Montagne Saint-Emilion French wine appellation guide: location, history, wines, climate & soil
Montagne-Saint-Émilion is the largest of the Saint-Émilion "satellite" appellations, offering supple, Merlot-led red Bordeaux with much of Saint-Émilion's charm at a gentler price.
More info about Montagne Saint-Emilion
Geographic position
Southwestern France, on Bordeaux's Right Bank in the Gironde, just north of Saint-Émilion across the small Barbanne stream, between Lussac, Puisseguin and Pomerol, about 40 km east of Bordeaux.
Origin & history
The village takes its name from the hills ("montagne") where Roman villas and vineyards once stood; Gallo-Roman remains have been found here. The AOC was created in 1936, and the neighbouring village of Saint-Georges was later allowed to use the Montagne name. Its windmills and Romanesque church are local landmarks.
Wines & grape varieties
Red wine only, dominated by Merlot with Cabernet Franc and some Cabernet Sauvignon. Expect plum, black cherry, spice, soft tannins and, from good sites, the structure to age 5 to 10 years.
Climate & soil
Temperate oceanic climate. Clay-limestone plateaus and slopes, with sandy clay and some gravel, similar to the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion.
Wine region: Bordeaux
Grape varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot