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Summary

They’re hotbeds of innovation, experimentation, affordability and sustainability. For as much as they fly under the radar, the Côtes de Bordeaux are instigating and leading a dynamic kind of change in the world’s largest fine wine region.

So what are the Côtes de Bordeaux? Where are they? And who are all these mostly family-run, smaller-scale producers who together produce 1 in 10 bottles of Bordeaux?

In this, the concluding instalment of our 3-part sponsored mini-series on Bordeaux, we dive in to find out more about the intriguing world of the Côtes de Bordeaux. We hear from Bordeaux expert Jane Anson and chat to Pauline Lapierre of Château Haut-Rian, plus we recommend some great value wines along the way.

Thanks for listening!

Starring

• Jane Anson
• Pauline Lapierre of Château Haut-Rian
• Susie & Peter

Wines

• Château Pré la Lande Cuvée TerraCotta 2016, Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux, 13.5% (was £16.99 Majestic – also €15 France, Germany)
• Arbo Malbec 2018, Côtes de Bordeaux, 14% (was £13.99 Averys – €17 Ireland)
• Château la Clarière 2018, Castillon, 14% (£25 Laithwaites)
• Château Monconseil Gazin 2018, Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux, 13% (£9.50 Wine Society – low stocks!)
• Château Haut-Rian Bordeaux rosé 2019 (£11.99, The Wine Library)
• Le Franc Touch 2020 by Château Carbonneau, Sainte Foy Côtes de Bordeaux, 14% (€22 from chateau)

Previous episodes in this mini-series

Tune into our previous episodes on Bordeaux, full of fascinating chat, opinion and interviews, which also feature everything from bats to non fungible tokens via robots, ‘heavy metal’ orange wine and the ULTIMATE breakfast cocktail.