The wine appellation of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil

St. Nicolas de Bourgueil

A little village close to Bourgueil producing wonderful red and rosé wines with a world-wide reputation.

The vineyards of St. Nicolas de Bourgueil

Location: This appellation, within the larger Bourgueil AOC, closely follows the contours of the village of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil. The vineyard is within the confines of Touraine and Anjou, on the western edge of Bourgueil, on the upper terrace of the right bank of the Loire.

Surface Area: 1,050 hectares / 2,595 acres

Soil: The area consists mostly of a wide terrace of old silt deposits, with deep soil made of sand and gravel. Above the terraces, a third of the vineyard stretches across a Turonian chalk limestone hillside covered with sand.

Climate: The vineyard is largely exposed to the Loire, which, in this area, becomes extremely wide where it meets the Vienne. This allows oceanic influences to be clearly felt. Slopes are covered in woodlands that protect from the north wind.

Wines of AOC St. Nicolas de Bourgueil

Annual Production: Approximately 59,000 hl / 1,320,860 gallons, including 2% rosé

Grape Varieties: Almost exclusively Cabernet Franc for both red and rosé; up to 10% Cabernet Sauvignon permitted in blend but rarely used.

Tasting notes

Red Appearance: Bright garnet Nose: Intense aromas of cherry, strawberry, violet, and berries with spice and leather as the wine matures Flavors: Wines range from supple and bright to dense and meaty. All are fresh and well balanced with medium-to-full body.