Saint-Émilion

Saint-Émilion is a small town near Bordeaux, France that is known for the eponymous wine region that surrounds it.

Administration

Administratively, Saint-Émilion is a commune of the Gironde département.

History

The Romans planted vineyards in what was to become Saint-Émilion as early as the 2nd century AD. In the 4th century, the Latin poet Ausonius lauded the fruit of the bountiful vine.

The origins of the town date from the 8th century, when Emilian, a travelling confessor, came to settle in a hermitage carved into the rock.

Geography

Saint-Émilion is located 35 km north-east of Bordeaux, between Libourne and Castillon-la-Bataille.

Average altitude: 23 m

Sights

Romanesque church
Monolithic church, carved out in the limestone cliff

Wine

Saint-Émilion is one of the four principal red wine areas of Bordeaux (the others being Médoc, Graves and Pomerol). The same grape varieties tend to be used but in a different ratio, with Merlot and Cabernet Franc predominating, while relatively small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon are used. The region is much smaller than the Médoc and adjoins the wine region of Pomerol.

As in Médoc, the winemakers devised a system of ranking the vineyards. While that of Medoc was done in 1855 Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 that of Saint-Émilion was first done in 1878. The use of the word "first" is significant, as unlike the Médoc classification which has never been revised (except for the promotion of Château Mouton Rothschild from 2nd to 1st Grand Cru Classe), the Saint-Émilion classification is revised about every 10 years.

Château Ausone, and Château Cheval Blanc are the only two wines currently classified as Premier grands crus classes A (First Great Growths category A). There are then 11 premier grands crus classés B and 62 grands crus classés. In addition, a number of vineyards are classified as Grand Cru.

For a full list see Classification of Saint-Emilion wine.

External link

Tourist office website

Wine regions of France | World Heritage Sites in France | Communes of Gironde