Côtes de Bordeaux
🇫🇷 France
AOCBordeaux's youngest AOC - five historic hillside appellations unified in 2009 as the gateway to serious Bordeaux at approachable prices
Region profile
History
In 1985, five Côtes appellation presidents founded the Association des Côtes de Bordeaux. On July 22, 2009, INAO officially recognized the unified Côtes de Bordeaux AOC. Sainte-Foy joined in 2016.
- Climate
- Varied hillside terroirs across five sub-zones: Blaye, Castillon, Francs, Cadillac, Sainte-Foy; predominantly clay-limestone; 11,000+ hectares with 1,000+ growers
- Signature wines
- Domaine de l'A (Castillon) - Stéphane Derenoncourt's personal estate, crowdfunded in 1999 from 200 friends, 12ha on clay-limestone bordering Saint-Émilion, biodynamic practices. $30-45/bottle.
- What sets it apart
- Where Bordeaux's most celebrated consultant (Derenoncourt) chose to make his own wine - via crowdfunding. The youngest AOC (2009) as the accessible gateway to serious Bordeaux.
Facts
- The 2009 merger created France's 4th largest AOC, producing 10% of all Bordeaux wine. Famous Saint-Émilion proprietors have invested: Gérard Perse (Pavie), Stephan von Neipperg (Canon-la-Gaffelière).