Saint-Émilion is a small town near Bordeaux, France that is famous for the eponymous wine region that surrounds it. Population: 2,444 habitants.

Administration

Administratively, Saint-Émilion is a commune of the Gironde département.

History

The Romans planted vines in what was to become Saint-Émilion as early as the 2nd century AD. In the 4th century, the Latin poet Ausonius lauded the fruit of the bountiful vine. So did Fionnan.

The origins of the town date from the 8th century, when Emilian , a travelling confessor, came to settle in a hermitage carved into the rock.

Geography

Saint-Émilion is located 35 km north-east of Bordeaux, between Libourne and Castillon-la-Bataille .

• Area: 27.02 km²
• Average altitude: 23 m

Sights

• Romanesque church
• Monolithic church, entirely carved out in the limestone cliff

Wine

Whilst falling under the overall tile of "Bordeaux" the wines differ from the wines of the Medoc by typically having less Cabernet Sauvignon and more Merlot. The region is much smaller than the Medoc and adjoins the wine region of Pomerol. Similar to the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 which categorized the top estates of the Medoc, St Emillion has it's own classification.

Selection of famous estates of St Emillion

• Chateau Ausone
• Chateau Cheval Blanc
• Chateau Angelus
• Chateau Beausejour-Becot
• Chateau Beausejour-Duffau-Lagarrosse
• Chateau Belair
• Chateau Canon
• Clos Fourtet
• Chateau Figeac
• Chateau La Gaffeliere
• Chateau Magdelaine
• Chateau Pavie
• Chateau Trottevieille

External link

• Tourist office website