Puisseguin Saint-Emilion

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• The central geological substrate is a plateau of marine limestone bearing 'astéries' (star-shaped echinoderm fragments) of Tertiary Aquitanian origin, reaching an altitude of 100 metres.
• At the foot of the limestone plateau, the hillside reveals the molasse du 'fronsadais', a lacustrine formation of soft, fine-textured limestone.
• To the north and along an east–west fringe, a detrital system known as the 'Sables et graviers du Périgord' replaces this bedrock, with lenticular deposits of coarse sands or gravels interbedded with silty clays.
• Quarrying of the stone has left monolithic cellars used as wine stores, where a constant temperature of between 12 °C and 16 °C and suitable humidity levels favour the preservation of wines.
• The position in the north-east of the Gironde lends the oceanic climate certain continental nuances, with higher summer and autumn temperatures that promote grape ripeness.

• The vine was probably established in this region during the Gallo-Roman period, as evidenced by an aqueduct carved into the rock beneath the Château de Roques.
• The civil tribunal of Libourne restricted the name 'Saint-Émilion' on 24 November 1921 to the historic jurisdiction, before the Bordeaux Court of Appeal authorised the commune of Puisseguin in 1923 to associate it with its own name.

• The still red wines are powerful and round, with a deep colour and intense red-fruit aromas that develop a complex bouquet with ageing.
• Ageing in barrels, a commonly practised technique, can contribute toasted and vanilla nuances that enrich the aromatic range and the structure of the wines.

• The diversity of soils, combined with a mesoclimate favourable to viticulture, gives the wines their richness and complexity.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in France

Sources

• Product specification (BO Agri, PDF) — approved 27 juillet 2023 publié au JORF du 9 août 2023, JORF 9 août 2023
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — CIVB