A balcony over the estuary, facing the Médoc
About 35 kilometres north of Bordeaux, the Bourg vineyard spreads across some fifteen communes of the right bank, where the Dordogne meets the Gironde. Its steep slopes, turned toward the estuary and facing the Médoc, earned it the nickname "little Swiss Gironde." The appellation produces essentially red wine, with an anecdotal share of white.
The terroir: clay-limestone and gravel
Two main soil types share the region. The clay-limestone slopes, on asteria limestone and Paleogene molasse, are the most sought-after: they offer a good balance between drainage and freshness, retaining just enough water. Elsewhere, clay-gravel or sandy soils, on Pliocene gravelly clays, bring other nuances. This diversity, combined with a pronounced relief, accounts for the variety of the wines.
The style of the wines
Merlot dominates (around 65%), but Bourg's originality lies in the place it still holds for malbec, alongside cabernet sauvignon. The result is colourful, fleshy, generous reds, both supple and structured, that pair readily with charcuterie, red meats, game and washed-rind cheeses. A vineyard offering excellent value for pleasure.