Bourgueil

It was around the Abbey of Bourgueil, founded in 990, that the vineyard truly developed. 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 classified by decree on July 31, 1937. Its strategic location on the banks of the Loire River 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.

The annual production of Bourgueil wine is around 70,000 hectoliters, 2% of which is rosé. The almost exclusive grape variety is Cabernet Franc, with Cabernet Sauvignon only permitted up to a limit of 10% of the vineyard. Yields are strictly controlled by an independent body and there is a very real risk of downgrading for overloaded plots. Delicious and pleasant or structured and powerful: two personalities of Bourgueil to express its two great terroirs in your glass. Gravel wines mature quickly (2 to 4 years), while tuffeau wines only begin to express their complexity after 5 years of aging.

The Bourgueil appellation covers seven communes, spanning approximately 1,400 hectares on the right bank of the Loire River, west of Tours. Half of the vineyard is located on the hillside overlooking the Loire, where the soil consists of tuffeau (Turonian chalk), the famous stone used to build the walls of traditional houses along the banks of the Loire, but which has also enabled the creation of numerous wine cellars that are ideal for storing Bourgueil wines thanks to their extraordinary thermal properties. The other half is on terraces of sand and gravel (ancient alluvial deposits from the Loire). The slope is gentle and the landscape, with its many plots, resembles a mosaic. The Bourgueil vineyard enjoys a wide opening onto the Loire, and the Atlantic influences coming up the valley are clearly felt here. The south-facing hillside and the forest-covered plateau protect the terrace from north winds. The microclimate here is mild and temperate. Domaine Yannick Amirault, Domaine de la Butte, and Domaine de La Chevalerie offer wines that elegantly reflect the characteristics 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 specific geological characteristics of the Loire's tributaries produce wines renowned for their suppleness and refined elegance.

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

Bourgueil red wine from the Loire Valley is a wine that can be enjoyed within the first few months of bottling. It offers a rich palette of fruity flavors and a color that ranges from velvety ruby to a very intense garnet burgundy. The nose reveals aromas of red and black fruits, which give Bourgueil red wine its complexity. For those who prefer denser flavors and aromas more rooted in the terroir, aging in the cellar for a few years will allow you to enjoy a more intense Bourgueil wine. Some grands 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 in the Bourgueil AOC is red, a few winegrowers offer Bourgueil rosé wine. It is easy to drink, dry, and aromatic, making it very pleasant in summer.

True to its roots, Bourgueil red wine from the Loire Valley pairs perfectly with what the Loire has to offer. Pairing Bourgueil red wine with freshly grilled fish from the Loire is an amazing way to discover the nectar of the vines.

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.