Francs Côtes de Bordeaux

The commune of Francs, which gave its name to the appellation, is a small commune located on the border of the Dordogne department, about sixty kilometers east of Bordeaux, and about ten kilometers north of Castillon-la-Bataille.

Its origins go back to the beginning of the 6th century. In 507, after the battle of Vouillé, Clovis I, king of the Franks, defeated Alaric II, king of the Visigoths, and took over Aquitaine. A detachment of the Frankish army established its camp in this place which was named "Ad Francos" and later became Francs.

As in the neighboring regions, the vine is implanted there since very ancient times. The churches date from the 11th and 12th centuries, and traces of a Gallic station have been found here, as well as a menhir.

It is a region far from the main roads, calm and pleasant. Its hillsides, often dominated by ruins of mills and pigeon houses, are covered with vines, while meadows and various crops occupy the bottom of the valleys.

The Controlled Designation of Origin Bordeaux Côtes de Francs was created by a decree of May 26, 1967, modified by a decree of January 9, 1976 and by a decree of February 9, 1989.

Since the recognition in 2008 of the new Controlled Designation of Origin Côtes de Bordeaux and its denominations Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, Francs Côtes de Bordeaux, the wines of the Côtes de Francs appellation are now called Francs Côtes de Bordeaux.

This region, located halfway between the valleys of the Isle and the Dordogne, is made up of hillsides which are the extension towards the east of those of Saint-Émilionnais. The soil is more or less clayey in the bottom of the valleys and clayey-limestone on the slopes. The subsoil is generally marly or calcareous, sometimes clayey and even contains iron dross. Despite its eastern exposure, this terroir benefits from excellent sunshine with low rainfall and temperatures that are lower in winter and higher in summer than in neighboring terroirs.