Saint-Émilion / Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, twin talents
Talk about big names. Names to conjure with. Saint-Emilion and Saint-Emilion Grand Cru share the same remarkable profile: exceptional vineyards tended with love by passionate families, UNESCO-listed cultural landscapes and great wines just waiting to be shared.
What is the Saint-Emilion/Saint-Emilion Grand Cru wine region?
Key points to remember
- 700 winegrowers in a 5,400-hectare terroir shared by both appellations, encompassing 9 communes. At the center of it all, Saint-Emilion has been a winemaking hub for at least 13 centuries. Yes, you read right!
- A complex patchwork of soils showcasing remarkable geological diversity, a temperate microclimate ideal for growing vines, and a masterful blend of grape varieties dominated by Merlot, often paired with Cabernet Franc. A real winegrowing playground, which produces an incredibly diverse array of wines.
- So what’s the difference between the two appellations? Saint-Emilion Grand Cru is even more demanding than its sister appellation, with lower yields (46 vs 53 hl/ha), aging for at least 10 months and compulsory inspections of every batch of wine…
Why do people love Saint-Emilion/Saint-Emilion Grand Cru and its wines?
- Because this is a real gem of a wine destination on a human scale, packed with family-run estates which are more than happy to open their doors to visitors
- Because the landscapes are irresistibly beautiful (no surprise, then, that this was the first wine region to be awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, in 1999)
- Because the wines are simply too good to be missed, capable of taking your breath away with their finesse and diversity
- Because the winegrowers here are utterly devoted to their vines, lavishing them with care and attention so that they can give the best of themselves
- Because every single decision made in the vineyards and the cellars is made with a view to protecting the environment
- Because Saint Emilion is full to the brim with surprises and hidden gems: exceptional wines, of course, but also sublime architecture and fascinating stories…
What is the
Saint-Émilion / Saint-Émilion Grand Cru style ?
We kind of let the cat out of the bag already: around here, no two wines are the same. That’s only to be expected, when you take a look at the incredible patchwork of terroirs. So defining the style of these twin appellations in a few words is practically impossible.
But let’s give it a go: in the glass, these wines are by turns smooth, powerful, elegant, fruity and bursting with minerality.
And if we really had to describe the signature Saint Emilion style, the best place to start would be that charming, round texture and delicious smoothness that the wines seem to share, all backed up with an attractive freshness.
The rich aromas generally include lashings of wild strawberry, redcurrant, sweet spices and vanilla, topped off with the occasional leathery or smoky note. Not forgetting their inimitable delicacy and finesse: the hallmarks of a truly great wine. Simply marvelous.
It goes without saying that wines of such eminent quality can be cellared for years on end, but they also display an undeniable charm in their younger years.
See also: Grape varietiesWhich kind of wines can be found in Saint-Emilion/Saint-Emilion Grand Cru?
This is the land of red wines!
And the blend is dominated by three big names:
- The undisputed champion: Merlot, with its inimitable elegance, charm and indulgent red fruit flavors;
- Cabernet Franc, with its dense tannins and aromatic power;
- and a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon, which adds some spicy notes as well as boosting the wines’ ageing potential.
Three lesser-known varieties sometimes lend some variety to the core trio: Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carménère.
Fun facts
Three fun facts you need to know about Saint-Emilion/Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Think you know all there is to know about the appellation? Hold your horses, because there’s still so much more to learn.
1.
After a rigorous selection process, 85 châteaux from the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation were officially recognized in the 2022 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru classification. This entitles them to use the title Grand Cru Classé or, for the very best, Premier Grand Cru Classé.
2.
Saint-Emilion’s nickname as the “hill with a thousand châteaux” is well-earned: just look at the kaleidoscopic patchwork of vines. This is not a recent development. In fact, the complicated land ownership arrangements in these parts reflect the legacy of the late Middle Ages.
3.
The Jurade, Saint-Emilion’s iconic vinous brotherhood, has been taking care of these wines for over 800 years! To this day, the Jurade’s 140 members (or jurats) work to perpetuate the noble reputation of their appellation, organizing a host of events aimed at wine lovers, aficionados and curious newcomers.
Let’s talk about the soil
Saint-Emilion is a complex appellation, and all the better for it: the ancient village sits atop a plateau of asteriated limestone, which gives way to a vast terrace of silt-clay gravel stretching towards Libourne, flanked by clay-limestone hills and valleys, and of course the sandy-gravel plain of the Dordogne Valley.
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With such a variety of soils and subsoils, it’s easy to see how these two appellations produce such a variety of wines. There’s never a dull moment with Saint-Emilion!
Let’s travel back in time
In the 8th century, a monk by the name of Emilion left his home in Brittany to begin a life of prayer and seclusion.
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After years of wandering down the Atlantic coast, he eventually settled in Ascumbas… the village now known as Saint-Emilion. A few of his fellow Benedictines came along for the ride, and together they laid the foundations of the first religious community in this area. Little by little the village grew, and a few centuries later it was renamed in honor of its founding saint.
Emilion himself died in around 767, after spending seventeen years living as a hermit in a cave, just a stone’s throw from the village’s famous rock-hewn church. What about his relics? Well, they disappeared in mysterious circumstances. But his spirit lives on in each and every glass of wine which bears his name.
