Bordeaux

This appellation is named after the city of the same name (also sometimes called Blayais), it is located in the Bordeaux wine-growing region, on the right bank of the Gironde delta, opposite the Medoc, which lies to the west. It has a total vineyard area of around 6.000 hectares, to the south of Blaye lies the Bourg appellation (with similar wines). Viticulture here dates back to Roman times. The area is famous for the Par-Non-Pair cave with ist prehistoric cave paintings, which are considered to be as important as those of Lascaux (in south-western France). The soils are mainly limestone with clay as well as clay with gravel. The sub-soil consists of sandstone with a high iron content. This used to be mainly a white wine producing region, which was used as a base wine for the production of cognac until the beginning of the 20th century. This tradition was revived recently, with the production of a brandy called „Fine de Bordeaux“. Today, two thirds of production is of red wines, with one third of mostly aromatic white wines. The permitted red varieties are Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot, and in parts also the indigenous varieties Béguignol and Prolongeau. The white varieties are Folle Blanche (permitted until 1997), Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Merlot Blanc (also permitted until 1997), Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Ugni Blanc. The appellation system is slightly confusing. The AC Blaye or Blayais applies to more basic red and white wines, and is falling into disuse. The AC Premières Côtes de Blaye applies only to red wines (the best in the area) with a slightly higher alcohol content, and only classical grape varieties may be used. The AC Côtes de Blaye applies to (also more basic) white wines. Well-known producers include Château Bertinerie, Château Bourdieu, Château Charron, Château Lacaussade St-Martin, Château Les Bertrands, Château L´Escadre, Château Maine-Gazin, Château Peyredoule and Château Segonzac.