With its cobbled streets and ancient limestone cellars, Saint-Émilion is one of the wine world’s most beautiful medieval fortified towns. It also produces more wine than any other right-bank Bordeaux area. Not so long ago the region was known for its overly rustic, gamey, often coffee-bean scented claret, but like everywhere else in Bordeaux, standards have risen as lower yields, riper grapes and plot-by-plot selection have become routine. The plump, plummy merlot grape, with its fleshy, easy-to-appreciate sweet, raisiny fruit, is the dominant Saint-Émilion grape; supported by red curranty cabernet franc and, occasionally, a dab of austere cabernet sauvignon. Perhaps owing to the friendly, hospitable locals, plus the attractive qualities of the merlot grape and the town itself, Saint-Émilion erroneously acquired a reputation for being…

Source: The Times November 05, 2016 00:03 UTC