All our best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines: Award-winning wines since 2007

Domaine de la Chopinière du Roy regularly participates in numerous recognized 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: The estate's competitions and awards!

For a wine to be awarded a medal, it must participate in various competitions. There are several, and today we're presenting the competitions in which we participate as an emblematic winery in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil.

The Concours des Vignerons Indépendants: The best producers!

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

What are the best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines from the Estate rewarded by the Vignerons Indépendants?

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

• CONCOURS 2025: Gold Medal, Vintage 2023, Coquelicot cuvée, available in summer 2025.
• CONCOURS 2024: Gold Medal, Vintage 2022, Coquelicot cuvée.
• CONCOURS 2023: Gold Medal, Vintage 2021, Coquelicot cuvée.
• CONCOURS 2022: Gold Medal, Vintage 2020, 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. A first selection is made in each region, before the final takes place 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.

What are the best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines from the Estate rewarded by the Concours Général Agricole?

With its first participation in 2025, Domaine de la Chopinière du Roy is off to a very strong start with 2 medals obtained for the 12 Arpents cuvée, from 2 vintages:

• CONCOURS 2025: Silver Medal, Vintage 2023, 12 Arpents cuvée.
• CONCOURS 2025: Bronze Medal, Vintage 2024, 12 Arpents cuvée, available in summer 2025.

The Concours des Ligiers: The best Loire wines!

A competition almost thirty years old, created in 1995, it sees 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, there is a jury composed of 50 people (mainly oenologists).

What are the best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines from the Estate rewarded 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 is no jealousy, as the best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines from the estate occupy all 3 places on the podium:

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

The Guide Hachette des Vins competition: Discover hidden gems!

With 40,000 wines tasted every year, the work of the jury (composed of winemakers and oenologists) is colossal. The 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 starred in the guide (up to 3 stars).

What are the best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines from the Estate rewarded 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 way back in time, among our best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines?

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

Would you like to learn more about the region's iconic years? Discover the best years for wine in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil! For the more adventurous, you can also enjoy a troglodyte cellar visit with tastings of our old vintages.

The Concours International de Lyon: worldwide recognition!

This competition takes place in the Capital of French gastronomy 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.

What are the best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines from the Estate rewarded by the Concours International de Lyon?

Just like the Concours Général Agricole, Domaine de la Chopinière du Roy is making its first appearance in 2025. A great success, with the gold medal awarded to a cuvée also a gold medalist at the Concours des Vignerons Indépendants:

• CONCOURS 2025: Gold Medal, Vintage 2023, Coquelicot cuvée, available in summer 2025.
  

A history that promises great successes!

Among all the cuvées and vintages we have mentioned previously, a large number are no longer available for sale. With the arrival in 2025 of the 9th generation of winemakers of the ORY family at the domain, 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 take a look at our selection of award-winning wines from the Estate. With this selection, you are sure to make a good choice!

You can also browse our selection of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines, Bourgueil wines, Crémants de Loire and all our Loire wines. If you prefer a more practical and economical format than bottled wine, discover our selection of Cubis wines.

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 2025, the best Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wine is the Cuvée Coquelicot Millésime 2023, double gold medalist at the Concours des Vignerons Indépendants and the Concours International de Lyon.

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

Wondering what the price of a good Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil wine is? From 7-8€ you can stumble upon a good bottle. A good wine doesn't need to cost thousands of euros to be excellent; our Cuvée Coquelicot Millésime 2023 is a double gold medalist and costs €8.60 per bottle.

What are the reviews of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wine?

According to the Guide Hachette des vins, 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 robe with violet nuances, approaching black. With a good tannic presence, this wine is lively on the attack when young. It softens with time, as does its aromatic palette (aging potential: 5 to 10 years).