World renowned red St Emilion wine vintages originate in the oldest area of the region of Bordeaux. Bordeaux, as cognoscente are aware, is famous for its top quality wines. But this also has a World Heritage UNESCO listing.
The linage of this area goes back to an early human settlement period. The appellations are identified by the name of a small Gironde department town. This is located in Aquitaine. Roman ruins and churches are spread across its willowy streets. The unexpected magnificence of the parish church will be a revelation for travelers. This grand and imposing structure is the largest of European troglodyte basilicas. Constructed from local stone, this thousand year old structure has magnificent frescoes and carvings.
A wandering monk who chose to settle in the 8th century gave the municipality its name. He made a cave dwelling his hermitage. The town is a few miles inside from the coast and close to Bordeaux city. Its hilltop location and its medieval era buildings are a charming setting.
The Romans by the 2nd century had planted the original vineyards. Monks who followed the itinerant monk began first production from the vineyards on a commercial scale. The distinguishing feature is its robustly potent appellations. These wines also mature quicker than other regional varieties.
The region is more diminutive than the Medoc and lies beside the Pomerol. Merlot and Cabernet Franc are the primary grape varieties used. In this similarities are shared with the Pomerol and other products from the right side of the Gironde estuary. Some chateaux also use relatively small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon. The 1855 Bordeaux classification did not include them and the first formal classification was made in 1955.
Limestone is soil which defines appellation quality. Towards the area where the town stands, the major wineries lie perched on a plateau. Its slopes have clay mixed with limestone. The raised table has two sections. St Martin plateau is in the western part where leading wineries are dotted around the municipality. The St Christophe plateau in the eastern section has the less prestigious producers.
The larger city is an elegantly showpiece of 18th Century mansions and grand private houses. There are boutiques, a grand opera house and countless bars where the young and social socialize. Outside Paris, Bordeaux has more, better stocked vintners than any other city in the country. For connoisseurs it is an ideal base for excursions into arguably the most renowned vineyards in the world.
Chateau Ausone and Chateau Cheval Blanc are the only two St Emilion wine appellations in the top class. Thirteen have been awarded the next categorization and fifty three are in the following category. A substantial representation is classified Grand Cru. There is opportunity for simply tasting these wines, if you desire to just learn about them. Wineries are welcome and introduces visitors to their wines. Vineyards can be identified with the assistance of the information office in the city. Maps with listed telephone numbers provide all the information you need to begin your exploration. Tours may also be arranged through travel agents. A quicker venue is the Ecole du Vin operated by the information office that offers a weekend course. The price is reasonable. It also provides 2 hour tasting sessions.
The linage of this area goes back to an early human settlement period. The appellations are identified by the name of a small Gironde department town. This is located in Aquitaine. Roman ruins and churches are spread across its willowy streets. The unexpected magnificence of the parish church will be a revelation for travelers. This grand and imposing structure is the largest of European troglodyte basilicas. Constructed from local stone, this thousand year old structure has magnificent frescoes and carvings.
A wandering monk who chose to settle in the 8th century gave the municipality its name. He made a cave dwelling his hermitage. The town is a few miles inside from the coast and close to Bordeaux city. Its hilltop location and its medieval era buildings are a charming setting.
The Romans by the 2nd century had planted the original vineyards. Monks who followed the itinerant monk began first production from the vineyards on a commercial scale. The distinguishing feature is its robustly potent appellations. These wines also mature quicker than other regional varieties.
The region is more diminutive than the Medoc and lies beside the Pomerol. Merlot and Cabernet Franc are the primary grape varieties used. In this similarities are shared with the Pomerol and other products from the right side of the Gironde estuary. Some chateaux also use relatively small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon. The 1855 Bordeaux classification did not include them and the first formal classification was made in 1955.
Limestone is soil which defines appellation quality. Towards the area where the town stands, the major wineries lie perched on a plateau. Its slopes have clay mixed with limestone. The raised table has two sections. St Martin plateau is in the western part where leading wineries are dotted around the municipality. The St Christophe plateau in the eastern section has the less prestigious producers.
The larger city is an elegantly showpiece of 18th Century mansions and grand private houses. There are boutiques, a grand opera house and countless bars where the young and social socialize. Outside Paris, Bordeaux has more, better stocked vintners than any other city in the country. For connoisseurs it is an ideal base for excursions into arguably the most renowned vineyards in the world.
Chateau Ausone and Chateau Cheval Blanc are the only two St Emilion wine appellations in the top class. Thirteen have been awarded the next categorization and fifty three are in the following category. A substantial representation is classified Grand Cru. There is opportunity for simply tasting these wines, if you desire to just learn about them. Wineries are welcome and introduces visitors to their wines. Vineyards can be identified with the assistance of the information office in the city. Maps with listed telephone numbers provide all the information you need to begin your exploration. Tours may also be arranged through travel agents. A quicker venue is the Ecole du Vin operated by the information office that offers a weekend course. The price is reasonable. It also provides 2 hour tasting sessions.