Libournais

Libournais is a historic and viticultural region in southwestern France, centered on the town of Libourne in the Gironde department of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. The name designates the eastern part of Gironde around Libourne, extending along the Dordogne River and its tributaries and incorporating the areas around Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.

Geography and wine landscape characterize the Libournais as part of the Right Bank of the Dordogne. It hosts several renowned wine appellations, among them Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, whose red wines enjoy international renown. The landscape features varied terroirs, with limestone and clay soils in Saint-Émilion and clay-rich, iron-tinged soils in Pomerol, contributing to distinct wine styles.

The region is best known for its red wines, typically based on Merlot with varying proportions of Cabernet Franc and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Sauvignon. Saint-Émilion blends often emphasize Merlot, while Pomerol wines are more Merlot-dominant. The Libournais forms a core part of the larger Bordeaux wine region on the Right Bank, with wine production deeply linked to local history and riverine geography.

History and heritage play a significant role in Libournais. The town of Saint-Émilion, within the area, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural landscape, which encompasses historic architecture and vineyard management dating back centuries. Today, Libournais remains a key center for viticulture and wine tourism, attracting visitors to its estates, cellars, and medieval townscapes.