LATITUDE
LONGITUDE
Welcome to one of Bordeaux's hidden treasures: the Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux AOC. While small in size, this French wine appellation in eastern Bordeaux offers an impressive range of wines. Each year, it produces about 7,000 hectoliters of red wine, 1,500 hectoliters of dry white wine, and smaller amounts of sweet and dessert wines. The unique terroir—the soil, climate, and landscape—gives each wine its own special taste.
Sainte-Foy, located just 40 minutes from Saint Emilion, is one of the smallest wine regions in Côtes de Bordeaux, covering only 350 hectares. This area distinguishes itself as winemakers combine traditional practices with modern techniques to produce unique wines. The primary grape varieties that define Bordeaux, including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc, each contribute to crafting wines that genuinely reflect the essence of this region.
Winemaking in this region dates back to Roman times. The medieval town of Sainte-Foy-La-Grande still stands today, showing just how deep wine runs in this region's history. After years of making excellent wines, the area received its official recognition in 2011 with the AOC label - a significant moment that confirmed the quality of these wines.
Sainte Foy, Bordeaux's hidden gem, is about 65 kilometres east of Bordeaux city and 41 km from Saint Émilion. It is located on the south bank of the Dordogne River. The region borders Bergerac and is part of the larger Côtes de Bordeaux family. The weather creates perfect growing conditions, mixing continental and maritime influences in just the right way.
The vineyards rest about 60 meters above sea level, creating different microclimates. This setup helps the grapes develop perfectly, keeping their flavours fresh and bright.
Beneath the vines lies clay-limestone interspersed with gravelly patches by the river. Winemakers prize this combination for its excellent drainage properties and the complexity it brings to their wines.
These conditions work especially well for Merlot grapes. The height and weather help maintain the grapes' natural acidity while allowing them to ripen fully, resulting in wines full of fruit flavours that retain their elegance.
Like wine regions everywhere, Sainte-Foy faces challenges caused by climate change. Winemakers work hard to protect their soil, manage water resources better, and adapt to unpredictable weather while maintaining the quality of their wine.
While competing with bigger wine regions in Bordeaux presents challenges, Sainte-Foy's unique character sets it apart. By collaborating and highlighting their distinctive qualities, local winemakers continue to find new ways to stand out in the market.
The future looks promising in Sainte-Foy. Many winemakers are embracing sustainable farming, exploring organic methods, and using new techniques to improve their wines. They're also reviving some traditional grape varieties that haven't been used in a while - a thoughtful approach that honours their history while appealing to modern wine enthusiasts.
Vineyard Hectares
WINERIES
GROWING DEGREE DAYS
Take a moment to discover the beautiful Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux AOC. Here, neat rows of grape vines cover the rolling hills while the Dordogne River flows peacefully through the countryside. This special place combines natural beauty with great winemaking, creating an experience you won't forget.
Let's talk about the special weather in Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux AOC, where two types of climate work perfectly together. The nearby Dordogne and Garonne Rivers, which form the Gironde Estuary, and the Atlantic Ocean help keep the temperature just right throughout the year. The sun shines for an amazing 240 days each year, giving the grapes exactly what they need to grow well. The rainfall falls just the right amount, and the soil lets water drain nicely—perfect conditions for growing wine grapes.
If you're thinking about visiting this lovely wine region, aim for May through October. During these months, the weather is warm and pleasant, usually between 20°C and 30°C (68°F to 86°F). This is also when you'll see the most activity in the vineyards, making it a great time to learn about how wine grapes are grown.
Let's explore the special wines of Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux AOC. This wine region produces wonderful reds, whites, and sweet wines that showcase the area's unique growing conditions. Whether you like full-bodied reds or crisp whites, there's a wine here that you'll enjoy.
Red Blends: The red blends are what this region does best. By mixing different grapes - mainly Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and sometimes a touch of Malbec or Petit Verdot- winemakers create wines with rich flavours. When you smell these wines, you'll notice sweet cherry and plum scents, along with hints of leather and earthy notes. Take a sip, and you'll find out that these elegant wines are smooth and full-bodied, with soft tannins and the right balance of fruity flavours and subtle complexity.
White Blends: The white wines here are truly refreshing. Made from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle, and the occasional addition of Sauvignon Gris, they smell of fresh citrus fruits, green apples, and light flowers. These wines taste crisp and lively, with enough richness from the Sémillon grape to make them satisfying. They're easy to enjoy and match well with many foods.
What makes these wines special? It's how they balance rich flavours with elegance. The mix of clay and limestone in the soil, along with the mild weather, helps create wines with strong flavours and pleasant aromas. Different areas within the region have slightly different weather, allowing winemakers to produce various styles of wine.
When visiting, make sure to see the vineyards around the old town of Sainte-Foy-La-Grande. The beautiful landscape and rich history make learning about local wine-making even more interesting.
Many wineries welcome visitors to tour their properties and taste their wines. You can learn how they make wine and often try local foods along with the wines, making for a memorable experience.
These wines pair amazingly with food:
Looking to stay in the area? You'll find lovely bed-and-breakfasts and small hotels near the vineyards. Many places offer special wine packages that include tastings and tours, helping you fully experience everything this beautiful region has to offer.
Welcome to a tour of the special grapes that grow in Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux AOC. This wine region cultivates both red and white grapes, each chosen carefully for how well it thrives in the local soil and weather. From Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to Sauvignon Blanc, each grape type contributes to the wines that showcase what makes this region special.
Smaller plantings of other red grape varieties, such as Petit Verdot, are also present, and they are occasionally incorporated into the regional blends.
Let's explore the special wines of Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux AOC. This wine region produces wonderful reds, whites, and sweet wines that showcase the area's unique growing conditions. Whether you like full-bodied reds or crisp whites, there's a wine here that you'll enjoy.
Red Blends: The red blends are what this region does best. By mixing different grapes - mainly Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and sometimes a touch of Malbec or Petit Verdot- winemakers create wines with rich flavours. When you smell these wines, you'll notice sweet cherry and plum scents, along with hints of leather and earthy notes. Take a sip, and you'll find out that these elegant wines are smooth and full-bodied, with soft tannins and the right balance of fruity flavours and subtle complexity.
White Blends: The white wines here are truly refreshing. Made from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle, and the occasional addition of Sauvignon Gris, they smell of fresh citrus fruits, green apples, and light flowers. These wines taste crisp and lively, with enough richness from the Sémillon grape to make them satisfying. They're easy to enjoy and match well with many foods.
What makes these wines special? It's how they balance rich flavours with elegance. The mix of clay and limestone in the soil, along with the mild weather, helps create wines with strong flavours and pleasant aromas. Different areas within the region have slightly different weather, allowing winemakers to produce various styles of wine.
When visiting, make sure to see the vineyards around the old town of Sainte-Foy-La-Grande. The beautiful landscape and rich history make learning about local wine-making even more interesting.
Many wineries welcome visitors to tour their properties and taste their wines. You can learn how they make wine and often try local foods along with the wines, making for a memorable experience.
These wines pair amazingly with food:
Looking to stay in the area? You'll find lovely bed-and-breakfasts and small hotels near the vineyards. Many places offer special wine packages that include tastings and tours, helping you fully experience everything this beautiful region has to offer.
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