Cotes de Bordeaux
From the Gironde estuary to the borders of the Dordogne, via the banks of the Garonne, the Côtes de Bordeaux territory seduces with the diversity and beauty of its landscapes and its rich heritage. Historic castles, manors, fortresses and sumptuous residences linked to the memory of famous artists attest to a rich historical past while the preserved villages with narrow streets, bastides and fortified mills are witnesses of an ancient agricultural and trading activity. of several centuries.
The Côtes de Bordeaux are an important witness to the History of Wine in our country but also to the History of France: some of the greatest pages of this were written in the territory of the Côtes de Bordeaux.
The vine has in fact been planted in this region since ancient times. From the 2nd century, the Romans established the first plans for “Vitis Biturica” there, which, according to the writings of Ausonius in the 4th century, made it possible to produce a wine renowned as far away as Rome.
The region's real wine boom began thanks to the marriage of Aliénor d'Aquitaine and Henri Plantagenêt, who opened the doors of the London market to Côtes wines. The end of the English occupation of Aquitaine in 1453 with the Battle of Castillon marked its end.
Côtes de Bordeaux wines experienced a new boom in the second half of the 17th century. Their excellent ability to transport and preserve made them the favorite wines of the English who took them to their colonies.
The 18th century marks the beginning of wine specialization and the development of the red and white Côtes appellations officially created in the 20th century.