Fronsac

Two centuries ago, Fronsac was considered among France’s best wine producing regions; however, with the rise of St. Emilion and later Pomerol, the wines of Fronsac fell into a sharp decline. Whilst at the end of the 1800s these wines could command huge prices, by the 1950s the price was scarcely above that of a Bordeaux Superieur. Standards became sloppy and wine was unceremoniously sold in bulk to negociants.

Counter-intuitive though it may seem, it was the devastating frost of 1956 that proved to be Fronsac’s deliverance. Fronsac was among the least affected appellations, thanks to its elevated position, and soon an organised effort to return to old standards was underway.

Today, Fronsac produces wines with personality, distinction and definition—and at prices well below of the ‘classic’ areas of Bordeaux (Haut-Medoc, Pessac-Leognan, Saint-Emilion and Pomerol). The wines are unashamedly fruity, but rest assured that they have enough structure to provide a textured, complex experience. These wines, though cheaper than their classic counterparts, can easily rival them. Experimentation is a key feature too, with small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon sometimes being admitted into the blend—resulting in a keen, fresh acidity. Of all the areas of Bordeaux, this is easily one of the most dynamic and exciting as – slowly but surely – Fronsac recaptures its former glory.

So, where is Fronsac exactly? The appellation lies to the west of Pomerol, across the River L’Isle, a tributary of the Dordogne, which it joins at Libourne. On this limestone bluff, the Tertre de Fronsac, and on the land behind it, descending gradually towards the village of Galgon, are the Fronsac vineyards. 1200 years ago, the Emperor Charlemagne established a fortress to control the surrounding area and to provide a deterrent for pirates who would dare to sail down the Libournais. The site was known as Fransiacus, where the name ‘Fronsac’ is derived.

Soils: Clay-limestone
Size: 1,200 hectares
Output: 6,000,000 bottles
Type of wine produced: Strong red wine.
Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec