Cotes de Blaye & Premieres Cotes de Blaye

 

Cotes the Blaye and Blaye are white wine appellations from at least 90% Ugni Blanc plus Sauvignon Blanc. These are rather neutral and crisp whites.

Premieres Cotes de Blaye is the appellation reserved for claret, based on Merlot and supplemented by Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec in smaller quantities. The area is rich in petit chateaux that have a more consistent quality. This is difficult to reach though given the much different qualities of terroirs that make up this vast area (4.500 ha). Quality thus varies considerably from estate to estate.

 

the Gironde estuary