Saint-Emilion
Saint-Émilion is one of Bordeaux’s most prestigious and historic wine regions, located on the right bank of the Dordogne River, about 35 km east of Bordeaux city. It is part of the Libournais subregion and is particularly renowned for its Merlot-based red wines, often blended with Cabernet Franc and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Here’s a concise summary:
🗺️ Location & Geography
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Centered around the medieval town of Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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The vineyards cover about 5,500 hectares.
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The landscape includes a mix of limestone plateaus, clay-limestone slopes, and gravelly plains, giving rise to diverse terroirs and wine styles.
🌱 Grape Varieties
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Merlot dominates (≈60–70%), providing richness and roundness.
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Cabernet Franc (≈25–35%) adds structure, perfume, and freshness.
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Cabernet Sauvignon plays a minor but important role in some blends.
🍷 Wine Style
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Generally full-bodied, velvety, and fruit-forward when young, with the ability to age gracefully for decades.
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Common tasting notes: plum, black cherry, chocolate, truffle, and spice.
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Wines from limestone soils tend to be more elegant and mineral, while those from clay soils are richer and more powerful.
🏰 Classification
Saint-Émilion has its own classification system, separate from the 1855 Médoc one.
It is revised approximately every 10 years (most recently in 2022), and includes:
Below these sits the broader Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOC, which requires stricter production standards than the base Saint-Émilion AOC.
🍇 Notable Châteaux
🕰️ History & Heritage
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Winemaking dates back to Roman times.
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The town of Saint-Émilion is named after a monk, Émilion, who settled there in the 8th century and helped develop viticulture.
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The region’s long monastic tradition and limestone caves contribute to its unique character and historical charm.
