Bourgueil

It was around Bourgueil Abbey, founded in 990, that the vineyard truly began to develop. The Breton grape variety Cabernet Franc made its appearance there in 1152, thanks to the political union of Anjou and Aquitaine. The Bourgueil appellation was officially recognized by decree on July 31, 1937. Its strategic location on the banks of the Loire has earned it international recognition through maritime exports. A land of writers who find inspiration there, Bourgueil wine has been praised by prestigious authors such as Balzac and Rabelais, who made it their favorite drink.

Annual wine production in Bourgueil is approximately 70,000 hectoliters, 2% of which is rosé. The almost exclusive grape variety is Cabernet Franc; Cabernet Sauvignon is permitted only up to 10% of the vineyard’s total planting. Yields are strictly monitored by an independent body, and the risk of over-yielding plots being downgraded is very real. Delicate and pleasant or structured and powerful: two distinct styles of Bourgueil that express its two great terroirs in your glass. Gravel-based wines reach maturity quickly (2 to 4 years), while tuffeau-based wines only begin to express their complexity after 5 years of aging.

The Bourgueil appellation spans seven municipalities, covering approximately 1,400 hectares on the right bank of the Loire River, west of Tours. Half of the vineyard is situated on the hillside overlooking the Loire, where the soils consist of tuffeau (Turonian chalk)—the famous stone that adorns the walls of traditional houses along the Loire and has also enabled the creation of numerous wine cellars, whose extraordinary thermal properties facilitate the aging of Bourgueil wines. The other half lies on terraces of sand and gravel (ancient alluvial deposits from the Loire). The slope is gentle, and the landscape, with its many small plots, resembles a mosaic. The Bourgueil vineyard benefits from a wide view of the Loire; the Atlantic influences moving up the valley are clearly felt here. The south-facing hillside and the forest-covered plateau protect the terrace from northern winds. The area enjoys a mild and temperate microclimate. Domaine Yannick Amirault, Domaine de la Butte, and Domaine de La Chevalerie offer wines that elegantly reflect the character of the Bourgueil terroir.

The Bourgueil AOC extends west of the city of Tours on the right bank of the river. The vineyards are located across seven neighboring communes: Restigné, Ingrandes-de-Touraine, Saint-Patrice, Benais, La Chapelle-sur-Loire, Chouzé-sur-Loire, and, of course, Bourgueil. The geographical location and unique geology of the Loire’s tributaries produce wines renowned for their suppleness and refined elegance.

Bourgueil wines are primarily made from the Cabernet Franc grape variety, sometimes with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Bourgueil red wine from the Loire Valley is a wine that can be enjoyed as early as a few months after bottling. It offers a rich array of fruity flavors and a color that ranges from a velvety ruby to a very intense garnet. The nose reveals notes of red and black fruits, which lend Bourgueil red wine its full complexity. For those who prefer denser aromas and flavors more deeply rooted in the terroir, aging the wine in the cellar for a few years will yield a more intense Bourgueil. In fact, some grand crus aged in Tuffeau cellars have been preserved for over a century without losing any of their grandeur—quite the contrary!

Although most of the wine produced under the Bourgueil AOC designation is red, a few winemakers offer Bourgueil rosé. It is easy-drinking, dry, and aromatic—perfect for summer.

True to its roots, Bourgueil red wine from the Loire Valley pairs perfectly with the region’s local offerings. Pairing a glass of Bourgueil red wine with some freshly grilled Loire fish is a wonderful way to discover this fine wine.

The highlight is a tasting of local cheeses paired with Bourgueil red wine. This is the most delicious way to enjoy a Crottin de Chavignol, a Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, or a mild Olivet.