Côtes de Bourg

Côtes-de-Bourg wines come from the Bourg vineyards, located on the right bank of the Gironde estuary, about 35 km north of Bordeaux. The Côtes-de-Bourg appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) was granted in 1936 for reds and in 1945 for whites, and covers fifteen communes situated on the hillsides overlooking the Dordogne and Gironde rivers.

The river’s water mass moderates the very sunny microclimate of the hillsides. The soils are primarily clay-limestone. They rest on layers of porous stone that provide good natural drainage. The 4,000-hectare vineyard yields an annual production of nearly 200,000 hectoliters.

The grape varieties used for Côtes-de-Bourg wines are primarily Merlot, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Franc. These elegant wines truly shine when paired with white meats, game, and red meats. Côtes-de-Bourg wines boast an extremely deep color, ranging from purple to black. Elegantly full-bodied, they express aromas of stewed black berries, with hints of forest floor and spices. Aged in oak barrels, they are particularly well-suited for aging (5 to 10 years) and develop bouquets of subtle complexity, both powerful and refined, such as the wines of Château Martinat, Château des Jonqueyres, or Château Grand Maison.

Also known as Bourgeais or Bourg, the Côtes-de-Bourg is one of the oldest wine regions in Bordeaux. This Bordeaux appellation produces red and white wines renowned for their exceptional quality. The Bordeaux wine region is a historic wine-growing area renowned worldwide. As France’s leading wine-producing region in terms of volume, 5,983,000 hectoliters of wine from the 38 Appellations d’Origine Contrôlée (AOCs) are produced in this region each year.

According to historians, the region’s wine-growing tradition dates back to ancient times, when the Romans referred to it as “Vitis Biturica.” In 1936, Côtes-de-Bourg was granted AOC status, and in 1941, it received AOP (Protected Designation of Origin) status. It plays a significant role in both the local economy and on the international stage. This may be due to its strategic location near the Atlantic coast. It has established trade partnerships with Northern Europe and the United Kingdom. As a result, Côtes-de-Bourg has become a staple of the Bordeaux region.

Covering an area of over 117,000 hectares, this AOC boasts a wide variety of terroirs. At low altitudes, the vineyards of Côtes-de-Bourg rarely exceed 100 meters above sea level in the magnificent valleys and hillsides of the Dordogne. In addition to being sandy and gravelly, the soil is primarily clay-limestone. Thanks to the soil’s porosity, there is no standing water. This allows the soil to retain all the minerals essential for the vines.

In addition, the vineyards of Côtes-de-Bourg also benefit from ideal climatic conditions for healthy vine growth. Typical of the Aquitaine region, the climate here is temperate and distinctly oceanic. Each year, the vineyards enjoy an average of 240 days of sunshine.

Côtes-de-Bourg white wine is a blend of wines made from several grape varieties, including Colombard, Sauvignon, Muscadelle, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sauvignon Gris. With a pale yellow color and green highlights, these wines are typically dry and fruity. Known for their freshness, they are renowned as refined and modern wines. They are delicious as an aperitif. In addition to their notes of exotic fruits, certain vintages also offer incomparable fruity expressions.

For an excellent food-wine pairing, Côtes-de-Bourg, a fine white Bordeaux wine, is best enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 12°C with fish, white meats, fresh cheeses, and gizzard salads… It is also exquisite when served with fruit soufflés, tarts, ice cream, or sorbets…

Three words can describe Côtes-de-Bourg red wine: dark, robust, and age-worthy. Often garnet in color, this wine is tannic with typical Merlot aromas. Other aromas from Malbec, notably wildflowers, poppies, and saffron, add to the wine’s profile. Moreover, these elements lend it complexity and elegance—qualities highly prized by red wine enthusiasts. They may also reveal a deep ruby-red color, with purplish hues in younger vintages. Spicy notes from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon form a bold duo. Since Côtes-de-Bourg reds are blended wines, an exceptional quartet is created in the end.

It is best to age them for ten years in a cellar. However, you can enjoy them while they are still young. Thanks to their unique character, they are sure to delight lovers of fruity wines. To fully appreciate red Côtes-de-Bourg wines, it is recommended to serve them between 15 and 17°C. Pair them with red meat, hard cheeses, cold cuts, freshwater fish, game…