When an old wine region is rebranded, it announces that something significant is happening. The Côtes de Bordeaux Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) was created in 2009 to encompass four subregions: Francs, Blaye, Castillon and Cadillac. Now in its seventh year, the appellation is getting more attention from consumers interested in quality wines without excessive prices and aging requirements. These three producers are helping to remake a storied region.

What is a trend you would like to see in the Côtes de Bordeaux?

Youmna Asseily, Château Biac, Cadillac: People like to rediscover areas that may have been forgotton, and I think this trend of embracing visitors to the area is very important. There are a lot of vineyards in our area opening up guesthouses or bed and breakfasts, so people can experience the vineyard life. It’s a beautiful region, it’s hilly and also very human, very approachable, and I think the attitudes of winemakers in the area can be old fashioned in the sense that we are welcoming. These aren’t corporate-owned vineyards. They are family owned and charming.

Guillaume Martin, Château Roland la Garde, Blaye: We see development of a smarter and environmentally safer way of doing wines. Working in biodynamics and having organic and Demeter labels is risky in the Bordeaux area, because of the humid climate. But for us, this is the [best] way possible to cultivate our vines and produce our wines.

Read more at source: Winemag