The wine of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil is recognized throughout France and internationally, it is the largest communal appellation in the Loire Valley region and in France. This means that the AOP Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil is located only in the commune of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil. The terroir is mainly composed of sand, gravel, gravel-silt and clay-limestone. The specificity of the Cabernet Franc grape variety, the king grape variety, on our soil, is characterized by its finesse and its delicacy, revealing aromas of red fruits: blackberry, strawberry, blackcurrant and raspberry, cherry . Ideal to accompany aperitifs and meals with friends and family. This supple and fruity wine goes very well with your events and your dishes!
What are the characteristics of the Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil appellation?
History of the appellation
The AOP Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil designation of origin is officially recognized in France and applies to wines produced in the commune of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil . The National Committee of Wines and Brandies of the National Institute of Designations of Origin (INAO) establishes the precise conditions to benefit from the AOC Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil , they concern:
- The grape variety.
- Planting density.
- The pruning method.
- The geographical area.
- The characteristics of the wine produced.
The official recognition of the Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil appellation was governed by several decrees, specifying the production criteria, the geographical areas concerned and the wine-growing practices. Strict rules also apply to the sugar content of the grapes, the yield of the vines and the wine-making methods.
Geography and terroir
Located between Tours and Angers, in the middle of the Loire Valley, the Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil appellation is well known for its wine-growing landscape, its troglodyte cellars and its climatic conditions favorable to viticulture. The Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil AOC is only produced in the commune, which represents an area of approximately 1,100 ha.
The terroir of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil is characterized by soils composed of tuffeau, gravel and sand. The temperate climate of the Loire Valley, combined with exposure to the sun, also contributes to the quality and specificity of the wines produced in this region. Our Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines benefit from the best possible conditions, to offer fine and fruity aromas.
Production and viticulture
The cultivation methods of the AOC Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil are strictly regulated, for example:
- The minimum planting density must be 4,500 plants per hectare, with a maximum spacing of 2.10 metres between the rows and a distance of 0.55 metres between the ground and the inner wire of the trellis.
- The vines must be pruned using the simple Guyot pruning or two half-baguettes, to maintain the quality of the grapes.
Traditional wine-growing practices, passed down from generation to generation, are respected to preserve the authenticity of the wines. New production and winemaking methods are emerging within the Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil appellation , to meet societal expectations and environmental challenges.
What grape variety in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil?
Presentation of the main grape variety: Cabernet Franc
In Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, the Cabernet Franc grape variety flourishes and stands out through its aromatic finesse, its structure, its aromas of red fruits and its spicy notes. If you walk around the vineyards of the commune during the grape harvest , you will recognize this grape variety in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil , with medium-sized bunches and small berries , making it possible to produce an aromatic wine like our traditional cuvée des 12 Arpents . The grapes of our Cabernet Francs are sweet and delicious, to taste…
Why is Cabernet Franc the only grape variety in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil?
Cabernet Franc is the preferred grape variety of the Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil appellation for several reasons. Cabernet Franc has been cultivated for centuries in the Loire Valley. The importance of maintaining local winemaking traditions has led to this grape variety being favored in the appellation's regulations. In addition, the soils of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil are particularly well suited to Cabernet Franc. This grape variety takes advantage of the water retention capacity and composition of these soils. This grape variety in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil thus allows us to produce our typical red wines , with beautiful complexity and finesse.
Comparison with other grape varieties in the region
You now know that in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, the Cabernet Franc grape variety is dominant. However, in the Loire Valley, other grape varieties exist, we also find for red wine the following grape varieties:
- Gamay.
- Pinot Noir.
- Grolleau.
- Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Pineau d'Aunis.
For white wines:
- Burgundy melon.
- Chenin blanc.
- Sauvignon blanc.
- Crazy White.
- Chardonnay.
- Chasselas.
- Romorantin.
In Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, the Cabernet Franc grape variety thrives and gives the wines of this commune a fruity complexity. This pushes the winemakers of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil to stand out in the winemaking processes and to innovate:
Discover our wine aged for 7 months in second-hand oak barrels (the barrels come from Bordeaux, are disinfected and sanitized, this allows us to find the right balance between the fruit of the Cabernet Franc and a light woody taste): Cuvée Coquelicot.
The Domaine de la Chopinière du Roy also innovates in its vintages, notably with the single-vineyard vintage Sous la Robe . Carried by captivating aromas of black fruits, this vintage produced in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Cabernet Franc grape variety , comes from our vines and their grapes harvested by hand at optimum maturity , by the expert brotherhood of DAMES DU ROY .
The wines of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Cabernet Franc grape variety
Sensory profile of the AOC Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil
The Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Cabernet Franc grape variety is a traditional wine, like our cuvée des 12 Arpents . It reveals a color with nuances of a beautiful deep red, with purple highlights, in its youth. The more the wine ages, the lighter its color will become. The nose offers aromas of red fruits (cherry, raspberry and blackberries). Aromatic, the Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Cabernet Franc grape variety can reveal light wines, but also more complex and tannic wines. The tannins round out with the years.
What is the difference between Bourgueil wine and Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wine?
The difference between Bourgueil wine and Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wine is subtle. The terroirs of the AOC Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil are more sandy , with less clay and limestone in the soils. A clay-limestone soil gives the wine a slightly mineral side, our cuvée d'Antan de Bourgueil is representative of this subtlety between these two communes.
Other types of wines produced in the region
In the region around Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, other types of wine can be found. Rosé is very present in the region. Indeed, the Cabernet Franc grape variety can produce a very aromatic Rosé . Our dry and fruity Rosé , produced from Cabernet Franc from the sunny hillsides of the Loire Valley, is distinguished by its aromas of exotic fruits and citrus fruits.
You can also discover the white wines of the Loire Valley, the Domaine de la Chopinière du Roy invites you to taste our Chapitre de Blanc , dry and generous on the palate, this vintage reveals a spectrum of captivating aromas representative of the region.
The AOC Crémant de Loire also offers precise characteristics of Anjou. With fine bubbles, this wine is perfect for your festive moments. With a traditional production method, our Crémants de Loire Blanc or Rosé are distinguished by their light effervescence and captivating aromas of white flowers, vanilla or fruits .
Visit Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil
Wine tourism and discoveries
To discover this grape variety of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil , we offer several times a year, during our open days, a guided hike in the vineyards organized by Sophie, winemaker of the Domaine de la Chopinière du Roy. This is an opportunity for you to discover our Wine Cellar, our methods, our production and to exchange with us directly.
If in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, the Cabernet Franc grape variety really interests you, you can participate in the harvest thanks to our vine sponsorship offer . The opportunity for you to deepen your knowledge, you will participate in 3 workshops spread throughout the year , including the harvest, with other gifts to discover.
In summary, Cabernet Franc, a grape variety from Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil , offers aromas of ripe red fruits, a ruby color and a beautiful tannic structure. On the old bed of the Loire, in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, the Cabernet Franc grape variety flourishes, with a soil made up of gravel and silt, sediments deposited by our royal river the Loire. We hope that the grape variety and the terroirs of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil will no longer hold any secrets for you and we invite you to discover the wines of the Loire Valley and the Domaine de la Chopinière du Roy.