There are 3,950 hectares (9,760 acres) of vineyards planted to red wine grape varieties, 65 percent of which is Merlot. There are just 29ha (71.5 acres) of white varieties led by Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard and Semillon.

The soil types of the Côtes de Bourg are a mixture of clay, sand and gravel in varying proportions; this is to be expected, given Bourg’s location near the confluence of the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. The Merlot grape dominates the vineyards here. It thrives in the areas with cooler, moist, clay-rich soils, while Cabernet Sauvignon does better in the gravel and sand dominant parts of the Côtes de Bourg.

Like Blaye, just to the north, Bourg produces wines that are of good quality, yet significantly less expensive than other Bordeaux wines. Historically, the region has produced heavier, robust red wines. The appellation’s wines are now more approachable, softer and fruit-forward, due to changes in winemaking techniques and philosophies, and to satisfy changes in taste among consumers. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are used to add complexity and structure, and Malbec is sometimes used for color. The wines are of a younger-drinking style, but will also age reasonably well for five to ten years.