Côtes de Bourg, Bourg et Bourgeais
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Varieties of interest
Terroir
Natural factors
- Microclimate warmer and drier than the Bordeaux average: +1 to 2 °C, +10% sunshine, −10 to 25% less rainfall.
- Subsoil derived from the Paleogene (molasses du Fronsadais, calcaires à Astéries) and the Pliocene (clay-gravel deposits from the Massif central). (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
- A zone of 15 communes in the canton of Bourg (Gironde), divided into 3 units: limestone escarpment, central hillside slopes, and the paléo-delta de Pugnac.
Human factors
- Viticultural heritage established as early as the 2nd century AD: Vitis biturica, ancestor of the 'cabernet' varieties, was planted here under Roman influence.
- AOC recognised in 1936 for red wines, extended to whites in 1941; Bourg was already classifying its crus from the mid-18th century onward.
Product characteristics
- Dry whites: fresh, highly aromatic, with citrus and floral notes; best enjoyed in their youth (1 to 2 years).
- Generous, structured, tannic reds with good ageing potential; oak-barrel ageing is permitted, yielding toasty and vanilla notes.
Terroir / wine link
- Clay-limestone soils particularly well suited to Merlot N, the overwhelmingly dominant variety planted within the delimited parcel area. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.