Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux

Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux lies in the far east of Bordeaux at the border with the Dordogne, on a high plateau above the river. The main place is the bastide town of Sainte-Foy-la-Grande on the bank of the Dordogne; winegrowing communes include Pineuilh. At around 280 to 350 hectares the appellation is small.

Clay-limestone soils dominate the hilltops, with sandy, gravelly boulbène soils in the valleys. The climate is oceanic with slightly continental influences towards Bergerac; winters are mild, summers warm. The slopes and the plateau offer good conditions for red and white varieties.

Merlot and Cabernet Franc form the basis of the reds, Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc that of the whites; sweet wines from Sémillon are also made. They fall under the Côtes de Bordeaux umbrella. The wines are regarded as approachable and fruit-driven, and the producers are mostly family businesses.