Definition: Bergerac

This vineyard in south-western France is sometimes thought to belong to Bordeaux, given its proximity.

Its wines were already being exported to England before the Hundred Years' War! The best wines have a garnet or ruby colour and are fruity and well-balanced. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Fer Servadou and Mérille grapes, they are aged for between 2 and 8 years. Bergerac also produces dry or semi-sweet white wines and pleasant, light rosés.

The Bergerac vineyard: 13 AOCs

The Bergerac vineyards cover more than 12,000 hectares spread over 93 communes. They stretch out on both sides of the Dordogne: on the right bank, they are terraced with soils covered with gravel, sand and alluvial deposits. The left bank, which is particularly sunny, often has a more pronounced relief marked by a succession of hillsides, where limestone and clay-limestone soils predominate.

Area:

12,700 ha, or 2.6% of the AOC wine-growing area of Aquitaine (141,000 ha). Average size of estates: 11 to 12.

Production:

Average production 610,690 hl, 57% red, 39% white, of which 18% dry white, 13% sweet white and 8% sweet white.

The people:

1,149 winegrowers, 45% of whom are independent and 55% of whom are grouped into cooperatives (producing 31% of total production).

Exports:

15% of AOC sales.

Miscellaneous:

6 cooperative wineries.

A rare wine-growing region in France that produces as much white wine as red wine (52% red, 48% white), Bergerac offers extreme diversity with its 13 AOCs (Appellations d'Origine Contrôlée).

AOC Bergerac and Côtes de Bergerac

The AOC Bergerac red, Bergerac dry, Bergerac rosé, Côtes de Bergerac red and Côtes de Bergerac sweet wines can be produced throughout the wine-growing region, unlike the other appellations of the Bergerac vineyards, which come from clearly defined geographical areas.

Côtes de Bergerac wines are made from each winegrower's best selections.

AOC Pécharmant, AOC Rosette, AOC Monbazillac, AOC Saussignac, AOC Côtes de Montravel, AOC Haut Montravel, AOC Montravel.

Overview of appellations

BERGERAC Bergerac Red and Rosé

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot Noir, Côte or Malbec are the grape varieties that define the Bergerac red and rosé AOCs. Fine, supple and fruity, they are the expression of the terroir. Bergerac Sec This dry white wine is a blend of Sémillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle, Ondenc and Chenin Blanc. With a clear, bright colour, fresh and pleasantly bouqueted, it is distinguished by its lively attack and good length on the palate.

Côtes de Bergerac

Côtes de Bergerac Red Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot Noir, Côt and Malbec give Côtes de Bergerac red wines their intense dark colour. Well-structured, they offer aromas of candied fruits such as prunes. Their exceptional tannic structure makes them excellent for ageing. Côtes de Bergerac White Semillon is the grape variety of choice for this golden-coloured wine, which combines remarkable aromatic freshness and roundness on the palate. It can be drunk young but takes on remarkable depth with age. Côtes de Bergerac White wines are divided into three categories: semi-dry, medium-sweet and sweet, depending on their sugar content.

PECHARMANT

Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Côt or Malbec and Merlot Noir are the grape varieties used to produce the Pécharmant appellation. The incomparable taste of Pécharmant comes from the unique characteristics of its soil, known as Périgord sand and gravel, which contains a deep layer of ferruginous clay called "Tran". Pécharmant is a wine with great character, powerful charm and intense aromas, ideal for ageing.

ROSETTE

Essentially a blend of three grape varieties, Sémillon, Sauvignon and Muscadelle, AOC Rosette is a white wine with a slightly straw-coloured robe. Mellow, supple and round, this unique wine is of rare elegance. It is distinguished by its particular terroir on the north-facing slopes of the valley.

MONBAZILLAC

Made from a blend of three grape varieties, Sémillon, Sauvignon and Muscadelle, AOC Monbazillac is harvested by hand and sorted several times to select only those grapes affected by the famous and miraculous "noble rot". With a fabulous golden colour that darkens with age, the particularly elegant Monbazillac is dominated by aromas of honey, acacia and peach, enhanced by nuances of citrus and candied mirabelle plums.

SAUSSIGNAC

AOC Saussignac white wine is made from a blend of Sémillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle, Ondenc and Chenin blanc. This full-bodied, rich wine, with aromas of acacia, peach and goat's leaf, develops a generous and complex bouquet over time. Sweet because it is made from raisined grapes, it can, by way of exception, be syrupy when the grapes are botrytised (such as AOC Haut Montravel).

MONTRAVEL

Montravel Sémillon, Muscadelle, with a large predominance of Sauvignon, are the three grape varieties used to make Montravel wines. AOC Montravel wines (dry whites) are aromatic with a generous structure on the palate. Haut Montravel AOC Haut Montravel white wine is fine and smooth, with great concentration. Sweet because it is made from raisined grapes, it can, by way of derogation, be syrupy when the grapes are botrytised (like AOC Saussignac). Côtes de Montravel AOC Côtes de Montravel wines are sweet, with great aromatic complexity and floral notes. Montravel Rouge The wines must be made from a blend of the following grape varieties, to the exclusion of any others: -Merlot N representing at least 50% of the vineyard; -Cabernet Sauvignon N; -Cabernet Franc N; -Cot N; The planting density must be at least 5,000 vines per hectare, with a maximum spacing of 2 metres between rows and 1 metre between vines. Montravel red wines must be aged for at least fifteen months. The wines are approved after bottling, with a personalised bottle engraved with IN MONTE REVELATIONEM.