TERROIR PROFILE
Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire
Limestone slopes on the right bank of the Garonne
Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire: a white-wine miniature with a medieval backdrop.
Climate, site & wine
Clay and limestone prevail, with sand and gravel over limestone in places. Sémillon is the signature grape, with honey, white flowers and quince.
The wines are dry, medium-sweet (moelleux) or fully sweet (liquoreux); the appellation is the smallest sweet-wine area on the right bank. The Graves de Saint-Macaire growers' association was founded in 1914, and the appellation was recognised in 1937. The town lies on the Garonne bank.
TERROIR PROFILE · Bordeaux
Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire Limestone slopes on the right bank of the Garonne
Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire: a white-wine miniature with a medieval backdrop.
SOILS
Limestoneprecise, mineral
Limestone delivers tension, structure and a cooler, more mineral character.
Loambody-rich, velvety
Loamy soils give wines volume and a soft, velvety mouthfeel.
CLIMATE · Maritime
The vines face full south while night fog rises from the Garonne. This contrast encourages noble rot, especially in very hot years.
TOPOGRAPHY · moderate
Slopes on the right bank of the Garonne southeast of Cadillac at the southern edge of the Entre-Deux-Mers, opposite Sauternes and Barsac; the medieval town of Saint-Macaire is at the centre.
WHAT IT MEANS IN THE GLASS
Similar terroirs worldwide
Computed from fingerprint similarity
Bottwartal
Württemberg
96% similar
- Body (slightly): Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire gives less body → finer, lighter wines (5 vs. 6).
Langhe
Piedmont
96% similar
- Body (slightly): Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire gives less body → finer, lighter wines (5 vs. 6).
Wineries on this terroir
See all 3 →This terroir's soils in the glossary