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 a decree dated July 31, 1937. Its strategic location on the banks of the Loire River has earned it international recognition through maritime exports. A land that inspires writers, 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. Cabernet Franc is virtually the only grape variety grown here; Cabernet Sauvignon is permitted only up to 10% of the total vineyard area. Yields are strictly monitored by an independent body, and there is a very real risk that over-yielding plots will be downgraded. Delicate and pleasant or structured and powerful: two distinct styles of Bourgueil that showcase 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, 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 River and has also enabled the construction 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 an unobstructed view of the Loire; Atlantic influences traveling up the valley are distinctly felt here. The south-facing hillside and the forest-covered plateau shield the terraces from northern winds. The area enjoys a mild and temperate microclimate. Domaine Yannick Amirault, Domaine de la Butte, and Domaine de La Chevalerie produce 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 in 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 geological characteristics of the Loire’s tributaries result in wines renowned for their suppleness and refined elegance.

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

Bourgueil, a red wine from the Loire Valley, is best enjoyed within the first few months after bottling. It offers a rich palette of fruity flavors and a color that ranges from velvety ruby to a very intense garnet-red. The nose reveals notes of red and black fruits, which lend Bourgueil its full complexity. For those who prefer denser aromas and flavors more deeply rooted in the terroir, cellaring the wine for a few years will yield a more intense Bourgueil. In fact, some grand cru wines 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 in the Bourgueil AOC is red, a few winemakers offer Bourgueil rosé. It is easy to drink, dry, and aromatic—very pleasant in the summer.

True to its roots, Bourgueil red wine from the Loire pairs perfectly with the bounty of the Loire. Pairing a glass of Bourgueil red wine with some Loire fish freshly grilled over an open flame is a wonderful way to discover this nect of the vineyards.

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 Doux Olivet.