Saint-Émilion

Perched on one of the many hills that form the Bordeaux wine-growing area, the Saint-Émilion appellation needs no introduction. Its wine-producing territory was the first in the world to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With many renowned vineyards and exceptional wines, Saint-Émilion is the main wine town in the Libournais district of Bordeaux.

Discover wine tastings and tours in Saint-Émilion to taste these brilliant wines.

Where is Saint-Émilion located?

Romantic and hilly, famous for its beautiful villages and wines, the Saint-Emilion appellation is part of the Libournais region of Bordeaux. The town lies just a few miles north of the Dordogne, in the final stages of the river's journey from the hills of the Massif Central to the Gironde estuary.

Where to Stay in Saint-Émilion?

A charming boutique hotel with a distinctive ambiance and personality is soulfully rooted in the wine world.

In the heart of the ancient town, the Auberge de la Commanderie provides a panoramic view of Saint-Emilion’s monuments and vineyards.

Enjoy a stay in Saint-Émilion region surrounded by its most famous wine-producing châteaux. A perfect stay for gourmet wine lovers.

A restored 18th-century manor, situated amidst Saint-Émilion vineyards, elegantly refurbished preserving the property's historical heritage.

Discover more exclusive accommodation options in the heart of Saint-Émilion.

History of Saint-Émilion Wine Appellation

The origins of Saint-Émilion date back to 56 B.C, the period from which the oldest amphorae of wine have been found. The history of local winemaking started when the forest of Cumbis was cleared to plant the first vines.

Later in 97 A.D, the Roman Emperor Nerva decreed that the best way to ensure the success of the empire’s wines was to eliminate competition in its colonies. This decree precluded further expansion in Saint-Émilion until the end of the 3rd century when the order was reversed.

The history of the classification goes back to 1884 when the first wine-producers union was founded in Saint-Émilion. This encouraged solidarity between winemakers and promoted the region's wines. Since 1955, this classification has been updated five times in 1969, 1985, 1996, 2006, and 2012 - making it more progressive and modern than the Bordeaux Classification of 1885 (though every update tends to stir up a lot of emotion in the Saint-Émilion wine-making community).

The 2012 Saint-Emilion classification covers 82 wine estates and ranks them in three categoriest: Premier Grand Cru Classé A, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, and Grand Crus Classés. The wineries are judged based on their global reputation, a blind tasting of their previous 10-20 vintages, terroir, and winemaking practices.

Subregions of Saint-Émilion

While the leading Saint-Émilion wines are labeled under Saint-Émilion, four other AOCs also use it in their name. These AOCs were given classification in 1936 and are known as the "Saint-Émilion satellites".

Lussac-Saint-Émilion is the subregion of Saint-Émilion that mostly produces Merlot-based wine. The appellation resembles Saint-Émilion in many ways, and their wines are often very similar. They lack the flawless structure and balance a little bit but provide the same style.

Montagne-Saint-Émilion produces medium-bodied wines with solid textures and good flavors. The main grape here is also Merlot, which is a fruity and dark blue-colored wine grape. The two main estates here are Beausejour and Faizeau.

Puisseguin-Saint-Émilion is smaller than the Lussac and Montagne regions. However, it provides ageable and high-quality wines. Of all the satellite appellations, Puisseguin-Saint-Émilion has the strictest laws regarding the production of wine.

Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion is the smallest of the satellites. This subregion produces soft and less intense wines that are approachable at any date after bottling. However, wines from this satellite can also age well.

Terroir of Saint-Émilion

The terroir of the Saint-Émilion is diverse with its soils ranging from limestone plateaus to sandy slopes. The elevation in this appellation varies from 3 meters in the flats up to 100 meters on the plateau. Overall, we can divide the appellation of Saint-Émilion into 3 distinct terroirs, the limestone plateau, the slopes, and the flats.

• The Limestone Plateau: the area of Saint-Émilion is known for its clay and limestone, which facilitate the growth of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The best part of the terroir is the plateau with limestone, clay, gravel, sand, and iron deposits. In fact, the majority of the best Saint-Émilion wine comes from the estates located on the plateau.

• The Slopes: The terroir of Saint-Émilion is famous for its high hills that consist of sandy and clay soils. The hilly region in the Saint-Émilion area of Bordeaux is part of the high-quality terroir producing complex, dense wines. This kind of sandy soil helps the grape ripen faster and wines become more delicate and aromatic.

• The Flats: This part of the terroir is located at the bottom of the slopes. The soil is rich in clay-producing wines that are silky and round with an elegant structure.

Although Bordeaux has a common maritime climate between Saint-Émilion and the communes of the Médoc and Pessac-Léognan, they still have some differences. The Dordogne river which is located far from the ocean, is the nearest one to Saint-Émilion, meaning that the maritime climate is less influential here, the seasonal variation between summer and winter tends to be a bit wider.

Check out the full list of wineries in Saint- Émilion with an open cellar door and great wine experiences.

Characteristics of Saint-Émilion Wines

Because of the large territory, diverse terroir, and pleasant climate, Saint-Émilion produces the widest range of wines among Bordeaux appellations. When you walk château to château, it is easy to notice the difference. For example, you can come across producers with a modern style of winemaking while right next door someone uses more traditional approaches.

One of the important factors in shaping the characteristics of the wine is the type of terroir. Wine from the sandy soils in Saint-Émilion is lighter, offering more fruit flavors, while the wines from clay and limestone soils are often richer, and longer-lasting.

Depending on the level of limestone found in the terroir, the wines can also provide a strong sensation of minerality. Of course, the taste and texture vary from each vineyard and producer, as does the wine’s ability to age.

The dominant grapes that make Saint-Émilion wine are Merlot and Cabernet Franc. However, some producers also use Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot.

• Merlot: Merlot is a very popular grape in Saint-Émilion, which gives the wine approachability. Merlot-based wines have a luscious, sweet taste and a soft, gentle perfume. While some people say that Merlot is the main player in Saint-Émilion-based wines, others think that Cabernet Franc is the more powerful, and Merlot is better in Pomerol.

• Cabernet Franc: While Cabernet Franc is underestimated in other appellations, it is the most popular grape variety in Saint-Émilion. This grape is mostly used in a third to half of a blend and gives the wine outstanding age-ability. Also, wines from Cabernet Franc are more textured and complex but still soft and approachable.

• Cabernet Sauvignon: the clay and chalk-rich soils around Saint-Émilion are generally cooler than those on the Médoc, and are less capable of ripening Cabernet Sauvignon reliably. However, this grape variety is still used as a blending partner to provide structure to the wines.

Food to Pair with Saint-Émilion Wine

1. Confit de Canard

Confit de Canard is a French dish that is made of slow-roasting duck meat. The meat is cooked in its fat, which was once used as a method of preserving meat in times before refrigeration. However, today, this method helps to maintain the richness and flavors of a dish. The additional ingredients are salt, pepper, fresh herbs, thyme, garlic, bay leaves, and shallots.

Traditionally, this dish is cooked in a copper pot over a fire for up to 24 hours. After cooking, the meat and the fat are poured into jars and sealed tightly. Duck confit is so rich and savory that it is usually served on its own, without sauce. However, a glass of Saint-Émilion wine is always a good choice.

2. Beef Wellington

Coated with pâté and duxelles, Beef Wellington consists of a whole filet of beef. Traditionally, slices of beef in Wellington are accompanied by Madeira sauce. It is believed that the dish was named after Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo.

3. Comté

Comté is a big cheese made from unpasteurized cow's milk, with at least 45% fat and cooked paste. Each cheese is unique with numerous taste varieties that can range from milky, buttery, spicy, fruity, or plant-like. It is made in the Jura massif in the caves of Doubs, Jura, and Haute-Saône departments in France.

The maturation period lasts at least 120 days, and it is turned and scrubbed regularly during the process. Comté also has a seasonal stamp, like winter, summer, mountain Comté, or plains Comté. It also melts easily and is best paired with red wines.

Places to visit in Saint-Émilion

1. Monolithic church

The place worth seeing is the 12th-century Monolithic church in Saint-Émilion. It’s the largest Monolithic church in Europe and its construction required the extraction of stones.

During your trip, you will have the opportunity to visit other underground sites and learn more about the history of the city. Apart from the church itself, you will see the catacombs, where famous people used to be buried in the middle ages. 

While the church itself is well hidden in the rock, its bell tower is tall enough to be seen from every spot in the city. If you’re interested in architecture, the tower is a fascinating monument by itself, built in both Romanesque and gothic styles. You can even climb over the tower and see a magnificent view of Saint-Émilion.

2. The Collegiate church

The Collegiate church is a beautiful monument built between the 12th and 15th centuries, and you can visit it all by yourself, without taking a tour. Here again, you can see the mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles, reflecting the long period of its construction.

While the west door of the church is from Romanesque style, the north door is a Gothic one from the 14th century. This diversity of construction makes the church more interesting and beautiful. You will see other fascinating items such as graves, statues, and even a little dragon.

3. La tour du Roy

The 13th-century King’s Keep is one of the most famous military architecture monuments in Gironde. There’s still a debate between historians on who ordered its constructions, but one thing is sure, it’s a stunning monument. Also, it is a great spot to see the view of the vineyards of Saint Emilion.

Frequently Asked Questions about Saint-Émilion