Montage Saint Emilion

Montagne-Saint-Émilion is the largest 'satellite' title of the Saint-Émilion appellation in the 'right bank' Libournais sub-region of Bordeaux. The appellation applies to red wine only.

The grape varieties permitted within the appellation are Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is the dominant variety by far (75 percent of plantings), most often partnered with Cabernet Franc (15 percent, known here as 'Bouchet'). Cabernet Sauvignon (eight percent) is much less common in the cooler soils of the Saint-Émilion area in general.  there are also small amounts of Malbec and Petit Verdot. The prevalence of Merlot (an early flowering variety) means that Montagne-Saint-Émilion is susceptible to spring frosts and can lose the majority of its output in a cold year.

The zone surrounds the village of Montagne, five kilometers (three miles) to the north of the town of Saint-Émilion. In total there are around 1,500 hectares (3,700 acres) under vine. The appellation laws state that wines made from the Saint-Georges commune, though recognized as an independent appellation in its own right, may also be labeled as Montagne-Saint-Émilion.

The village of Montagne translates as "mountain", though the topography consists of mostly rolling hills. Soils are unusually homogenous for the area, with clay and limestone. There are a couple of areas of sandy clay in the west towards Néac, and an area of gravel along the former Route Nationale 89.

The terroir here is regarded as closely ressembling that of Saint-Émilion, being separated only by a small river, La Barbanne. This may partly explain why the appellation has a reputation for producing some of the best wines from the Saint-Émilion satellites.

To qualify for the Montagne-Saint-Émilion appellation, wines must contain a minimum of 11 percent alcohol and come from vineyards planted to a density of less than 5500 vines per hectare. There are 220 growers, of whom 23 are members of the local Cave Coopérative.