Surrounding the historic bastide of Sainte-Foy-La-Grande, on hillsides along the Dordogne, men and women from all walks of life have a common passion for producing elegant wines with character, with pronounced aromas of red fruits and cherries. for the Sainte-Foy-Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation.
Its subsoil of gravel mixed with clays and limestones produces red wines, dry whites, mellow and syrupy, whose particular characters have always been praised, the aromatic intensity for the whites and the power of the reds, expressed in through an authentic "taste of the land".
A bit of history on the Sainte-Foy-Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation…
Traces of the existence of a vineyard on the slopes of Sainte-Foy-La-Grande date back to Antiquity.
The appearance of wine in the homeland was most likely under the impetus of the Romans.
At the same time as the Roman Conquest, the first Mediterranean merchants discovered the means of conveying wines thanks to river transport on the Dordogne.
At the beginning of the 24th century, with the recognition of appellations by the courts, this region was first attached to the appellation “Entre-deux-Mers”. It is only by the judgment of the Civil Court of the Gironde, dated May 1928, XNUMX, on the initiative of the wine growers of several communes of the region, that “Sainte-Foy Bordeaux” stands out as a full appellation for its red and white wines.
The AOC “Sainte-Foy Bordeaux” is recognized by the decree of July 31, 1937.
In November 2016, the ODG joined the Union des Côtes de Bordeaux and became “Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux” thus joining Blaye, Cadillac, Castillon and Francs).
A hint of geography ...
In the northeast of the Gironde department, bordered by the Dordogne, the Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux vineyard is located between Saint-Emilion and Monbazillac, at the gates of Périgord.
The emergence of a specific wine region around the town of Sainte-Foy-La-Grande is, in reality, the fruit of a slow awareness of the specificity of geographical and historical data defining a terroir and a production of quality.
The Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux appellation covers 19 municipalities, which have been recognized as having a particular terroir: Caplong, Eynesse, Gensac, Landerrouat, Les Lèves-et-Thoumeyragues, Ligueux, Margueron, Massugas, Pellegrue, Pessac-sur-Dordogne, Pineuilh, Riocaud, La Roquille, Saint-André-et-Appelles, Saint-Avit-de- Soulège, Saint-Avit-Saint-Nazaire, Saint-Philippe-du-Seignal, Saint-Quentin-de-Caplong and Sainte-Foy-La-Grande.
A pinch of terroir ...
The Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux appellation is set in a landscape of hills separated by valleys irrigated by rivers and streams.
The soils are very varied and overall have a high wine-growing ability: strong clay-limestone soils or soft sandy-gravelly fertile soils, often difficult to work, which in all southern regions are called boulbènes, which are based on gravelly subsoils in the valleys, clayey-gravelly or clay-limestone on the highest parts, which then reveal a typical Côtes character.
The climate is mild there and the mild microclimate induced by the presence of the Dordogne and numerous rivers bathe the entire vineyard, promoting remarkable ripening of the grapes.
Exceptional traditional grape varieties ...
The Reds: Merlot, Cabernet-franc, Cabernet-sauvignon, Malbec
The merlot: it is the most common grape variety in Bordeaux.
Its profile, supple and round, brings a lot of color and aromas of fleshy red fruits such as plum, fig and often toasted notes after a few years. Its secret: on cool and damp soils it will be able to express its full potential.
Cabernet-sauvignon: it is the traditional grape variety of the Bordeaux vineyard. Its profile: a late and optimal maturity thanks to the warmth of the gravelly soils of the left bank, it brings structure and vigorous tannins. Colorful and very aromatic, room for black fruits, blackcurrant, liquorice and mint. Its secret: its favorable tannins give it an aptitude for aging.
Cabernet-Franc: it is the complementary grape par excellence. Its profile, early maturity and elegant tannins. Moderately colored, it brings freshness and aromatic complexity with notes of raspberry and violet.
Its secret: its small berries produce wines rich in polyphenols whose aptitude for aging and finesse are appreciated.
Malbec or cot: originally from Quercy, he is the descendant of prunelard and black magdeleine from Charentes. It developed in Bordeaux from the XNUMXth century.
It brings color and mellowness during assembly and gives very fruity, colorful wines rich in tannins.
Merlot 
Cabernet Sauvignon 
Cabernet Franc 
Malbec or cot
The Whites: Sauvignon-blanc, Sauvignon-gris, Muscadelle, Sémillon
Sauvignon-blanc: in Bordeaux, it is the benchmark grape variety for dry whites.
Its profile: it brings to the wines the necessary acidity, minerality and aromatic freshness.
Its secret: its 3 notes which make its signature, citrus fruits, boxwood and fig leaves.
Sauvignon-gris: typical of Bordeaux, it results from the gray mutation of Sauvignon Blanc with a slightly pink color when ripe.
Powerful and full-bodied wines with elegant aromas of flowers and muscat.
Muscadelle: it is the complementary grape variety of dry or mellow whites.
Its profile: very fragile, it produces very aromatic, slightly acidic, round and powerful wines.
Its secret: minority but seductive with its floral and musky notes.
Sémillon: it is the main grape variety in soft and syrupy whites.
Its profile: round and fat, it brings aromas of apricot and honey.
Its secret: sublimated by "noble rot", it develops very delicious scents.
Sauvignon blanc 
sauvignon gris 
Muscadelle 
Sémillon
And a Maison des Vins to discover the different nectars of the Sainte-Foy-Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation.
In the heart of the Bastide, come and discover, at the Maison des Vignerons de Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux, the wines of our producers: reds, dry and soft whites / sweet and rosé.
On Saturdays, during the summer period and with the approach of the holidays (Christmas, Easter, etc.), a winegrower will offer you a tasting of his wines, a privileged moment of exchange and sharing on his work and his passion.
Some gift ideas are also suggested ...
The Maison des vins is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 14:30 p.m. to 17:30 p.m. and Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
