Bordeaux, Côtes de

Bordeaux, Côtes de, group of appellations on the right bank of the Garonne that since 2009 has brought together the (mainly red) wines of four smaller regions. The details have been in flux but 2009 was the first Côtes de Bordeaux vintage and by 2013 the vineyards involved totalled 9,829 ha/24,278 acres. The group comprises Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux (see cadillac), and Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux (see castillon), which apply specifically to red wines; Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux (see blaye) for both red and dry white); and Francs Côtes de Bordeaux (see francs), which can apply to reds and both dry and sweet whites). The appellation Côtes de Bordeaux tout court applies to any wine made from one or more of these geographically specific appellations, has slightly less strict requirements than them, and is generally used by merchants rather than individuals. These wines tend to have more personality than regular bordeaux aoc, the result perhaps of local pride, and can provide some of Bordeaux’s better wine value.