Château Couhins
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The only Bordeaux estate classified solely for white wine, now a pioneering organic research château
Château Couhins is a Grand Cru Classé de Graves estate located in Villenave-d'Ornon, within the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux. Uniquely owned by INRAE (the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment) since 1968, it is one of the few estates in Bordeaux classified solely for its white wine in the 1959 Graves Classification. The 35-hectare estate produces elegant dry white wines primarily from Sauvignon Blanc (95%) and Sauvignon Gris (5%). Under INRAE's stewardship, Château Couhins has become a beacon for sustainable viticulture, achieving full organic certification in 2022, and serves as a living laboratory for agroecological and agroforestry research in winemaking.
www.chateau-couhins.fr ↗Cuvées
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Who Is This For?
For Bordeaux enthusiasts and white wine lovers who seek a uniquely classified, scientifically managed estate producing elegant, terroir-driven Sauvignon Blanc with outstanding ageing potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Château Couhins unique among Bordeaux classified estates?
- Château Couhins is one of the very few Bordeaux estates classified exclusively for its white wine in the 1959 Graves Classification, and it is owned by INRAE, France's national agricultural research institute, making it both a premier wine estate and a living scientific laboratory.
- What grape varieties does Château Couhins use?
- The estate's white wine is made from 95% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Sauvignon Gris, producing wines with delicate floral aromas, white fruit notes, vibrant freshness, and remarkable persistence on the palate.
- Is Château Couhins organic?
- Yes. Château Couhins achieved full organic certification in 2022, following a conversion that began in 2019. The estate is also pioneering agroecology and agroforestry practices to preserve biodiversity and soil health in its vineyard.
- How long should Château Couhins white wine be aged?
- The estate recommends cellaring their white wines for 3 to 6 years, with the optimal drinking window being 6 to 12 years after the vintage.
- Who owns Château Couhins?
- Château Couhins has been owned by INRAE (Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, formerly INRA) since 1968, which uses the estate as a research platform for sustainable viticulture innovation.