AOC Côtes de Blaye

History of the AOC Blaye-Côtes-de-Bordeaux Appellation

Situated on the right bank of the Gironde, the AOC Blaye-Côtes-de-Bordeaux vineyard is one of the largest in the Bordeaux region. This appellation is distinguished today by the high quality of its wines, particularly its red wines, which are aged in barrels for a minimum of 18 months. The Blaye-Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation is governed by strict regulations, encouraging the production of great red wines with aging potential.

Climate and Terroir of the AOC Blaye-Côtes-de-Bordeaux Appellation

• Climate: The AOC Blaye-Côtes-de-Bordeaux enjoys a temperate oceanic climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers.
• Soils: The soils of the Blaye vineyard are a mosaic of terroirs, ranging from clay-limestone to gravel soils. This mix provides a unique complexity to the wines of the appellation.

Key Grape Varieties of the AOC Blaye-Côtes-de-Bordeaux

Wines from the AOC Blaye-Côtes-de-Bordeaux are primarily made from traditional Bordeaux grape varieties:

• Red Wines: Dominated by Merlot, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
• White Wines: Generally made from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle.

Style of AOC Blaye-Côtes-de-Bordeaux Wines

• White: Blaye-Côtes-de-Bordeaux whites are characterized by a pale yellow color with golden reflections. The aromatic palette reveals notes of citrus fruits (grapefruit, mandarin) and white-fleshed fruits, with a beautiful minerality and freshness on the palate.
• Red: The red wines have a dark purple color. The nose is dominated by aromas of ripe red and black fruits, spices, and leather with a hint of vanilla on the finish. On the palate, these are robust red wines with velvety tannins that soften with age.

Best Food Pairings with AOC Blaye-Côtes-de-Bordeaux Wines

Here are some recipe ideas to pair with a bottle of wine from a domain or château in AOC Blaye-Côtes-de-Bordeaux:

• White Wines:
  • Seafood risotto
  • Crab linguine
  • Fresh goat cheese
• Red Wines:
  • Grilled ribeye steak
  • Duck confit
  • Roast lamb