LATITUDE
LONGITUDE
Welcome to Bordeaux Supérieur AOC, a place where winemakers create some of France's most respected wines! This special wine region, on the base of the Bordeaux wine official classification, shows us what Bordeaux does best - making wines that reflect the land they come from. In 2022, the Bordeaux wine region made 411 million litres of wine, with Bordeaux Supérieur AOC creating about 60 million bottles of red wine each year. That's a big chunk of Bordeaux's wine production!
Think of Bordeaux Supérieur AOC as the sweet spot of Bordeaux wines. It's a step up from basic Bordeaux AOC but more approachable than the very expensive ones. Here, they mainly blend two grape types: Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. They follow strict rules about growing grapes and making wine, which helps maintain high quality in every bottle.
Wine has been made here since Roman times, and the region has grown wiser with each passing century. In 1948, something important happened: Bordeaux Supérieur AOC received its official designation, marking it as better than regular Bordeaux wine. This helped these wines stand out and made more people want to try them.
Bordeaux Supérieur AOC is in a prime spot surrounded by famous wine areas. To the east, you'll find Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, and to the west, Médoc. The vineyards grow in many different microclimates and soil types, making the growing conditions very special. The nearby Garonne River helps keep temperatures just right for the vines.
The vineyards here are close to sea level, mostly around 30 meters high. The maritime climate is great for growing grapes—winters don't get too cold, summers are pleasantly warm, and it rains regularly throughout the year. These conditions help produce consistently good wines.
The soil here is like a mixture of different ingredients that each add something special to the wine. You'll find gravel, clay, limestone, and sand. Each type of soil helps the grapes grow differently, which is why the wines produced here can taste so interesting.
Because the land is fairly flat and close to the ocean, grapes can take their time ripening, which is exactly what they need. While the rainfall helps the vines grow strong, it can sometimes cause problems that farmers need to watch out for. But the main grape types - Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon - really love growing here.
Like many farming regions, Bordeaux Supérieur AOC is dealing with climate change. Sometimes, it rains too much or too little, and temperatures can swing unexpectedly. But the winemakers are smart—they're finding new ways to protect their vines and keep making great wine.
Making and selling wine isn't always easy, and Bordeaux Supérieur producers face their share of challenges. But there's room to grow, especially by focusing on making premium-quality wines that people are willing to pay more for because they know they're getting something special.
The future looks bright here, with many winemakers turning to earth-friendly farming methods. More and more of them are growing grapes organically, without harmful chemicals. They're also using new techniques to make better wine while taking care of the environment. These changes show that Bordeaux Supérieur AOC is ready for whatever comes next in the wine world.
Vineyard Hectares
WINERIES
GROWING DEGREE DAYS
Let's take a trip across Bordeaux Supérieur AOC, where about 5,800 hectares of beautiful vineyards spread out like a huge garden. Think of the soil here as nature's special recipe—it mixes different ingredients like gravel, clay, sand, and limestone. Each type of soil helps different kinds of grapes grow their best. Most of the vineyards sit on the Right Bank of the Gironde River, where the nearby ocean helps keep the maritime climate just right for growing grapes all year round.
Let's explore what makes the climate in Bordeaux Supérieur AOC unique. Its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean bestows a maritime climate that remains relatively mild. Imagine ideal conditions for grape cultivation—not too hot, not too cold, just perfect. The grapes can mature leisurely, allowing them to develop rich flavours and aromas while maintaining their fresh acidity. Winters are mild enough to forgo heavy coats, summers feel like a gentle embrace, and during the growing season, temperatures hover pleasantly around 17°C to 18°C—akin to a delightful spring day.
However, circumstances are evolving. Climate change continues to drive unpredictability, with warmer temperatures and irregular rainfall patterns. Grape growers find this challenging, yet they are adapting wisely. They are experimenting with innovative methods to nurture their vines and exploring various grape varieties that may better withstand these changes. It's akin to learning to dance to a new rhythm while still retaining the effective old steps.
If you're wondering when to plan your trip, here's the inside scoop: Try to come during harvest season, from late September to mid-October. This is when all the exciting stuff happens! You can watch people picking grapes (maybe even help if you want), attend tastings, and take vineyard tours. The weather is usually really nice—not too hot anymore—and the grapevines turn beautiful autumn colours, like nature's own art show.
But here's another good time to visit: springtime, from April to June. This is when everything's waking up and getting green again. There's a feeling of fresh starts in the air. Many wineries have special events where you can try their newest vintages, and it's fun to see how last year's grapes turned out.
Both times of the year have their own special feel—harvest is exciting and busy, while spring is fresh and full of promise. It's like choosing between two different but equally good adventures. You get to see either the end of the grape-growing story (during harvest) or its beginning (in spring). Plus, there's always good wine to taste, friendly people to meet, and beautiful places to see, no matter when you visit.
The Bordeaux Supérieur AOC wines are truly special. They offer something for everyone, from rich red blends to fresh white wines. What makes them so unique is the exceptional mix of terroir and winemaking that gives these wines their wonderful flavours.
These wines are special because they follow stricter rules than regular Bordeaux wines. They use older grapevines, grow fewer grapes per vine to strengthen the flavours, have more alcohol, and must age in oak barrels for at least a year. For this reason, Bordeaux Supérieur wines usually taste richer and more complex than most wines made from other appellations.
These fine wines must meet certain rules to get the Bordeaux Supérieur AOC label. They can only use specific grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Carmenère. They grow fewer grapes than regular Bordeaux wines, and the wine must age for at least nine months before it can be sold.
The region has many beautiful places to visit, especially north of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. Places like Fronsac and Côtes de Bordeaux are must-sees, with their beautiful vineyards and old châteaux waiting to be explored.
Wine lovers will find plenty to do here. You can see how wine is made, taste different wines, and even join in harvest festivals. Many wineries open their doors throughout the year for special events and tastings.
These wines go wonderfully with food. The red blends are perfect with hearty dishes like coq au vin (chicken cooked in wine) or beef bourguignon (beef stew). The white wines work beautifully with seafood or chicken dishes, especially ones with creamy sauces.
If you're looking to stay in wine country, there are plenty of options. You can choose from upscale hotels or charming bed-and-breakfasts located right by the vineyards. Many establishments offer exclusive wine packages that include tastings and tours, enhancing your experience. This is an excellent opportunity to fully enjoy all that the region's wines have to offer.
Let's explore the wonderful grapes that make Bordeaux Supérieur AOC wines so special. For red wines, they use Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenère, Malbec (some people call it Cot), and Petit Verdot. When it comes to white wines, they work with Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, and Ugni Blanc. Each of these grapes needs specific weather and soil conditions to grow their best.
The Bordeaux Supérieur AOC wines are truly special. They offer something for everyone, from rich red blends to fresh white wines. What makes them so unique is the exceptional mix of terroir and winemaking that gives these wines their wonderful flavours.
These wines are special because they follow stricter rules than regular Bordeaux wines. They use older grapevines, grow fewer grapes per vine to strengthen the flavours, have more alcohol, and must age in oak barrels for at least a year. For this reason, Bordeaux Supérieur wines usually taste richer and more complex than most wines made from other appellations.
These fine wines must meet certain rules to get the Bordeaux Supérieur AOC label. They can only use specific grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Carmenère. They grow fewer grapes than regular Bordeaux wines, and the wine must age for at least nine months before it can be sold.
The region has many beautiful places to visit, especially north of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. Places like Fronsac and Côtes de Bordeaux are must-sees, with their beautiful vineyards and old châteaux waiting to be explored.
Wine lovers will find plenty to do here. You can see how wine is made, taste different wines, and even join in harvest festivals. Many wineries open their doors throughout the year for special events and tastings.
These wines go wonderfully with food. The red blends are perfect with hearty dishes like coq au vin (chicken cooked in wine) or beef bourguignon (beef stew). The white wines work beautifully with seafood or chicken dishes, especially ones with creamy sauces.
If you're looking to stay in wine country, there are plenty of options. You can choose from upscale hotels or charming bed-and-breakfasts located right by the vineyards. Many establishments offer exclusive wine packages that include tastings and tours, enhancing your experience. This is an excellent opportunity to fully enjoy all that the region's wines have to offer.
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