Domaine de la Chopinière du Roy regularly participates in numerous renowned competitions: the Concours Général Agricole (medals awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture), the Vignerons Indépendants competition, the Concours des Ligiers, the Concours International de Lyon, and the Guide Hachette des Vins. Today, we present the complete selection of all our best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines, awarded medals in competitions since 2007.

The best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines: Estate competitions and awards!

For a wine to be awarded a medal, it must participate in various competitions. There are several of them; today, we present the competitions in which we participate as an emblematic winery in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil.

The Vignerons Indépendants Competition: The best producers!

With over 5,000 samples and over 1,000 tasters, this is a competition in which only winemakers who produce and vinify their own wines compete. The judges are connoisseurs, trained in competition tasting by independent winemakers.

Which are the best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines from the Estate awarded by the Vignerons Indépendants?

With 4 consecutive gold medals since 2022, the Vignerons Indépendants competition awards the best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines from the Domaine de la Chopinière du Roy with the highest honor, for the Coquelicot cuvée (made from old vines and aged in oak barrels) and the 12 Arpents cuvée:

• 2025 COMPETITION: Gold Medal, 2023 Vintage, Coquelicot cuvée.
• 2024 COMPETITION: Gold Medal, 2022 Vintage, Coquelicot cuvée.
• 2023 COMPETITION: Gold Medal, 2021 Vintage, Coquelicot cuvée.
• 2022 COMPETITION: Gold Medal, 2020 Vintage, Ludovic cuvée.

The Concours Général Agricole: Recognized excellence in Paris!

This is a true benchmark in the world of viticulture and gastronomy. The Concours Général Agricole is based on very strict judging, with wine experts. In each region, a first selection is made, to then proceed to the final in Paris. It is important to note that the medals awarded represent a level of quality and not a ranking. Moreover, a wine judged not qualitative enough will not be awarded a medal.

Which are the best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines from the Estate awarded by the Concours Général Agricole?

With its first participation in 2025, Domaine de la Chopinière du Roy starts very strong with 2 medals obtained for the 12 Arpents cuvée, across 2 vintages:

• 2026 COMPETITION: Silver Medal, 2023 Vintage, Sous la Robe cuvée.
• 2025 COMPETITION: Silver Medal, 2023 Vintage, 12 Arpents cuvée.
• 2025 COMPETITION: Bronze Medal, 2024 Vintage, 12 Arpents cuvée.

The Concours des Ligiers: The best Loire wines!

A nearly thirty-year-old competition, created in 1995, with 2,000 wines presented every year. The particularity of this competition? Wines that come only from the production of appellations found throughout the Loire. Organized by the Association des Œnologues Ligériens, it features a jury of 50 people (mostly oenologists).

Which are the best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines from the Estate awarded by the Concours des Ligiers?

With its first participation in 2015, this is one of the first competitions in which Domaine de la Chopinière du Roy took part. In this competition, there are no jealousies, the best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines from the estate occupy all 3 places on the podium:

• 2024 COMPETITION: Gold Medal, 2022 Vintage, Sous la Robe cuvée.
• 2024 COMPETITION: Silver Medal, 2022 Vintage, 12 Arpents cuvée.
• 2015 COMPETITION: Bronze Medal, 2015 Vintage, Rosé sur le fruit.

The Guide Hachette des Vins Competition: Gems to discover!

With 40,000 wines tasted every year, the work of the jury (composed of winemakers and oenologists) is colossal. Wines are tasted blind, and those that receive a star are selected to appear in the new edition of the Guide Hachette des vins, published annually. This guide is perfect for discovering your next favorite wine gem! A selected wine can be mentioned for its participation, or even awarded stars in the guide (up to 3 stars).

Which are the best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines from the Estate awarded by the Guide Hachette Competition?

With 25 participations, you can guess that Domaine de la Chopinière du Roy is a regular in the Guide Hachette des vins. Are you ready to go back in time, among our best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines?

• 2027 Guide Competition: Two-star wine, 2023 Vintage, Sous la Robe cuvée.
  
• 2027 Guide Competition: One-star wine, 2024 Vintage, Coquelicot cuvée.
  
• 2026 Guide Competition: Three-star wine, 2023 Vintage, 12 Arpents cuvée.
• 2025 Guide Competition: One-star wine, 2022 Vintage, Sous la Robe cuvée.
• 2025 Guide Competition: One-star wine, 2022 Vintage, 12 Arpents cuvée.
• 2023 Guide Competition: One-star wine, 2020 Vintage, d'Antan cuvée.
  
• 2020 Guide Competition: Wine cited in the guide, 2017 Vintage, Coquelicot cuvée, from old vines and aged in oak barrels.
• 2019 Guide Competition: One-star wine, 2016 Vintage, d'Antan cuvée.
• 2019 Guide Competition: Wine cited in the guide, 2016 Vintage, Ludovic cuvée (currently renamed 12 Arpents).
• 2018 Guide Competition: Two-star wine, 2015 Vintage, d'Antan cuvée.
• 2017 Guide Competition: Wine cited in the guide, 2014 Vintage, d'Antan cuvée.
• 2017 Guide Competition: Wine cited in the guide, 2014 Vintage, Ludovic cuvée (currently renamed 12 Arpents).
• 2016 Guide Competition: Two-star wine, 2014 Vintage, Dry and Fruity Rosé.
• 2016 Guide Competition: Wine cited in the guide, 2013 Vintage, Ludovic cuvée (currently renamed 12 Arpents).
  
• 2016 Guide Competition: Wine cited in the guide, 2013 Vintage, Coquelicot cuvée, from old vines and aged in oak barrels.
• 2015 Guide Competition: Wine cited in the guide, 2012 Vintage, Coquelicot cuvée, from old vines and aged in oak barrels.
• 2015 Guide Competition: One-star wine, 2012 Vintage, d'Antan cuvée.
• 2014 Guide Competition: Wine cited in the guide, 2011 Vintage, Coquelicot cuvée, from old vines and aged in oak barrels.
• 2013 Guide Competition: One-star wine, 2010 Vintage, d'Antan cuvée.
• 2012 Guide Competition: One-star wine, 2009 Vintage, d'Antan cuvée.
• 2011 Guide Competition: One-star wine, 2008 Vintage, d'Antan cuvée.
• 2011 Guide Competition: Two-star wine, 2008 Vintage, Ludovic cuvée (currently renamed 12 Arpents).
• 2010 Guide Competition: Wine cited in the guide, 2007 Vintage, d'Antan cuvée.
• 2009 Guide Competition: One-star wine, 2006 Vintage, d'Antan cuvée.
• 2009 Guide Competition: One-star wine, 2006 Vintage, Coquelicot cuvée, from old vines and aged in oak barrels.
• 2008 Guide Competition: Wine cited in the guide, 2005 Vintage, d'Antan cuvée.
• 2008 Guide Competition: Wine cited in the guide, 2005 Vintage, Coquelicot cuvée, from old vines and aged in oak barrels.
• 2007 Guide Competition: Two-star wine, 2004 Vintage, Coquelicot cuvée, from old vines and aged in oak barrels.

The Concours International de Lyon: worldwide recognition!

This competition takes place in the Gastronomic Capital of France and judges the best wines in the world. In 2025, 10,385 samples were tasted, representing 54 countries. This competition is a true guarantee of quality in France and internationally.

• 2025 COMPETITION: Gold Medal, 2023 Vintage, Coquelicot cuvée.
  

Which are the best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines from the Estate awarded by the Concours International de Lyon?

Just like for the Concours Général Agricole, Domaine de la Chopinière du Roy made its first participation in 2025. A great success, with the gold medal obtained for a cuvée also awarded a gold medal at the Vignerons Indépendants Competition.

Andreas Larsson: Best Sommelier in the World

With its first participation in this competition in 2026, Domaine de la Chopinière du Roy entrusted one of its emblematic Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil cuvées to the Best Sommelier in the World 2007:

• 2026 COMPETITION: rated "Delicious" 91/100, 2025 vintage, the 12 Arpents cuvée.

Would you like to learn more about the emblematic years of the region? Discover the best years for wine in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil!

A history that promises great success!

Among all the cuvées and vintages we have mentioned previously, many are no longer available for sale. With the arrival in 2025 of the 9th generation of winemakers from the ORY family at the estate, we can imagine the success of future vintages and cuvées!

What is the best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wine to buy today?

If you are looking to buy our best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wine, we invite you to check out our selection of award-winning wines from the Estate. We present the medals of our emblematic cuvées:

• La Cuvée Coquelicot: Lightly oaked from our old vines (90 to 100 years old).
• La Cuvée 12 Arpents: Typical of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil.
• La Cuvée Sous la Robe: A more complex cuvée harvested a little later.
  

With this selection, you are sure to make a good choice!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about the best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines

What is the best Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil wine?

At Domaine de la Chopinière du Roy, in 2026, the best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wine is the emblematic cuvée 12 Arpents 2025.

What is the price of a Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil wine?

Are you wondering what the price of a good Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil wine is? From €8 you can find a good bottle. A good wine doesn't need to cost thousands of euros to be excellent; our 12 Arpents cuvée is regularly awarded medals and costs less than €10 per bottle.

What are the reviews of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wine?

According to the Hachette Wine Guide, St Nicolas de Bourgueil is an intense wine. On the nose, one can detect aromas of ripe red fruits, a hint of bell pepper or liquorice. It has a color with violet nuances, approaching black. With a good tannic presence, this wine is lively on the attack when young. It softens with age, as does its aromatic palette (aging potential: 5 to 10 years).