The wine region Bourg and Blaye, or Blayais-Bourgeais, as the French call this part in north-east Bordeaux, is actually two wine areas with rather the same weather conditions, soil and wine styles.
Many may not even have heard of this wine area as it is not often referred to by critics or the media and certainly not as famous all round as for instance Provence or Bourgogne. Quite strange really. Although no Grand Cru wines are produced here, but you will find some fantastic and price worthy wines.
Over the past few decades, the wines have varied in quality and structure, but with modern technology in winemaking, low yields, crops that ripen later and cold fermentations, the winemakers in Bourg and Blaye produce excellent wines.
The appellation was created in 1920 and is one of the oldest in Bordeaux.
In Bourg and Blaye there are 3 appellations:
- Blaye AOC
- Blaye-Côtes-de-Bordeaux AOC
- Côtes-de-Bourg AOC
The vineyards in the appellation AOC Côtes de Bourg extend over 3,850 hectares and here mainly red wines are produced of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.
Blaye AOC covers a variety of red wines made of Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet, Franc Malbec, Petit Verdot and Merlot.
In Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux AOC both red and dry white wines are produced, The red wines are made primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Carménère, Petit Verdot and Merlot and also dry white wines by Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon and the dry wine wines of Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.
This area of Bordeaux has a well-drained soil consisting mainly of clay, sandstone and alluvial. Together with the great variety of grapes, this guarantees good, quality wines. However, even Bourg and Blaye were unfortunately hit by hailstorms last year that caused havoc for hundreds of vineyards and thousands of hectares of vines in France.
Wineries to visit in Bourg en Blaye
Chateau de Côts – red organic certified wines!
Just some 30 km from Bordeaux, in Bayon-sur-Gironde, the Bergon family has settled in the rural area around the Château de Côts. They have lived here since 1930 and the vineyards today run by their son Remi.
For the last 15 years this has been an organic vineyard and the wines are certified and adhere to the regulations of the French eco-organization FNIVAB. Once red wines are produced here, 80,000 bottles of Cuvée tradition and 10,000 bottles of Cuvée prestige. The grapes primarily Merlot, but also Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, all grown on a soil of limestone and clay.
- Appellation: AOC Côtes de Bourg
- Activity: Wine tasting at Château de Côts
- Price: 8 €
The history of this beautiful estate started in 1876. The estate locates in the Bordeaux wine region. The estate stretches on a land of 45 hectares. You can take a guided tour of the estate if you want to know more about their wines. You can visit their vast cellars and enjoy the delicious wines. If you love to explore and collect different wines, you must plan your next trip to this estate. The guide in the estate speaks French and English. Then, there is a tour of the cellars. You will get to see the stages of producing world-class wines. You can taste several wines there. If you savour the flavour, you can also buy the wine at the property. The winery welcomes guests in both groups and individuals.
- Appellation: AOC Côtes de Bourg
- Activities: Wine tasting at Château Haut Guiraud
