Bourgueil is a name that immediately evokes Jean Carmet, the famous French actor who was an esteemed ambassador for the wines of this family village. Located about 40 kilometers west of Tours, the capital of Touraine, Bourgueil is one of the three major appellations of red wines in the region.
The Bourgueil appellation spans 1,400 hectares and includes seven municipalities in the Indre-et-Loire department: Restigné, Benais, Ingrandes-de-Touraine, Saint-Patrice, Chouzé-sur-Loire, La Chapelle-sur-Loire, and Bourgueil. The vineyard benefits from a particular microclimate, sheltered from the northern winds by the forest and influenced by the moderating effects of the Loire River.
Though small, the town center of Bourgueil offers several points of interest. The Saint-Germain Church is worth a visit, as is the Maison des Vins de Bourgueil. Located in Jean Carmet’s former family home, a 15th-century building in the heart of the village, this venue offers tastings of local wines.
Bourgueil wines are primarily red, made from the Cabernet Franc grape (locally known as “Breton”), with up to 10% Cabernet Sauvignon allowed. There is also a small quantity of rosé (2-5% of total production). The varied soils (gravel, sand, clay-limestone) give rise to wines with different profiles, ranging from light and fruity to more structured and tannic.
The vineyard stretches over about twenty square kilometers, offering a rolling landscape of hills, valleys, and slopes that invites walking. To deepen your oenological experience, the nearby village of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, just 2-3 kilometers away, also offers tastings of its own AOC wines.
Several tourist sites in the vicinity are worth a visit. The Château de Rigny-Ussé, often referred to as the “Château of Sleeping Beauty,” is located about twenty kilometers away. The picturesque villages of Candes-Saint-Martin and Montsoreau, classified among the most beautiful villages in France, offer stunning views of the Loire and are situated about 15 kilometers from Bourgueil.
For wine enthusiasts, the best time to visit is generally from May to October. The grape harvest takes place in September, providing a unique opportunity to see the hustle and bustle in the vineyards. Be sure to book your winery visits in advance, especially during the peak season.
