LATITUDE
LONGITUDE
Welcome to the French Entre-Deux-Mers appellation in Bordeaux, where approximately 9 million bottles of wine are produced annually! Renowned for its refreshing white wines, this region provides great value across its selection, featuring crisp Sauvignon Blanc and a variety of newer red wines made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec (Cot), and Petit Verdot.
The name means "between two seas," though the region actually sits between two rivers: the Garonne and Dordogne. These rivers establish ideal conditions for grape cultivation. Although white wines crafted from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle have made this region renowned, they have recently begun producing red wines as well, offering wine enthusiasts a wider variety.
Wine has been made here since the Middle Ages when Benedictine monks first planted grapevines. Their early work started a tradition that continues today. Over the years, winemakers have kept up with changing tastes while staying true to what makes their wines special.
Entre-Deux-Mers spans across 132 communes, featuring beautiful rolling hills and valleys. The soil here is a mix of clay, limestone, gravel, and sand, all of which help create distinctive wines. It is situated next to other well-known wine regions like Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux and Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux, making it part of this larger winemaking family.
The vineyards grow at different heights, from 10 to 100 meters above sea level. The nearby rivers help keep temperatures steady and provide just the right amount of rain throughout the growing season – a natural climate control system.
This soil developed from years of alluvial deposits combined with clay, limestone, and gravel. This blend is ideal for grape cultivation, as it retains moisture when necessary while facilitating the drainage of surplus water, which helps maintain vine health.
The elevated vineyards offer cooler temperatures, which are ideal for white grapes such as Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. These conditions enhance the grapes' natural flavours and freshness. In certain areas, a unique and beneficial mold known as botrytis cinerea can thrive, contributing to the production of exquisite sweet wines.
Like many wine regions, Entre-Deux-Mers is affected by climate change. These changes can affect when grapes ripen and how healthy the vineyards remain, making winemaking more challenging.
While not as famous as some other areas within the Bordeaux region, Entre-Deux-Mers has found its own path to success. The region focuses on making great wines at fair prices and trying new approaches to winemaking.
Winemakers here are moving toward more organic farming and sustainable practices to protect the environment. They're also trying new winemaking techniques to make better wines and handle climate challenges, showing they can respect tradition while looking to the future.
Vineyard Hectares
WINERIES
GROWING DEGREE DAYS
The area covers 10,000 hectares, with 7,000 used for vineyards. Here, you'll find a mix of farmland, woods, and villages. This perfect setting helps grow the region's favourite grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle.
The Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream create ideal conditions for grape cultivation in Entre-Deux-Mers. With mild winters and warm summers, the region enjoys approximately 240 days of sun each year, which promotes healthy grape growth. Annual rainfall ranges from 800 to 1,000 millimetres, which also supports vine health.
Like any agricultural area, Entre-Deux-Mers faces weather-related obstacles. Young vines can suffer from winter frosts, and summer hailstorms may pose additional risks. Nevertheless, despite these challenges, the local climate remains conducive to producing the exceptional wines for which this region is renowned.
The best time to visit is between May and October when the weather is perfect for exploring vineyards and being outdoors.
From May to August, the vineyards are bright green and beautiful. But if you want to see winemaking in action, come during harvest time in September and October. You can watch grapes being picked and turned into wine, and many wineries have special events and tastings where you can learn how wines are made.
Although this region produces both red and white wines, the focus is still on white Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle blends. Together, they create wines full of citrus flavours, floral aromas, and tropical fruit notes. Wine enthusiasts around the world enjoy these refreshing blends.
What makes these exceptional wines so special is their terroir. The mix of clay, limestone, and gravel in the soil helps the vines grow strong, while the Garonne and Dordogne rivers help keep the climate just right. This contributes to creating fine wines that taste fresh now and can get even better with age, especially those with more Sauvignon Blanc.
The towns of Langoiran, Cadillac, and Saint-Macaire welcome wine tourists with open arms. These pretty villages sit among rolling hills covered in vineyards, with beautiful rivers nearby, making the views even better.
Visiting wineries here lets you see how the wines are made, from vineyard to bottle. Many offer tours and tastings of their best wines. The yearly Fête du Vin is particularly special - it's a fun celebration featuring local wines, food, and entertainment.
These wines taste great with many foods:
You can stay in different places here, from cozy bed-and-breakfasts to fancy vineyard hotels. Many places offer special wine activities, making it easy to learn more about local wines during your stay.
The predominant grape varieties in the Entre Deux Mers vineyards are Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle. The region's unique soil and climate amplify the flavours of each variety, leading to wines that truly capture the area's essence.
Though white grapes dominate, the Entre-Deux-Mers region also produces red varieties. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot are cultivated here under the broader Bordeaux AOC designation. These red grapes introduce diversity to the region's offerings, even if they aren't the source of its fame.
Although this region produces both red and white wines, the focus is still on white Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle blends. Together, they create wines full of citrus flavours, floral aromas, and tropical fruit notes. Wine enthusiasts around the world enjoy these refreshing blends.
What makes these exceptional wines so special is their terroir. The mix of clay, limestone, and gravel in the soil helps the vines grow strong, while the Garonne and Dordogne rivers help keep the climate just right. This contributes to creating fine wines that taste fresh now and can get even better with age, especially those with more Sauvignon Blanc.
The towns of Langoiran, Cadillac, and Saint-Macaire welcome wine tourists with open arms. These pretty villages sit among rolling hills covered in vineyards, with beautiful rivers nearby, making the views even better.
Visiting wineries here lets you see how the wines are made, from vineyard to bottle. Many offer tours and tastings of their best wines. The yearly Fête du Vin is particularly special - it's a fun celebration featuring local wines, food, and entertainment.
These wines taste great with many foods:
You can stay in different places here, from cozy bed-and-breakfasts to fancy vineyard hotels. Many places offer special wine activities, making it easy to learn more about local wines during your stay.
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