Cadillac is village in the south of the Bordeaux region of France. It is located on the north bank of the Garonne river, opposite Cerons and just north of Loupiac. Geographically, Cadillac is a logical part of the large Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux appellation, but the presence of chalk and gravel soils here mark it out as a distinct area, capable of producing wines of particular character. It was formally recognized as an independent appellation in 1973. There are now two controlled appellations which apply to wines made here - AOC Cotes de Bordeaux - Cadillac, for red wines and straight AOC Cadillac for sweet white wines.
The area is more famous for its AOC Cadillac wines. These are sweet or medium-sweet white wines, made from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle, which by law must reach specific levels of residual sugar, and minimum alcohol levels of 12%.
To qualify for the AOC Cadillac label, wines must be made from grapes be grown in the communes of Baurech, Beguey, Cadillac, Capian, Cardan, Donzac, Gabarnac, Haux, Langoiran, Laroque, Lestiac, Le Tourne, Monprimblanc, Omet, Paillet, Rions, Saint-Germain-de-Grave, Saint-Maixant, Semens, Tabanac, Verdelais et Villenave-de-Rions.
Red wines from Cadillac previously fell under the Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux appellation but they now fall under the Cotes de Bordeaux appellation, created in 2009. These must be made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc or Merlot, with a minority proportion of Malbec, Carmenere or Petit Verdot. The grapes for these red wines may come from the villages listed above, and seventeen additional villages.
The Cotes de Bordeaux appellation also applies to certain wines from Blaye, Francs and Castillon.
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