Dordogne Wine and Vineyards
This area of the Dordogne is known as The Purple Périgord taken from the colour of the grapes that produce some of France’s most famous wines – the full-bodied reds (Rouge) of Bergerac and the sweet white Monbazillacs.
All varieties of wine is produced in the region surrounding the villa including Bordeaux, St Emilion, Bergerac, and Monbazillac.
The Wines of the Bergerac Region
The vineyards of the Bergerac region consist of 13 Controlled Appellations of Origin (AOC) areas confirming its diversity. The wines produced can either be red or dry, semi-sweet, or sweet whites.
Red Wines
Red Bergerac – The production area for Red Bergerac covers all districts with vineyards and stretches over the hillsides and plateaus. Red Bergerac can be produced from the entire vineyard area. Red Côtes de Bergerac is made up of selections of the best wine in the aforementioned area.
Pécharmant – The ideal soil for the production of Pécharmant forms a semicircle stretching across four parishes to the northeast of the town of Bergerac.
Dry White Wines
White Bergerac – Widely established on both banks of the Dordogne, the soil producing White Bergerac stretches over the plains bordering the river and some of the hillsides.
Montravel - Situated in the extreme western end of the Department of the Dordogne, the Montravel soil is the furthest away from the town of Bergerac and encompasses 14 parishes.
Semi-sweet White Wines
Côtes de Bergerac – These wines are essentially produced from the Sémillon grape variety coming from the entire vineyard area.
Haut-Montravel – Like the Côtes de Montravel, these wines are produced at the extreme western end of the Department, but specifically along the approaches to the river.
Rosette – The Rosette wines are cultivated on the sunny hillsides dominating the landscape to the north of the town of Bergerac.
Côtes de Montravel – These wines are slightly sweet and constitute the perfect transition between Montravel (dry wine) and the Haut-Montravel (sweeter in style).
Saussignac – This is a pocket-sized area dominating the valley between the vineyards of Monbazillac and the first AOC vineyards of Bordeaux.
Sweet White Wines
Monbazillac – The Monbazillac vineyards are situated on the south bank of the Dordogne, facing the town of Bergerac spreading over the hillsides facing north on terraces between 50 and 180 meters above sea level.
The Vineyards
Here are just a few of the vineyards located close to the property that are definitely worth the visit.
Chateau de Monbazillac – a major wine producer only 5 miles from the villa
The Monbazillac wine is a vins liquoreux (sweet dessert wine) that uses mostly Sémillon grapes. Although you can get a variety of other types of wines from the Château and its cooperative – including Bergerac reds.
Château Le Bondieu
Located in St-Antoine-de-Breuilh, this vineyard has been known for producing very fine reds in recent years.
Château Court-les-Muts
Located in Razac-de-Saussignac produces some very fine moelleux wine. This vineyard also bottles some nice reds and white AOC Bergerac.
Château Tourdes Gendres
Located in Ribagnac is a very reputable vineyard with excellent whites and reds.
Domaine
de Laulan
It was in 1974 that Gilbert Geoffroy bought the Domaine de Laulan. Step by step he replanted the white wine vineyards and increased their size to 30 hectares. In 1985 he introduced stainless steel vats and controlled fermentation, and in 1988 he started fermenting his best cuvees in oak barrels. For instance, another white from the Domaine, Cuvee Emile Chariot, is an outstanding Cotes de Duras with a textured vanilla complexity. This is recognized as one of the top Domaines in the Duras area with Duc de Laulan is its best known.
Cloître de Récollets
In the middle of Bergerac.
Clos Les Côtes
In the Pécharmant region of Bergerac wine which is renown for its AOC wines. This vineyard won awards for its Pécharmant in 1992.
Château de Tiregand
In Creysse (also in the Pécharmant region), is best known for its fine white AOC Bergerac.
