Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux

This region spans 60km along the bank of the river with steep slopes with perfect slants for viticulture. Clay is widespread and clay limestone and clay gravel slopes are defining features in this region. The inclination means that variation in a relatively smaller area is common place, often with coarser elements such as gravel and rocks being found higher up on slopes while lower down silt and clays are prevalent.

The region is famous for producing almost black wines with powerful, distinctive aromas of red and black berries. These Merlot blends have firm tannic structure and offer a refreshing, fruity palate. However, the sun drenched and altogether hotter southerly part is known for its sweet white wines. Here the steep clay limestone soils are drenched in sunlight and allowed to ripen late. Further, a cycle of dry sunny days and humid nights mean that the use of ‘noble rot’ is prevalent in some vineyards (as in the Sauternes).

Soils: Limestone, gravels and clay (often stratified down steep inclines)
Size: 3,300 hectares
Output: 24,000,000 bottles
Type of wine produced: Vibrant and strong red wines and smaller quantities of dry/sweet whites.
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenere for reds. Semillion, Sauvignon and Muscadelle for whites.