Premières Côtes de Bordeaux
A name with 2 lives: for 72 years it covered the wines of the hills on the right bank of the Garonne; since 2009 it belongs to sweet whites alone, with at least 34 g/l of sugar.
The place
The Premières Côtes are a strip of hills along the right bank of the Garonne, 39 communes from Bassens and Lormont on the edge of Bordeaux down to Verdelais and Sainte-Croix-du-Mont. The relief is marked, up to 120 meters, and the vines climb from the foot of the slopes up the Garonne hillsides to the plateaus, on limestone, clay and silt. Historically the south made white and the north made red, and some southern communes added the name Cadillac to their whites. In 2009, 60 producers made an average of 7,000 hectoliters of sweet white on 190 hectares.
The rules
White with sugar left in it, and nothing else: at least 34 g/l in the finished wine. Muscadelle, Sauvignon, Sauvignon Gris and Sémillon, at no less than 4,500 vines a hectare. The grapes are picked at good ripeness, 221 g/l of sugar, and the rules ask for neither noble rot nor successive passes, which makes this the lighter-handed neighbor of Loupiac and Sainte-Croix-du-Mont. The wine must reach 13.5% of natural alcohol and be sold at 11.5% at least, at 45 hectoliters a hectare with a ceiling of 55. It is raised until January 15 and sold from January 31 of the year after the harvest. The cahier des charges (the appellation’s official rulebook) in force, the appellation’s official rulebook, is the version of December 29, 2025.
The names
No classification. The appellation was recognized by the decree of July 31, 1937, and for 72 years it covered the reds of these hills as well. The decree of October 29, 2009 sent the reds to the new Côtes de Bordeaux, under the name Cadillac, and left the old name to the sweet whites. The same 39 communes hold 3 sweet appellations of their own, Cadillac, Loupiac and Sainte-Croix-du-Mont. Joseph Capus, who ran the research station at Cadillac, was 1 of the founders of INAO.
- Color
- Sweet white, at least 34 g/l of sugar
- Communes
- 39, from Bassens and Lormont to Verdelais and Sainte-Croix-du-Mont
- Vineyard
- 190 hectares, 60 producers, 7,000 hectoliters (2009)
- Ground
- Limestone, clay and silt, from the foot of the slopes to the plateaus; up to 120 meters
- Grapes
- Muscadelle, Sauvignon, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon
- Density
- 4,500 vines a hectare at least
- Harvest
- At good ripeness, 221 g/l of sugar
- Yield
- 45 hectoliters a hectare, ceiling 55
- Alcohol
- 13.5% natural at least, sold at 11.5% at least
- Release
- From January 31 of the year after the harvest
- Inside it
- Cadillac, Loupiac and Sainte-Croix-du-Mont
- Classified
- No classification
- AOC since
- July 31, 1937; sweet white only since 2009; cahier modified on December 29, 2025
Sources: FGVB, cahier des charges Premières Côtes de Bordeaux, arrêté du 29 décembre 2025 · FGVB, cahier des charges Côtes de Bordeaux, arrêté du 4 juin 2026
News from Premières Côtes de Bordeaux
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Premières Côtes de Bordeaux seeks a 3-colour future
Premières Côtes de Bordeaux has applied to INAO to expand beyond sweet white wine and authorize a broader range of styles under its name.
Approval could give growers greater commercial flexibility while reconnecting the appellation name with the full potential of its terroir. The decision will test how far Bordeaux’s regulatory structure can adapt to changing demand.
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Premières Côtes de Bordeaux open days: around thirty châteaux open to the public
Sud Ouest previews the 31st open-house weekend in the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux, with around 30 châteaux welcoming the public on June 6 to 7. The program includes tastings, visits, vineyard activities and meetings with growers across several communes.
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THE EU FAB 6 CLOSES A SUCCESSFUL EDITION OF LONDON WINE FAIR 2026
The EU FAB 6 showcased PDO wines from Premières Côtes de Bordeaux and Cadillac during the 3-day London Wine Fair 2026.
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THE EU FAB 6 BRINGS ABRUZZO AND PREMIÈRES CÔTES DE BORDEAUX AND CADILLAC PDO WINES TO UK WINE BARS
The EU Fab 6 is bringing Abruzzo and Premières Côtes de Bordeaux and Cadillac PDO wines to UK wine bars through a series of tastings and masterclasses taking place across the United Kingdom.