Saint-Émilion

There’s so much to say about Saint-Émilion… That the village is magnificent? That its cuisine is celebrated like nowhere else? That the macarons there are divine? Let’s focus on the wine—there’s more than enough to talk about. In the purest Bordeaux tradition, the wines (red only) of the Saint-Emilion AOC are made from grape varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, as well as small amounts of Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Carménère. Spanning eight communes, the limestone plateau terroir covers 5,600 hectares, yielding an annual production of 235,000 hectoliters. This Bordeaux vineyard has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The red wines have a ruby color that deepens with age, eventually reaching an intense garnet hue. On the nose, young wines offer aromas of red currant and strawberry, and with age, notes of toast, leather, and cocoa are added to the bouquet. The tannins are very pronounced when the wine is young, but over time the wine develops smoothness, finesse, and roundness. When it comes to food and wine pairings, these great Bordeaux wines are best enjoyed with red meats in sauce or grilled, as well as with game. They can also accompany an entire meal, right through to a dessert featuring red berries or chocolate.