Bourgueil French wine appellation guide: location, history, wines, climate & soil

Geographic position

Western France, in the Indre-et-Loire department on the north bank of the Loire, between Tours and Saumur, around the town of Bourgueil, opposite Chinon and next to Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil.

Origin & history

The Benedictine Abbey of Bourgueil, founded in 990, developed the vineyards, and tradition credits Abbot Baudry with introducing Cabernet Franc (locally called "Breton") in the 11th century. The writer Rabelais, born nearby, praised the wines. Bourgueil became an AOC in 1937.

Wines & grape varieties

Mostly red, from Cabernet Franc with up to 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, plus some rosé. Expect raspberry, blackcurrant, violet, a herbal touch and fine tannins; wines from gravel are supple and early-drinking, those from tuffeau slopes more structured and age-worthy.

Climate & soil

Mild oceanic climate protected by forests to the north. Sandy-gravel terraces near the river and clay-limestone tuffeau slopes above.