Saint-Nicolas-De-Bourgueil

AOP/AOC by decree dated April 31st 1937, amended September 22th 2011

Vineyards

Location: This appellation follows the boundaries of the village its vineyards of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil; are planted in the west of Touraine, in a nature reserve on the upper terrace of the Loire’s right bank just below the forest andabove the network of Troglodyte caves.

Vineyard area: 1,100 ha.

History: Vines have almost certainly been grown in this area since Roman times, but it was not until the founding of the Abbey of Bourgeuil in 990 that the region’s winemaking activity began to flourish in earnest – including in Saint-Nicolas. The Breton grape first made its appearance here
in 1152, when Anjou and Aquitaine became
united.

Soils: The area lies largely on a wide terrace of ancient alluvial deposits with deep soils made up of sand and gravel. Above the terraces, one third of the vineyard extends across a Turonian chalk (tuffeau) slope with a top layer of sand.

Climate: The vineyard here overlooks the Loire at the point where it joins the Vienne, widens significantly and allows maritime influences to be felt in full. The climate here is slightly more oceanic than in Bourgueil, but the same woodland slopes protect the more exposed hillsides from north winds.

Wines

Average annual production over the last 5 years:60,800 hl.
Reds: 59,900 hl,
Rosés: 900 hl.

Base yield:55 hl/ha.

Varietal: Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon is authorized to 10% of the blend, but is seldom used.

Main growing practices:Planting density: 4,500 vines per hectare. Pruning (generally single guyot ) is strictly controlled.