Saint-Emilion, in addition to being a charming village, is known worldwide for the quality of its wines.

A medieval village

A charming medieval village located in the heart of the famous Bordeaux vineyards, Saint-Emilion is unique in its kind because of the importance of its wine properties, the quality of its wines and the majesty of its architecture and its monuments. Located 40 minutes from Bordeaux and easily accessible, this extraordinary medieval city opens its doors all year round to adventurers, wine lovers or simply curious people. City steeped in history perched on a rocky promontory, Saint-Emilion and its vineyard draw their originality from the limestone which has shaped its identity. Legend has it that in the middle of the 8th century a Breton monk, a native of Vannes and named Emilion, sought refuge in a place of retirement called Ascumbas (former name of the city of Saint-Emilion).

200 km of underground galleries

From the 9th to the 19th century, men had the will to extract the rock to build the architectural ensemble of the city. Witness the presence of 200 km of underground galleries which provided the limestone necessary for the construction of several buildings in the region, particularly in Bordeaux. Limestone is omnipresent and provides exceptional soil for the vines of Saint-Emilion. A harmonious work of Nature and Man, the landscapes of Saint-Emilion are unique testimonies of history. In 1999, and for the first time in the world, a wine-growing landscape was propelled to the rank of sites listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, which considers Saint-Emilion as “a remarkable example of a historic wine-growing landscape which survived intact” and which continues its activity today.

A great diversity of terroirs

Saint-Emilion also owes its exceptional side to its great diversity of terroirs. The variety of its wines is explained by a remarkable geological diversity (limestone, clay-limestone, gravelly and sandy soil) and a microclimate perfectly adapted to viticulture. This combination, associated with the meticulous care given to the vines by the professionals, offers the ideal conditions for nutrition and maturity of Merlot, the dominant grape variety. Indeed, the variety of Saint-Emilion wines is also explained by a skilful blend of grape varieties (mainly Merlot associated with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, or even Malbec) which allows them to flourish in a palette of olfactory nuances. and tastes particularly appreciated.

A major place for wine tourism.

The Jurade, wine brotherhood of Saint-Emilion, was established in 1199 by Jean Sans Terre, King of England. The latter delegated his economic, political and judicial powers to notables and magistrates of the city in order to manage the general administration. The authority of the Jurade lasted until the French Revolution in 1789 and then in 1948, a few winegrowers revived the brotherhood. The latter now carries the reputation of the appellations and organizes the Spring Festival in June and the Harvest Ban in September each year. There is therefore not one but several Saint-Emilion wines. How to recognize them ? Regularly adapting to the needs of its many visitors, Saint-Emilion is now a major place for wine tourism.

Official site : https://www.saint-emilion-tourisme.com/