Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wine is recognized throughout France and internationally. It is the largest communal appellation (for red wine) in the Loire Valley region and in France. The terroir is mainly composed of sand, gravel, sandy-silt, and clay-limestone. The specificity of the Cabernet Franc grape, the king grape, on our soil, is characterized by its finesse and deliciousness, revealing aromas of red fruits: blackberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, raspberry, and cherry.

What is the grape variety in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil?

Presentation of the main grape variety: Cabernet Franc

In Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, the Cabernet Franc grape flourishes and stands out through its aromatic finesse, structure, red fruit aromas, and spicy notes. If you walk through the vineyards of the commune during harvest season, you can recognize this grape variety by its medium-sized bunches and small berries, which allow for the production of an aromatic wine like our traditional 12 Arpents cuvée. The grapes of our Cabernet Francs are sweet and delicious, worth a taste...

Why is Cabernet Franc the sole grape variety of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil?

Even though Cabernet Sauvignon can be planted, Cabernet Franc is the preferred grape variety for 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 viticultural traditions has led to favoring this grape variety in the appellation's regulations. Furthermore, the soils of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil are particularly well suited to Cabernet Franc. This grape variety benefits from 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; for red wine, we also find the following grape varieties:

• Gamay.
• Pinot Noir.
• Grolleau.
• Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Pineau d’Aunis.

For white wines:

• Melon de Bourgogne.
• Chenin Blanc.
• Sauvignon Blanc.
• Folle Blanche.
• Chardonnay.
• Chasselas.
• Romorantin.

In Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, the Cabernet Franc grape variety thrives and offers the wines of this commune a fruity complexity. This encourages the winemakers of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil to stand out in winemaking processes and innovate.

Discover our wine aged 7 months in used oak barrels (the barrels come from Bordeaux, are disinfected and sterilized, which helps to find the right balance between the fruit of the Cabernet Franc and a light woody taste): Cuvée Coquelicot.

Domaine de la Chopinière du Roy also innovates in its cuvées, particularly with the single-vineyard cuvée Sous la Robe. Carried by captivating aromas of black fruits, this cuvée produced in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil with Cabernet Franc grapes, comes from our vines and their hand-harvested grapes at optimal ripeness, by the expert brotherhood of the DAMES DU ROY.

 Cabernet Franc wines in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil 

Sensory profile of Cabernet Franc in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil

It reveals a deep red color with purplish reflections in its youth. The older the wine gets, the lighter its color will become. The nose offers aromas of red fruits (cherry, raspberry, and blackberry). Aromatic, Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Cabernet Franc can reveal light wines, but also more complex and tannic wines. The tannins soften with age.

Rosé from Cabernet Franc 

Other types of wines can be found in the region around Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil. Rosé is very present in the region. Indeed, the Cabernet Franc grape can produce a very aromatic Rosé. Our dry and fruity Rosé, produced from Cabernet Franc from the sun-drenched hillsides of the Loire Valley, is distinguished by its aromas of exotic fruits and citrus.

In summary, Cabernet Franc in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil offers aromas of ripe red fruits, a ruby color, and a beautiful tannic structure. On the ancient bed of the Loire, the Cabernet Franc grape thrives, with soil composed of gravel and silt, sediments deposited by our royal river the Loire.