A.O.C./A.O.P.
the Bourgueil area is spread over a 15 kilometre strip of land running perpendicular to the Loire, in Touraine. Eight villages are entitled to the appellation (Bourgueil, Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil, Benais, Chouzé-sur-Loire, Ingrandes de Touraine, La Chapelle sur Loire, Restigné and Saint-Patrice). Historically, the wines were highly regarded by Louis XI, Rabelais and Ronsard. The area can be divided into three zones: the banks of the Loire, where stony patches provide suitable plots for vines, then a terrace which provides the focal point for the area, and finally the chalk plateau (‘tuffeau’) through which a tributary of the Loire – the Changeon – meanders.
Grape varieties: Vins rouges : cabernet franc, cabernet-sauvignon
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Bourgueil produces mainly red wines from Cabernet Franc (Cabernet Sauvignon content is restricted to a maximum 10%). The different ‘terroirs’ are reflected in the wine styles. Gravely soils produce elegant, vigorous, delicate, supple, fruity wines. Conversely, chalk type soils yield well-structured, robust, tannic wines, which can be hard or firm when young. Bourgueil smells sweetly of violet, bell pepper, spices, raspberry and red currant and often exhibits gamey, earthy tones. Recommended food pairings include beef with morel mushrooms, stew, jugged hare, roast red meats…
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07 Sep 2026
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