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Eight appellations. 145 family-owned producers.
Premières Côtes de Bordeaux — literally meaning “the first slopes of Bordeaux” — takes its name from the rolling hills that rise above the Garonne. One of Bordeaux’s historic winegrowing areas, the region has long been known for wines with balance, elegance, and drinkability.
Today, a new generation of producers is building on that heritage with a more forward-looking approach in both the vineyard and cellar, crafting wines that feel classic Bordeaux in spirit, but increasingly fresh, precise, and contemporary in style.
London Wine Fair 2026 →
This programme is co-funded by the European Union under EUFAB6. Visit theeufab6.eu →
The Premières Côtes de Bordeaux Region brings together eight distinct appellations along the right bank of the Garonne, forming one of the most diverse parts of Bordeaux.
For the UK trade, it offers real breadth: structured reds, dry whites, late-harvest whites, rosé, clairet and crémant, supported by strong value, regional character and a clear sense of place.
Crémant, dry white, rosé, clairet, red and golden late-harvest wines — combining diversity with consistent quality and strong value for money.
Family-owned estates, often spanning several generations, remain central to the Regionâs identity, combining inherited knowledge with an increasingly forward-looking approach to viticulture and winemaking. Shaped by the first slopes beyond Bordeaux, with elevations reaching around 120 metres and well-drained gravel and clay-limestone soils, the Region supports a broad range of red wine styles, including a stronger Cabernet presence alongside its Merlot-led wines.
This page provides a single point of reference for the Regionâs wines, producers and UK activity.
Register your interest →Five estates at the London Wine Fair, 18–20 May at Olympia (Stand C70). Available for follow-up trade appointments through the London Wine Academy.
One Region, Eight AOCs
Eight distinct AOCs spanning dry and late-harvest whites, structured reds, rosé, clairet and crémant. Each reflects a different expression of this river-influenced terroir.
21 winegrowers · 28 hectares. The flagship late-harvest appellation. Golden, late-harvest wines from Sémillon, Sauvignon and Muscadelle — fruity and floral aromas of citrus, candied fruit, quince, peach and yellow flowers. Balanced and elegant.
23 winegrowers · 62 hectares. Sweet whites with subtle aromas of white fruits and citrus. Structured and smooth without being heavy, these wines are distinguished by their great ageing potential. Named after the historic town at the heart of the region.
A single commune with dramatic views over the Garonne valley. Morning mists and south-facing slopes create ideal conditions for noble rot. Some of the most sought-after late-harvest whites in the region — 344 hectares of rolling clay-limestone hillsides.
A single-commune appellation on the right bank, directly opposite Sauternes. 344 hectares on rolling hills of clay and limestone. Elegant, long-lived late-harvest whites with a distinctive freshness — flavours of yellow flowers, tropical fruit, honey and gingerbread.
84 winegrowers · 866 hectares. The largest red appellation, stretching from Bordeaux south to Langon. Ripe red and black fruit aromas — cherry, blackcurrant, blackberry — enhanced by spicy notes of vanilla and liquorice. Both indulgent and refined.
54 winegrowers · 381 hectares. Red wines of elegant roundness, offering a harmonious balance between aromatic richness and finesse on the palate. From Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot on clay-limestone slopes.
White wines only — dry, moelleux (off-dry) and liquoreux (richly late-harvest). From Sauvignon, Sémillon and Muscadelle. One of the region's most characterful and least-known appellations, producing wines with notes of ripe pear, honey, toasted almonds and tropical fruit.
The broad regional appellation, covering all styles and colours — including Clairet, late harvest and Crémant de Bordeaux. A versatile entry point for buyers building accessible, recognisable Bordeaux ranges across the full spectrum.
The Region at a Glance
The Bordeaux Blend
Eight principal varieties across two colour families. Reds dominate the hillside appellations; whites — both dry and botrytised — thrive closer to the Garonne. Crémant de Bordeaux draws from both.
Dominant red — plush, fruit-forward with soft tannins. Cherry, plum, blackberry. Thrives on clay-limestone hillsides.
Structure, power and ageing potential — cassis, cedar, graphite. The backbone of the blend.
Elegance — violets, red fruit, fresh herbs and fine-grained tannins. Good ageing potential.
Supporting varieties — deep colour, spice, floral complexity. Also used in Crémant rosé alongside Carménère.
Backbone of late-harvest and dry whites. Waxy, honeyed texture with exceptional affinity for noble rot. Essential in Crémant production.
Intensely aromatic, high acidity. Lead variety in dry blends — citrus lift and freshness. Also adds structure to late-harvest wines.
Delicate floral and grapey aromas. Less widely planted; prefers gravel soils. Adds perfume and complexity in smaller proportions.
Sauvignon Gris — elegant florals with lower acidity. Colombard adds crisp freshness to dry whites and Crémant.
New varieties since 2020: Liliorila and Alvarinho — maintaining acidity and freshness in dry whites.
Six Styles, One Region
From crémant to botrytised late-harvest whites — every major style, across eight appellations.
Five intimate evenings celebrating the wines, producers and stories of the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux Region — for trade buyers, sommeliers and serious wine enthusiasts.
All events are trade-focused. Bookings open soon — register your interest below.
The full directory of all 145 Premières Côtes de Bordeaux Region producers is being built. Check back soon — or get in touch for early access.
Notify me when readyThe London Wine Academy works with the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux Region association to bring this exceptional region to the attention of the UK trade. For enquiries about the roadshow, tastings or direct producer introductions, please get in touch.
Contact Us → Visit the Official Region Website (French) →In Partnership With
This programme is co-funded by the European Union under EUFAB6.
