AOC Bordeaux Supérieur
This applies to AOC red wine type, or "sweet white".
It covers an area of ??10,000 hectares (for reds) and has an annual production of around 530,000 hl (for reds).
Production area
This AOC can be applied to the entire Bordeaux wine region.
Climate
Region dominated by the tributaries of the estuary of the Gironde, Garonne and Dordogne rivers, which irrigate the land and provide an oceanic climate in the region.
Red Varieties
Major: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenère, Merlot rouge, Malbec, Petit Verdot
White Strains
Major (min 70%): Semillon, Sauvignon (blanc y gris), Muscadelle
Secondary (max 30%): Merlot blanc (max 15%), Colombard, Mauzac, Ondenc, Ugni blanc
Types wine
Both the red and sweet white have a maturity requirement, under which you can not sell the wine until July 1 of the year after harvest. This differs from other regional AOCs in Bordeaux.
- Red wine. These wines are made from grape varieties permitted. Must contain grape maturation 178 g/l. Its alcohol content after fermentation, must be a minimum of 10.5%.
- Sweet white wine. These wines are made from white grape varieties permitted. Must contain grape maturation 212 g/l. Its alcohol content, after fermentation, should be between 12.5% and 15%.
Planting Requirements
- Base Performance. Must be 50 hl/ha (both red and whites).
- Minimum plant density. 2,000 vines per hectare.
- The maximum number of buds retained after pruning. 60,000 per hectare.
Regulatory Council
Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB)
1, cours du XXX Juillet.
33075 - Bordeaux Cedex
France
Tel.: +33 (0)5 56 00 22 66