards

Production: 6.5 million bottles

Grapes in
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Saint Julien:

Type of wine: Powerful red wine

Age: 10 to 15 years

Vintages: 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995, 1990, 1989

(recommended)

Black currant
Aromas: Cocoa
Cedar box

Lamb
Food: Game
Ham
Rabbit in mustard sauce
Cheese:
Edam
Gouda

Listrac

Listrac is more distant from a river and from the ocean than any
other Bordeaux appellations. At the beginning of the last century,
Listrac was one of the largest appellation in Médoc. The traditional
link between Listrac and Moulis should not prevail. Actually, the
wine is closer to Saint-Estèphe. Listrac produces vigorous and
tannic red wines.

Listrac wine information:

Appellation: Appellation Listrac Controlée

22 crus bourgeois in Listrac

Location: In the Médoc, North of Moulis

Places: Listrac-Médoc
 Limestone
Soil:
Clayey-limestone

Size: 700 ha

Vineyards: 90 domains and chateaux

Production: 5 million bottles

Grapes in
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Listrac:

Type of wine: Tannic medium-body red wine

Age: up to 10 years

Vintages: 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995

(recommended)

Black currant
Aromas: Woody
Licorice

Roasted duck
Food:
Rumsteak, Tournedos
Spare ribs
Listrac and
Cheese: Saint Nectaire
Edam
Gouda

Moulis

Moulis name is coming from "moulin" (french word for windmill).

Indeed nowadays, three ancient mills are still viewable in Moulis.
Moulis produces a velvety red wine, less tannic than Listrac. Moulis
is ready to drink sooner than other Médoc wines.

Moulis wine information:

Appellation: Appellation Moulis Controlée

Crus Bourgeois

Location: Closer to the Atlantic, in the west part of Haut-Médoc

Places: Moulis en Médoc

Soil: Gravels
 Clayey-limestone

Size: 550 ha (1,300 acres)

Vineyards: 42 properties

Production: 4.2 million bottles

Grapes in
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Moulis:

Type of wine: Velvety red wine

Age: 3 to 8 years and more

Vintages: 2003, 2000, 1998

(recommended)

Black currant
Red fruits
Aromas:
Violet
Licorice

Food: Roasted guinea fowl

Feathered game

Moulis Wine
Camembert
and Cheese:
Saint Nectaire
Edam
Gouda

Graves

The area of Graves gets its name from the soil. Graves are a mix of
gravels, clay and sand carried out by the river. Graves appellation is
located just outside the town of Bordeaux. The red wines of Graves
are recognizable by their garnet-red color, rich, attractive and more
robust than the other Médoc wines. Two third of Graves wines are
white. Among the best white wines in Bordeaux, they are generally
fresh, fruity and dry (some time half-dry). The appellation of
"Graves supérieurs" is strictly reserved to sweet white wines.

Graves wine information:

Grands Crus Classés Graves

Appellation: Appellation Graves Controlée
Appellation Graves Supérieur Contrôlée: sweet white wine only
Location: South of Bordeaux

Places: Illats, Mazères, Portets, etc

Soil: Graves: gravels, clay and sand from the mountains carried out
by the river

Size: 3,000 ha (7,400 acres)

75% red - 25% white

Production: 22 million bottles

Red: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Grapes in
Graves: White: Sémillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle

Robust medium to full-body red wine

Type of wine: Elegant dry white wine
Also a sweet white wine

Red: 6 to 20 years
Age:
White: 3 to 12 years

Vintages: Red: 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995, 1990, 1989, 1986,

(recommended) 1985
White: 2003, 2001, 1999, 1996, 1995
Red:
Red fruits
Cinnamon
Black currant
Aromas:
White:
Flowery (lime-flower)
Passion fruits
Apricot
Red:
Roasted pork
Medallion of veal
Food: Roasted duck

White:
Lobster
Red:
Cheese and Beaufort
Graves Roquefort
wines:
White:
Cantal
Crottin de Chavignol
 Roquefort
Valencay

Pessac Léognan

The famous "clairets" wine was made first in Pessac Léognan.

Pessac Léognan was detached from the Graves appellation. North
of the Graves, Pessac Léognan tends to get closer and closer to
Médoc. The terroir in Pessac Léognan is quite exclusive. Red wines
from Pessac Léognan have a powerful bouquet. They are among
the best in Bordeaux. You will find Haut-Brion in Pessac Léognan.
White wines are well-structured and can age in a cellar. After 5
years they begin to express rich aromas.

Pessac Léognan wine information:

8 Grands Crus Classés Graves

Appellation:
Appellation Pessac-Léognan Controlée

Location: North of Graves

Places: Pessac, Léognan, Grézillac, Mérignac, Talence

Soil: Gravels

Size: 1,350 ha (3,300 acres)

Production: 9 million bottles

Red:Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Grapes:
White: Sémillon, Sauvignon

Supple red wine

Type of wine: Powerful bouquet
Medium to full body white wine
Red: 6 to 20 years
Age:
White: 5 to 15 years

Vintages: Red: 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995, 1990, 1988, 1985

(recommended) White: 2001, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1990
Aromas: Red:
Red fruits
Ripen fruits
Cocoa

White:
 Orange pills
Boxwood
Passion fruits
Red wine:
Roast lamb
Food and
Poultry
Pessac
Léognan:
White wine:
Fish
Red wine:
Beaufort
Cheese and
Pessac
White wine:
Léognan:
Cantal
Crottin de Chavignol
Roquefort
Valencay
Sauternes

Sauternes is famous for sweet wines such as Yquem, Raymond-

Lafon and Rieussec. They are among the best dessert wines in the
world. Sauternes is made with noble rot (also called botrytis, a
moisture covering the grape), Because soils are so diverse, and
each house has its own way of making the golden wine, Sauternes
is a very personalized wine. Sauternes are often delicious, golden,
unctuous and delicate. The famous roasted note comes when
Sauternes is a little bit older. Sauternes has its own ranking shared
with Barsac.

Sauternes wine information:

Crus Classés de Sauternes

Appellation:
Appellation Sauternes Controlée

Location: 50 km south east of Bordeaux

Places: Sauternes, Barsac, Bommes, Fargues de Langon, Preignac

Gravels
Soil:
Clayey-limestone
Limestone

Size: 1,800 ha (4,500 acres)

Production: 4.5 million bottles

 Sauvignon
Grapes: Sémillon
Muscadelle

Type of wine: Powerful delicate sweet white wine

The King of sweet wines!

Age: 5 to 35 years
sometimes more than 100 years

Vintages: 2003, 2001, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1986, 1983, 1981,

(recommended) 1976
Honey
Aromas: Dried pineapple
Nuts
Foie Gras
Food and Asparagus
Sauternes: Lobster
Trout

Cheese and
Bleu d'Auvergne
Sauternes:
Fourme d'Ambert
Livarot
Roquefort
Barsac

In the southern part of the Bordeaux region, Barsac is famous for

outstanding sweet wines such Chateau Climens and Chateau
Coutet. Barsac is among the best dessert wines in the world. In
Barsac, wine growers have the choice to market their wine under
the Barsac AOC or Sauternes AOC. It means that all Barsac wines
could also be Sauternes wines while Sauternes wines cannot wear
Barsac on their label. Barsac is maybe a little bit less liquorous and
more fruity than Sauternes.

Barsac wine information:

Appellation: Crus Classés de Sauternes

Appellation Barsac Controlée
or Appellation Sauternes Controlée

50 km (31 miles) south-east of Bordeaux, along the left

Location:
bank of the Garonne river

Places: Barsac
 Gravels, red sand
Soil:
Clayey-limestone

Size: 830 ha (2,050 acres)

Production: 1.8 million bottles

Sauvignon
Grapes: Sémillon
Muscadelle

Type of wine: Powerful fruity sweet white wine

Age: more than 50 years

Vintages: 2003, 2001, 1997, 1995, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1983,

(recommended) 1976, 1961
Honey
Aromas: Dried fig
Acacia
Foie Gras
Barsac and Asparagus
Food: Lobster
Trout

Barsac and
Bleu d'Auvergne
Cheese:
Fourme d'Ambert
Livarot
Roquefort

Premières Côtes de Bordeaux

(First Côtes of Bordeaux)

Overlooking the Garonne river, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux

starts South of Bordeaux city to Cadillac. Premières Côtes de
Bordeaux is more and more a red wine appellation although all kind
of wines are produced there. The best dry white wine are sold under
the Bordeaux AOC label. The best sweet wine under the Cadillac
appellation. The red wines of Premières Côtes de Bordeaux are
colorful and strong. Some of them are excellent.

Premières Côtes de Bordeaux information:

Name: Appellation Premières Côtes de Bordeaux Controlée

Right bank of Garonne, from Saint Maixant and Cadillac to the
Location: city of Bordeaux
 Capian, Saint Maixant, Rions, Haux, Quinsac, Langoiran,
Places: Cambes, etc

Limestone
Soil:
Gravels
Clay

Size: 3,300 ha (8,150 acres)

85% red - 15% white

Production: 24 million bottles

Grapes: Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, Petit

Verdot, Malbec, Carmenère

White: Sémillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle

Type of wine:
Colorful and strong red wine
Also dry white wine, sweet white wine, clairet, and even
sparkling wine

Age: 3 to 7 years
(red wine)

Vintages: 2003, 2000

(recommended)

Red fruits
Aromas: Black fruits
Spices
Red meat
Food:
Beefsteak
Cheese:
White:
Cheddar

Bordeaux AOC
(Bordeaux Appellation Origine Controlée)

The Bordeaux AOC appellation alone counts for about 25% of the
total AOC wine production in France. Bordeaux AOC wines are
coming from everywhere in the Bordeaux wine region. The
appellation roughly covers Gironde department. The quality of both
red and white wine depends very much on the wine maker talent
and on the quality of the grapes. It means that the quality varies
from very disappointing wines to excellent bargain chateaux.
The Bordeaux supérieur appellation grow on the same
soils. Red wines may have a higher quality and can age better.
Bordeaux AOC wine information:

Appellation Bordeaux Controlée

Name:
Appellation Bordeaux Supérieur Controlée

Location: Gironde department

Places: Too many to mention!

Soil: Various

Size: 59,000 ha (150,000 acres)

Production: Red: 400 million bottles

White: 75 million bottles
Grapes in Red wine: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and
Bordeaux: Malbec, Carmenère, Petit Verdot

White wine: Sauvignon, Sémillon, Muscadelle and Ugni blanc,

Colombard, Merlot blanc, Mauzac, Ondenc

Type of Well-balanced red wine to drink young

Bordeaux Nervous and fruity dry white wine
AOC wines: Fresh and fruity rosé wine

Age: 2 to 5 years

Vintages: Red: 2003, 2000

(recommended) White: 2003, 2001, 2000

Red fruits
Aromas:
Vanilla
Grilled Bread
Red:
Red meat
Paté
Bordeaux
and Food:
White:
Onion tart
Mussels

Red:
Bordeaux
Emmental
and Cheese:
White:
Boursin
Roquefort
 Tomme de Savoie
Valencay
Entre-Deux-Mers
(between-two-seas)

Entre Deux Mers is not exactly between two seas but actually
between two rivers: Dordogne and Garonne. Entre-Deux-Mers
produce a very good dry white wine. Wine makers prefer to keep
their best grapes for Entre-Deux-Mers instead of Bordeaux AOC.
However because of the compact soil, this is not the best place to
grow vines in Bordeaux.

Entre-Deux-Mers wine information:

Name: Appellation Entre-Deux-Mers Controlée

Between 2 rivers (and not seas !): Dordogne and

Location:
Garonne

Places: Grézillac, Naujan, Soussac, etc

Compact sands
Soil: Silt
Clayey-limestone

Size: 2,400 ha (6,000 acres)

Production: 15 million bottles

Grapes:
Sauvignon and Sémillon, Muscadelle

Type of wine: Fresh and fruity dry white wine

Age: 1 to 3 years
Drink young
Vintage: 2003
(recommended)

Grapefruit
Aromas:
Litchi
Peach
Entre Deux
Mers and Oysters (recommended)
Food: Shellfish
 Asparagus
Avocado
Frog legs
Sole Meunière
Cheese:
Roquefort

Saint-Emilion

Saint-Emilion is the oldest wine area of the Bordeaux region. The UNESCO
organization recognized the great terroir of Saint Emilion and put the site on the
World Heritage List. Saint Emilion wines are considered the most robust of the
Bordeaux. They are generous, very colored, and reach their maturity quicker than
other red Bordeaux. The classification in St-Emilion is complex. Do not
confuse St.-Emilion-Grand-Cru and St.-Emilion-Grand-Cru-Classé
fewer and much better.

Saint Emilion wine information:

Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Appellation:
Appellation Saint Emilion Grand Cru Controlée
Appellation Saint Emilion Controlée

Location: Dordogne valley

Places: Saint Emilion and 8 villages around

Limestone
Soil:
Clayey-limestone
Gravels (in Cheval Blanc)

Size: 5,500 ha (13,600 acres)

Production: 36 million bottles

Only red wine

Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Franc

Type of wine: Full-body red wine

Best age for

Saint-Emilion AOC: 3 to 8 years
a Saint
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru: 5 to 12 years
Emilion Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé: 15 to 25 years and more
Wine:
Vintages: 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995, 1990, 1989, 1982
 (recommended)

Truffles
Aromas: Toasted bread
Cooked red fruits
Mushrooms
Bird game
Saint Emilion Salmon
and Food: Sauerkraut
Spare ribs
Roasted lamb

Saint Emilion Cantal

and Cheese: Comté
Ossau-Iraty
Reblochon
Tomme de Savoie

Côtes de Castillon

This recent appellation is rising. Côtes de Castillon gives an

excellent price/quality ratio as new wine makers are settling down
to make among the most interesting wines in the Bordeaux region
today. All wines from Côtes de Castillon may also carry the regional
appellations of "Bordeaux" or "Bordeaux supérieur".

Côtes de Castillon wine information:

Appellation: Appellation Côtes de Castillon Controlée

(since 1989)

Location: Right bank of the Dordogne river

St Magne de Castillon, Castillon la Batille and 7 other

Places:
villages
Sandy gravels and clay
Soil:
Clayey-limestone

Size: 2,900 ha (7,500 acres)

Vineyards: Most of the domains are less than 10 ha (25 acres)

Production: 22 million bottles

No white wine

Grapes in Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec

Côtes de
 Castillon:

Type of wine: Red wine

Age: 2 to 5 years

Vintages: 2003, 2000

(recommended)

Strawberry
Aromas:
Dried plum
Vanilla

Côtes de Grilled red meat

Castillon and Spare ribs
Food: Turkey
Leg of lamb
Côtes de
Castillon and
Cantal
Cheese:
Salers
Tomme de Savoie

Côtes de Francs

Close to Saint Emilion and Côtes de Castillon, Côtes de Francs is

one of the highest vineyard in Bordeaux. Côtes de Francs takes
advantage of the lowest rain in the area and a soil rich in clay and
limestone. Côtes de Francs is a full-flavored red wine.

Côtes de Francs wine information:

Appellation: Appellation Côtes de Francs Controlée

Location: 10km east of St Emilion

On one of the highest point in Bordeaux

Places: Francs, Saint Cibard, Tayac

Soil: Clayey-limestone

Size: 490 ha (1,200 acres)

Production: 3.6 million bottles

Almost 100% red wine

Grapes in Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc,

 Côtes de
Malbec, Petit Verdot
Francs:

Type of wine: Full flavored red wine

Age: 4 to 8 years

Vintages: 2003, 2000, 1998

(recommended)

Aromas: Black currant

Licorice

Food: Red meat

Cheese:
Cantal
Salers

Pomerol

With 800 ha (less than 2,000 acres) Pomerol is the smallest wine
producing area in the Bordeaux region. Actually, Pomerol is more a
community where the vineyards are family-shared. A ranking is not
warmly welcome. You will not find typical huge Bordeaux chateaux
as in the Médoc area. However Pomerol hosts one of the most
famous of all: Pétrus. The Pomerol wine can be more robust than
others in Bordeaux. They have an exclusive velvety quality. Pomerol
is at its very best when the bottle reaches the age of 15!

Pomerol wine information:

Appellation: Appellation Pomerol Controlée

no ranking in Pomerol!

Location: Along the Isle river

Places: Pomerol, Libourne, etc

Soil: Very diverse from gravels to clay (in Pétrus)

Size: 800 ha
less than 2,000 acres

Production: 5.3 million bottles

Strictly reserved to red wine

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and

Grapes:
Malbec
Type of wine: Full-body red wine
 Strong bouquet

Age: More than 10 years and up to 20 years

15 years is the optimum for a Pomerol

Vintages: 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995, 1990, 1989, 1985

(recommended)

Well-ripen red fruits

Aromas: Licorice
Dried fruits

Game
Pomerol
Partridge
Wine and
Veal
Food:
Roasted turkey
Pears in wine

Pomerol Cantal
Wine and Comté
Cheese: Maroilles
Ossau-Iraty
Saint-Nectaire
Langres

Fronsac

Fronsac wine region is a lovely area of hills along the Dordogne

and l'Isle rivers, west of Saint Émilion. Until the 19th centuries,
Fronsac wine was one of the most popular in the region. Merlot is
the most important grape giving to the wine body and richness
although the wine keeps a strong personality.

Fronsac wine information:

Appellation Fronsac Controlée

Appellation: Appellation Canon-Fronsac Controlée (from Fronsac and Saint
Michel de Fronsac villages only)

Location: Hills along Dordogne and l'Isle rivers

Places: Fronsac, St Michel de Fronsac, Saillans, etc

Soil: Clay / Limestone

Size: 1,200 ha (3,000 acres)

Production: 6 million bottles

Canon-Fronsac: 2 million bottles
 Grapes in Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Fronsac: Malbec,

Type of wine: Strong red wine

Powerful bouquet

Age: 2 to10 years

Vintages: 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995

(recommended)

Woody
Aromas:
Red fruits
Vanilla
Grilled red meat
Fronsac Feathered game
Wine and Rabbit in mustard sauce
Food: White meat
Pears with wine

Fronsac Cantal
Wine and Comté
Cheese: Maroilles
Reblochon
Saint-Nectaire
Langres

Côtes de Bourg

Côtes de Bourg is located on the right bank of the Dordogne at the

point where it meets the Gironde river. South of Blaye, the small
appellation around the village of Bourg produces a better medium-
body red wine than its neighbor. The wine from Côtes de Bourg is
quite tannic with strong aromas of red fruits.

Côtes de Bourg wine information:

Appellation: Appellation Côtes de Bourg Controlée

Location: 30 Km (19 miles) north of Bordeaux, where Gironde and

Dordogne meet

Places: Bourg sur Gironde, Lansac, Tauriac, Teuillac, etc.

Soil: Clayey-limestone

Size: 3,700 ha (9,000 acres)

Production: 31 million bottles

Grapes in
Côtes de Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec
Bourg:

Type of wine: Medium-body tannic red wine

Limited production of dry white wine

Age: 2 to 5 years

Vintages: 2003, 2000

(recommended)

Aromas: Red fruits

Grilled red meat

Food:
Veal, Turkey
Sausage, Paté
Côtes de
Bourg and Comté
Cheese: Laguiole
Morbier
Reblochon