Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil

The Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil appellation covers 1,000 hectares and produces 56,000 hectoliters annually, 2% of which is rosé. Most of the area is situated on a broad terrace of ancient alluvial deposits, whose deep soils consist of sand and gravel. Above the terraces, one-third of the vineyard extends across a tuffeau hillside (Turonian chalk) covered with sand. The Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil vineyard opens widely onto the Loire River, which, at this point—where it converges with the Vienne—reaches exceptional width and allows maritime influences to penetrate deeply. The climate is therefore slightly more oceanic than in Bourgueil, with the same forested hillside protecting the well-exposed slopes from northern winds. 

The grape varieties authorized for the production of the Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wine are Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The latter is permitted up to 10% of the blend, but it is rarely used. Gravel-based wines reach maturity quickly, while tuffeau-based wines come into their own after 5 to 10 years of aging. Some truly exceptional wines are produced by the Yannick Amirault Estate, the Cotelleraie Estate or the Château de la Chevalerie. From theBourgeuil AOC, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil wine is the only one produced in the municipality, with 1,000 hectares of vineyards. It is theLoire Valley AOP that blends seamlessly with the landscape of the town of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil. Located between Angers and Tours, this vineyard produces a unique grape variety for wine, as the vines thrive even in this delicate soil composition.

Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wine, a product of Touraine

The appellation Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil was founded in 1937 and is one of the few communal names in France. The Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil red wine It remains the only grape variety in the Loire Valley to be considered the "king" of grapes. The fruity flavor that characterizes each bottle lends it a true aromatic finesse. 

However, this wine should not be confused with its neighbor, Bourgueil, which has an appellation where many different grape varieties are grown. The Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Award is also quite different from a simple Bourgeuil wine.

Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Wine: Three Different Terroirs

What makes this wine unique is the number of terroirs that go into it. In fact, three different terroirs shape the wines of a single appellation. A few soils with distinct geological characteristics give this wine its true identity. 

The first vineyard spans 700 hectares and consists of sandy-gravel soil. The wines from the vines planted on this land are particularly smooth on the palate and exhibit aromas of red fruits. 

As for the second vineyard, it covers an area of 300 hectares on the hillside. The soil is clay-limestone, as the site was once home to tuffeau quarries. The remains of these quarries now serve as cellars for the Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines. The wines from this vineyard are quite complex, with a full-bodied, garnet-purple color and a highly aromatic profile. On the palate, notes of blackcurrant, licorice, blackberry, and spices come through, while remaining intense and powerful. The final terroir consists of 100 hectares of loamy soil. Also known as “La Taille,” this terroir produces a fruity wine with an intense color that is fresh and supple.