Côtes de Bordeaux. 

What is the Côtes de Bordeaux?

The Côtes de Bordeaux region is comprised of five appellations; Blaye, Cadillac, Castillion, Francs and Sainte-Foy. The creation of the umbrella term occurred in 2009 and it was started to simplify the more complication outer areas of Bordeaux. It was originally just four areas but in 2016 Sainte-Foy joined the group.

The joining of these areas has created a dynamic larger area where great value for money can be found. The total production is around 10% of the entire winemaking in Bordeaux. This makes it the 4th largest AOC in France.

 The wines under the term can be produced in any of the single areas or be blended between the appellations. If the term ‘Côtes de Bordeaux’ is used followed by a suffuix the the grapes can only come from that defined area. For example, ‘Côtes de Bordeaux Blaye’ the grapes can only be grown in Blaye.

Where is the Côtes de Bordeaux?

The five areas of the Côtes de Bordeaux are located throughout Bordeaux. Blaye is one of the more northerly appellations on the right bank. Cotes de Castillion and Francs are located east of St-Émilion and Pomerol and Sainte-Foy and Cadillac are in the Entre-Deux-Mers.

The Styles of Wine.

The styles of wine reflect the original appellation. The rules of each Blaye, Cadillac, Castillion, Francs or Sainte-Foy determine the style of wine that is produced. Therefore, red, white and sweet wine can all be made under the Côtes de Bordeaux name assuming it is allowed in the original area. The majority of wine is red.

In the more general ‘Côtes de Bordeaux’ only red wine is allowed to be produced.

The Grape Varieties.

The typical Bordeaux varieties are permitted throughout the Côtes de Bordeaux. For red it is Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon dominated along with Cabernet Franc. Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carménère can also be used but additions are quite rare. White and sweet wines are mainly produced from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillion and a touch of Muscadelle.

The appellations:

Côtes de Bordeaux Blaye.

Blaye is one of the more northerly appellations in Bordeaux. It is located on the right bank near where the Gironde divides into the Garonne and the Dordogne. Only red or white production is permitted.  Premiéres Côtes de Blaye is also produced here for reds Merlot dominates and it is Sauvignon Blanc for whites. Yields are lower and the wines must all be tasted by an official body before they are given the title of Premiéres. 

Côtes de Bordeaux Cadillac

The majority of wine production in Cadillac is white and sweet. Therefore, it is only the red wines that are bottled under Côtes de Bordeaux Cadillac.

Côtes de Bordeaux Castillion

This area is located to the east of St-Émilion. It is a red wine area with wines produced from Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The clay soil is quite heavy so the wines can struggle to ripen fully in poor years.

Côtes de Bordeaux Francs

Here red, white and sweet wines can all be produced under the Côtes de Bordeaux Francs label. It is a small area comprising of only three villages; Francs, Tayac and Saint-Cibard. Red wine from dominates but a small amount of white and sweet wine is also produced.

Côtes de Bordeaux Sainte-Foy.

Only red wine can be produced under this title. The area is on the edge of the Garonne surroundig the pretty town of Sainte-Foy-La-Grande.